LaunchBar vs Quicksilver

LaunchBar8.8Visit QQuicksilver8.5Visit

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

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

• LaunchBar fits best

  Mature Mac launcher users

• Quicksilver fits best

  Mac users who want keyboard-driven automation

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature	LaunchBar 8.8/10 Visit ↗	QQuicksilver 8.5/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	8.8	8.5
Ranking	#4 in App Launcher Software	#7 in App Launcher Software
Best for	Mature Mac launcher users	Mac users who want keyboard-driven automation
Pricing model	Free plan + paid	Free
Starting price	—	Free plan
Free plan	✓	✓
Free trial	30 days	—
Deployment	Desktop	Desktop
Platforms	macOS	macOS
Integrations	20 integrations	8 integrations
Features LaunchBar 4/5 · Quicksilver 4/5
File search	✓	✓
Command launching	✓	✓
Workflow support	✓	✓
Plugin support	✓	✓
Cloud sync	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Specs
Supported platforms	Macos	Macos
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.	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. Family License is limited to one household and non-commercial use. The free mode includes occasional breaks.	Available only on macOS Catalog sources require configuration to shape what Quicksilver indexes Some integrations and capabilities depend on its plugin system
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 →	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

• 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.

• 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

• 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 →
• QQuicksilver8.5/10 · Free plan

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

  Visit QuicksilverFull verdict →