Alfred vs Quicksilver

Alfred8.9Visit QQuicksilver8.5Visit

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

vs

Q Quicksilver #7 in App Launcher Software 8.5/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 4 of 5 features Visit Quicksilver

• Alfred fits best

  Mac users who want keyboard-driven automation

• Quicksilver fits best

  Mac users who want keyboard-driven automation

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Side by side

Feature	Alfred 8.9/10 Visit ↗	QQuicksilver 8.5/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	8.9	8.5
Ranking	#3 in App Launcher Software	#7 in App Launcher Software
Best for	Mac users who want keyboard-driven automation	Mac users who want keyboard-driven automation
Pricing model	Free plan + paid	Free
Starting price	£34 one-time	Free plan
Free plan	✓	✓
Free trial	—	—
Deployment	Desktop	Desktop
Platforms	macOS	macOS
Integrations	4 integrations	8 integrations
Features Alfred 5/5 · Quicksilver 4/5
File search	✓	✓
Command launching	✓	✓
Workflow support	✓	✓
Plugin support	✓	✓
Cloud sync	✓ (best)	Not checked yet
Specs
Supported platforms	Macos	Macos
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.	Launch and search apps, files, folders, and bookmarks from the keyboard Perform file actions and run scripts without leaving the launcher Extend capabilities with plugins, clipboard history, and Shelf storage
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.	Available only on macOS Catalog sources require configuration to shape what Quicksilver indexes Some integrations and capabilities depend on its plugin system
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 →	Quicksilver is a free, open-source productivity application for macOS, aimed at people who want to launch apps and work with files through the keyboard. It can search applications, files, folders, and bookmarks, then take actions such as… 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.

• Quicksilver — where it wins

  • Launch and search apps, files, folders, and bookmarks from the keyboard
  • Perform file actions and run scripts without leaving the launcher
  • Extend capabilities with plugins, clipboard history, and Shelf storage

  Where it doesn't

  • Available only on macOS
  • Catalog sources require configuration to shape what Quicksilver indexes
  • Some integrations and capabilities depend on its plugin system

• Alfred8.9/10 · Free plan

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

  Visit AlfredFull verdict →
• QQuicksilver8.5/10 · Free plan

  A free Mac launcher that combines keyboard actions, file operations, scripts, and plugins.

  Visit QuicksilverFull verdict →