Head-to-head · App Launcher Software
Launchy vs dmenu
Launchy 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 scoreLaunchy · 8.3/10
- Free planboth
- Most featuresLaunchy · 4 of 5
Launchy scores higher on our rubric for app launcher software: 8.3 against 7.1 out of 10; our editors rank them #9 and #21.
On supported platforms, Launchy gives you Cross-platform where dmenu offers Linux. Launchy offers file search; dmenu doesn't. Launchy offers workflow support; dmenu doesn't. Launchy offers plugin support; dmenu doesn't.
Launchy is the better fit for users needing broad platform coverage. dmenu is the better fit for minimal scriptable Linux menus.
- Launchy fits best
Users needing broad platform coverage
- dmenu fits best
Minimal scriptable Linux menus
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Side by side
| Feature | Launchy 8.3/10 Visit ↗ | dmenu 7.1/10 Visit ↗ |
|---|---|---|
| At a glance | ||
| Editor score | 8.3 | 7.1 |
| Ranking | #9 in App Launcher Software | #21 in App Launcher Software |
| Best for | Users needing broad platform coverage | Minimal scriptable Linux menus |
| Pricing model | Free | Free |
| Starting price | Free plan | Free plan |
| Free plan | ✓ | ✓ |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Deployment | Desktop, Mobile | Desktop |
| Platforms | Windows, macOS, Linux, Android | Linux |
| Integrations | 2 integrations | 2 integrations |
| Features Launchy 4/5 · dmenu 1/5 | ||
| File search | ✓ (best) | — |
| Command launching | ✓ | ✓ |
| Workflow support | ✓ (best) | — |
| Plugin support | ✓ (best) | — |
| Cloud sync | Not checked yet | — |
| Specs | ||
| Supported platforms | Cross-platform | Linux |
| Shortcut limit | Not checked yet | Not checked yet |
| Our review | ||
| Pros |
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| Cons |
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| Our verdict | 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 → |
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 → |
Strengths and trade-offs
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
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
- Launchy8.3/10 · Free plan
A free, cross-platform launcher for finding apps, files, and web searches by keyboard.
Visit LaunchyFull verdict → - dmenu7.1/10 · Free plan
A free, open-source launcher for typed menu filtering and PATH-based command execution.
Visit dmenuFull verdict →
All app launcher software comparisons → · Full ranking →
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Last updated · How we research and update