LaunchBar vs Launchy

LaunchBar8.8Visit LLaunchy8.3Visit

Higher score LaunchBar #4 in App Launcher Software 8.8/10 Free plan · 30-day trial Free planFree trial✓ 4 of 5 features Visit LaunchBar

vs

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

• LaunchBar fits best

  Mature Mac launcher users

• Launchy fits best

  Users needing broad platform coverage

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Side by side

Feature	LaunchBar 8.8/10 Visit ↗	LLaunchy 8.3/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	8.8	8.3
Ranking	#4 in App Launcher Software	#9 in App Launcher Software
Best for	Mature Mac launcher users	Users needing broad platform coverage
Pricing model	Free plan + paid	Free
Starting price	—	Free plan
Free plan	✓	✓
Free trial	30 days	—
Deployment	Desktop	Desktop, Mobile
Platforms	macOS	Windows, macOS, Linux, Android
Integrations	20 integrations	2 integrations
Features LaunchBar 4/5 · Launchy 4/5
File search	✓	✓
Command launching	✓	✓
Workflow support	✓	✓
Plugin support	✓	✓
Cloud sync	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Specs
Supported platforms	Macos	Cross-platform
Shortcut limit	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Our review
Pros	Searches apps, documents, bookmarks and indexed items by adaptive abbreviation. Combines filesystem actions, clipboard history and ClipMerge with web search. Supports custom scriptable actions, Automator workflows and terminal commands.	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. Family License is limited to one household and non-commercial use. The free mode includes occasional breaks.	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	LaunchBar is a keyboard-driven launcher and productivity utility for Mac users who want more than a way to open applications. Its adaptive abbreviation search covers applications, documents, bookmarks and other indexed items, while… 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

• LaunchBar — where it wins

  • Searches apps, documents, bookmarks and indexed items by adaptive abbreviation.
  • Combines filesystem actions, clipboard history and ClipMerge with web search.
  • Supports custom scriptable actions, Automator workflows and terminal commands.

  Where it doesn't

  • Available only for macOS.
  • Family License is limited to one household and non-commercial use.
  • The free mode includes occasional breaks.

• 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

• LaunchBar8.8/10 · Free plan · 30-day trial

  A broad Mac launcher for users who want search, file actions, clipboard history and custom workflows.

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

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

  Visit LaunchyFull verdict →