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Head-to-head · App Launcher Software

Flow Launcher vs Quicksilver

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 5 checks side by side
Higher score Flow Launcher #6 in App Launcher Software 8.6/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 3 of 5 features Visit Flow Launcher
Quicksilver #7 in App Launcher Software 8.5/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 4 of 5 features Visit Quicksilver

Flow Launcher leads on 0 checks, Quicksilver on 0, and 5 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 5 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreFlow Launcher · 8.6/10
  • Free planboth
  • Most featuresQuicksilver · 4 of 5

Flow Launcher scores higher on our rubric for app launcher software: 8.6 against 8.5 out of 10; our editors rank them #6 and #7.

On supported platforms, Quicksilver gives you Macos where Flow Launcher offers Windows.

Flow Launcher is the better fit for windows users wanting an extensible launcher. Quicksilver is the better fit for mac users who want keyboard-driven automation.

  • Flow Launcher fits best

    Windows users wanting an extensible launcher

  • Quicksilver fits best

    Mac users who want keyboard-driven automation

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Side by side

Feature Flow Launcher 8.6/10 Visit ↗ Quicksilver 8.5/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.6 8.5
Ranking #6 in App Launcher Software #7 in App Launcher Software
Best for Windows users wanting an extensible launcher Mac users who want keyboard-driven automation
Pricing model Free Free
Starting price Free plan Free plan
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Deployment Desktop Desktop
Platforms Windows macOS
Integrations 4 integrations 8 integrations
Features Flow Launcher 3/5 · Quicksilver 4/5
File search ✓ ✓
Command launching ✓ ✓
Workflow support Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Plugin support ✓ ✓
Cloud sync Not checked yet Not checked yet
Specs
Supported platforms Windows Macos
Shortcut limit Not checked yet Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • Search apps, files, file contents, bookmarks, web, and Windows settings
  • Launch system commands, run shell commands, and use a calculator
  • Extend search and automation with community plugins and integrations
  • 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
  • Windows only, with support for Windows 10 and later
  • Search of local files and contents relies on Everything or Windows Search
  • Cloud synchronization and configured multi-step workflow support are not verified
  • Available only on macOS
  • Catalog sources require configuration to shape what Quicksilver indexes
  • Some integrations and capabilities depend on its plugin system
Our verdict

Flow Launcher is a free, open-source launcher for Windows users who want one search interface for apps, files, bookmarks, web searches, and system settings. It also handles system commands, shell execution, and calculator tasks.…

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 →
  1. Flow LauncherApp Launcher Software 8.6Free plan
  2. QuicksilverApp Launcher Software 8.5Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Flow Launcher — where it wins

    • Search apps, files, file contents, bookmarks, web, and Windows settings
    • Launch system commands, run shell commands, and use a calculator
    • Extend search and automation with community plugins and integrations

    Where it doesn't

    • Windows only, with support for Windows 10 and later
    • Search of local files and contents relies on Everything or Windows Search
    • Cloud synchronization and configured multi-step workflow support are not verified

  • 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

More comparisons

All app launcher software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update