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Head-to-head · App Launcher Software

Keypirinha vs dmenu

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 6 checks side by side
Higher score Keypirinha #5 in App Launcher Software 8.7/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 4 of 5 features Visit Keypirinha
dmenu #21 in App Launcher Software 7.1/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 1 of 5 features Visit dmenu

Keypirinha leads on 3 checks, dmenu on 0, and 3 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 6 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreKeypirinha · 8.7/10
  • Free planboth
  • Most featuresKeypirinha · 4 of 5

Keypirinha scores higher on our rubric for app launcher software: 8.7 against 7.1 out of 10; our editors rank them #5 and #21.

On supported platforms, dmenu gives you Linux where Keypirinha offers Windows. Keypirinha offers file search; dmenu doesn't. Keypirinha offers workflow support; dmenu doesn't. Keypirinha offers plugin support; dmenu doesn't.

Keypirinha is the better fit for windows users who prefer keyboard-driven search. dmenu is the better fit for minimal scriptable Linux menus.

  • Keypirinha fits best

    Windows users who prefer keyboard-driven search

  • dmenu fits best

    Minimal scriptable Linux menus

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Side by side

Feature Keypirinha 8.7/10 Visit ↗ dmenu 7.1/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.7 7.1
Ranking #5 in App Launcher Software #21 in App Launcher Software
Best for Windows users who prefer keyboard-driven search Minimal scriptable Linux menus
Pricing model Free Free
Starting price Free plan Free plan
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Deployment Desktop Desktop
Platforms Windows Linux
Integrations 4 integrations 2 integrations
Features Keypirinha 4/5 · dmenu 1/5
File search ✓ (best) —
Command launching ✓ ✓
Workflow support ✓ (best) —
Plugin support ✓ (best) —
Cloud sync Not checked yet —
Specs
Supported platforms Windows Linux
Shortcut limit Not checked yet Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • Searches apps, files, bookmarks, URLs, sessions, and registry keys
  • Configurable filesystem catalogs include scan paths, filters, and depth limits
  • Python-based plugins and installable packages extend its functionality
  • Filters newline-separated items and returns the selection on standard output
  • dmenu_run launches programs found in the user’s PATH
  • Supports keyboard navigation, multi-monitor selection, and custom appearance
Cons
  • Windows only
  • Configuration is file-based, with separate machine- and user-specific files
  • The application is freeware, not open source
  • No file search, workflow support, or plugin support
  • Built for the X Window System, not a general cross-platform launcher
  • No cloud sync
Our verdict

Keypirinha is a Windows desktop launcher for people who want to find and open items from the keyboard. Its catalog covers applications, files, bookmarks, URLs, sessions, and registry keys, with additional tools for browsing, web and…

Read the review →

For Unix desktop users and developers who want a compact, keyboard-controlled menu, dmenu provides a straightforward way to filter choices and launch commands. It reads newline-separated items from standard input, narrows the list as text…

Read the review →
  1. KeypirinhaApp Launcher Software 8.7Free plan
  2. dmenuApp Launcher Software 7.1Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Keypirinha — where it wins

    • Searches apps, files, bookmarks, URLs, sessions, and registry keys
    • Configurable filesystem catalogs include scan paths, filters, and depth limits
    • Python-based plugins and installable packages extend its functionality

    Where it doesn't

    • Windows only
    • Configuration is file-based, with separate machine- and user-specific files
    • The application is freeware, not open source

  • dmenu — where it wins

    • Filters newline-separated items and returns the selection on standard output
    • dmenu_run launches programs found in the user’s PATH
    • Supports keyboard navigation, multi-monitor selection, and custom appearance

    Where it doesn't

    • No file search, workflow support, or plugin support
    • Built for the X Window System, not a general cross-platform launcher
    • No cloud sync
  • Keypirinha8.7/10 · Free plan

    A free Windows launcher with broad catalog search, configurable indexing, and Python plugins.

    Visit KeypirinhaFull verdict →
  • dmenu7.1/10 · Free plan

    A free, open-source launcher for typed menu filtering and PATH-based command execution.

    Visit dmenuFull verdict →

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