Head-to-head · Desktop Search Software
Open Semantic Desktop Search vs FileLocator Pro
Open Semantic Desktop Search leads on 1 check, FileLocator Pro on 0, and 4 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 scoreOpen Semantic Desktop Search · 7.7/10
- Free planonly Open Semantic Desktop Search
- Free trialonly FileLocator Pro
Open Semantic Desktop Search scores higher on our rubric for desktop search software: 7.7 against 7.5 out of 10; our editors rank them #12 and #14.
Open Semantic Desktop Search offers free plan; FileLocator Pro doesn't.
Open Semantic Desktop Search is the better fit for free search across mixed document stores. FileLocator Pro is the better fit for windows professionals needing indexed and live search.
- Open Semantic Desktop Search fits best
Free search across mixed document stores
- FileLocator Pro fits best
Windows professionals needing indexed and live search
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Side by side
| Feature | Open Semantic Desktop Search 7.7/10 Visit ↗ | FileLocator Pro 7.5/10 Visit ↗ |
|---|---|---|
| At a glance | ||
| Editor score | 7.7 | 7.5 |
| Ranking | #12 in Desktop Search Software | #14 in Desktop Search Software |
| Best for | Free search across mixed document stores | Windows professionals needing indexed and live search |
| Pricing model | Free | Paid |
| Starting price | Free plan | $79/user one-time |
| Free plan | ✓ (best) | — |
| Free trial | — | 30 days |
| Deployment | Desktop, Self-hosted | Desktop |
| Platforms | Web, Windows, macOS, Linux | Windows |
| Support | Docs | Email, Docs |
| Built for | Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise | Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise |
| Features Open Semantic Desktop Search 3/4 · FileLocator Pro 3/4 | ||
| Content search | ✓ | ✓ |
| Email search | ✓ | ✓ |
| Message search | Not checked yet | — |
| OCR search | ✓ | ✓ |
| Specs | ||
| Supported platforms | web, windows, macos, linux | Windows |
| Index locations | local folders, file servers, file shares | local, network |
| Indexed-item limit | Not checked yet | Not checked yet |
| Our review | ||
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| Our verdict | Open Semantic Desktop Search is a free, open-source search engine for individual desktop users, researchers, and organizations managing heterogeneous document collections. It indexes content from local folders, file servers, and file… Read the review → |
FileLocator Pro is a Windows desktop search tool from Mythicsoft Ltd for professionals who need to locate information across local and network files. It searches both file names and contents, including PDF, Office documents, text files,… Read the review → |
Strengths and trade-offs
Open Semantic Desktop Search — where it wins
- Full-text, faceted, OCR, and exploratory search
- Indexes documents, media files, and Outlook PST mailboxes
- Previews, tagging, annotation, and filesystem monitoring
Where it doesn't
- Distributed as a VirtualBox virtual machine
- Setup may require configuring folders and indexed sources
- Verified integration breadth is limited
FileLocator Pro — where it wins
- Searches indexed and non-indexed local or network content
- Covers email, archives, OCR, previews, reports, and exports
- Offers shareable indexes plus command-line, .NET, and COM integration
Where it doesn't
- Windows-only platform limits cross-platform use
- No free plan; the 30-day trial precedes paid licensing
- Technician and floating licenses cost more than the Standard License
- Open Semantic Desktop Search7.7/10 · Free plan
A capable free search layer for mixed local, shared, and email archives.
Visit Open SemanticFull verdict → - FileLocator Pro7.5/10 · 30-day trial
A deep Windows search tool with perpetual licensing and broad file-format coverage.
Try FileLocator ProFull verdict →
All desktop search software comparisons → · Full ranking →
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Last updated · How we research and update