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Whisker Menu vs KRunner: catalog facts
Whisker Menu	KRunner
Best for: Xfce desktop users who want a searchable start menu	Best for: KDE Plasma users who want a keyboard launcher already in their desktop
Free Free and distributed as an Xfce panel plugin.	Free Free and open source as part of KDE Plasma.
Linux	Linux
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	Built into Plasma, with no extra install on most setups Extended by plugins called runners All 3 strengths for KRunner Built into Plasma, with no extra install on most setups Extended by plugins called runners Shows recently used programs for quick relaunch
Only works as a plugin for the Xfce panel	Tied to the KDE Plasma desktop Some runners need an extra addons package All 3 limitations for KRunner Tied to the KDE Plasma desktop Some runners need an extra addons package Many active runners can slow its start
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 Whisker Menu docs.xfce.org/panel-plugins/xfce4-whiskermenu-plugin/start Catalog checked October 2, 2026	Official website Full listing and sources Sources for KRunner userbase.kde.org/Plasma/Krunner Catalog checked October 1, 2026

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