Alfred vs Launchy

Alfred8.9Visit LLaunchy8.3Visit

Higher score Alfred #3 in App Launcher Software 8.9/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 5 of 5 features Visit Alfred

vs

L Launchy #9 in App Launcher Software 8.3/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 4 of 5 features Visit Launchy

• Alfred fits best

  Mac users who want keyboard-driven automation

• Launchy fits best

  Users needing broad platform coverage

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Side by side

Feature	Alfred 8.9/10 Visit ↗	LLaunchy 8.3/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	8.9	8.3
Ranking	#3 in App Launcher Software	#9 in App Launcher Software
Best for	Mac users who want keyboard-driven automation	Users needing broad platform coverage
Pricing model	Free plan + paid	Free
Starting price	£34 one-time	Free plan
Free plan	✓	✓
Free trial	—	—
Deployment	Desktop	Desktop, Mobile
Platforms	macOS	Windows, macOS, Linux, Android
Integrations	4 integrations	2 integrations
Features Alfred 5/5 · Launchy 4/5
File search	✓	✓
Command launching	✓	✓
Workflow support	✓	✓
Plugin support	✓	✓
Cloud sync	✓ (best)	Not checked yet
Specs
Supported platforms	Macos	Cross-platform
Shortcut limit	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Our review
Pros	Launch applications, navigate local files, and run web or custom searches. Powerpack adds configurable workflows, clipboard history, and snippets. One-time Powerpack licenses start at £34, with a free core app.	Indexes apps, documents, folders, bookmarks, and other local files Supports hotkeys, command aliases, web shortcuts, and plugins Runs on Windows, macOS, Linux, and Android-related releases
Cons	Available only for macOS. Preference syncing requires Powerpack and a locally synced file service. Free lifetime upgrades are limited to the £59 Mega Supporter license.	Firefox and Google are the only listed integrations Cataloging and file types require user configuration Feature breadth depends on plugins for additional actions
Our verdict	Alfred is a keyboard-driven launcher for macOS, aimed at Mac users who want to open apps, find files, search the web, and trigger actions without leaving the keyboard. Its free core covers application launching and search, while Powerpack… Read the review →	Launchy is a free, open-source application launcher for people who want to find and open programs and local files from a keyboard-driven search interface. It is available across Windows, macOS, Linux, and Android-related releases, making… Read the review →

Strengths and trade-offs

• Alfred — where it wins

  • Launch applications, navigate local files, and run web or custom searches.
  • Powerpack adds configurable workflows, clipboard history, and snippets.
  • One-time Powerpack licenses start at £34, with a free core app.

  Where it doesn't

  • Available only for macOS.
  • Preference syncing requires Powerpack and a locally synced file service.
  • Free lifetime upgrades are limited to the £59 Mega Supporter license.

• Launchy — where it wins

  • Indexes apps, documents, folders, bookmarks, and other local files
  • Supports hotkeys, command aliases, web shortcuts, and plugins
  • Runs on Windows, macOS, Linux, and Android-related releases

  Where it doesn't

  • Firefox and Google are the only listed integrations
  • Cataloging and file types require user configuration
  • Feature breadth depends on plugins for additional actions

• Alfred8.9/10 · Free plan

  A capable Mac launcher whose Powerpack adds automation and productivity tools.

  Visit AlfredFull verdict →
• LLaunchy8.3/10 · Free plan

  A free, cross-platform launcher for finding apps, files, and web searches by keyboard.

  Visit LaunchyFull verdict →