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Slingshot vs COSMIC Launcher: catalog facts
Slingshot	COSMIC Launcher
Best for: elementary OS and Pantheon desktop users	Best for: COSMIC desktop users who launch apps from the keyboard
Free Free and included with elementary OS.	Free Free and open source as part of the COSMIC desktop.
Linux	Linux
Integrated with the Pantheon panel and desktop Type-to-search for installed applications All 3 strengths for Slingshot Integrated with the Pantheon panel and desktop Type-to-search for installed applications Ships by default on elementary OS	Integrated with the COSMIC desktop Keyboard-first search for apps and commands All 3 strengths for COSMIC Launcher Integrated with the COSMIC desktop Keyboard-first search for apps and commands Actively developed and widely translated
Designed for Pantheon and not meant for other desktops	Designed for COSMIC, not other desktops Linux only
Downloadable app	Downloadable app
Not open source	Open source
License not stated	License not stated
No account needed	No account needed
Offline features available	Offline features available
Official website Full listing and sources Sources for Slingshot github.com/elementary/applications-menu Catalog checked October 2, 2026	Official website Full listing and sources Sources for COSMIC Launcher github.com/pop-os/cosmic-launcher Catalog checked October 2, 2026

“Not stated” means we have not confirmed it. Features can vary by device and plan.