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Slingshot vs Whisker Menu: catalog facts
Slingshot	Whisker Menu
Best for: elementary OS and Pantheon desktop users	Best for: Xfce desktop users who want a searchable start menu
Free Free and included with elementary OS.	Free Free and distributed as an Xfce panel plugin.
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	Search starts as soon as the menu opens and also matches descriptions Favorites, recently used and category browsing in one menu All 3 strengths for Whisker Menu Search starts as soon as the menu opens and also matches descriptions Favorites, recently used and category browsing in one menu Drag and drop to reorder favorites
Designed for Pantheon and not meant for other desktops	Only works as a plugin for the Xfce panel
Downloadable app	Downloadable app
Not open source	Not 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 Whisker Menu docs.xfce.org/panel-plugins/xfce4-whiskermenu-plugin/start Catalog checked October 2, 2026

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