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Head-to-head · App Launcher Software

Quicksilver vs Launchy

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 5 checks side by side
Higher score Quicksilver #7 in App Launcher Software 8.5/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 4 of 5 features Visit Quicksilver
Launchy #9 in App Launcher Software 8.3/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 4 of 5 features Visit Launchy

Quicksilver leads on 0 checks, Launchy on 0, and 5 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 scoreQuicksilver · 8.5/10
  • Free planboth

Quicksilver scores higher on our rubric for app launcher software: 8.5 against 8.3 out of 10; our editors rank them #7 and #9.

On supported platforms, Launchy gives you Cross-platform where Quicksilver offers Macos.

Quicksilver is the better fit for mac users who want keyboard-driven automation. Launchy is the better fit for users needing broad platform coverage.

  • Quicksilver fits best

    Mac users who want keyboard-driven automation

  • Launchy fits best

    Users needing broad platform coverage

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Side by side

Feature Quicksilver 8.5/10 Visit ↗ Launchy 8.3/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.5 8.3
Ranking #7 in App Launcher Software #9 in App Launcher Software
Best for Mac users who want keyboard-driven automation Users needing broad platform coverage
Pricing model Free Free
Starting price Free plan Free plan
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Deployment Desktop Desktop, Mobile
Platforms macOS Windows, macOS, Linux, Android
Integrations 8 integrations 2 integrations
Features Quicksilver 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
  • 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
  • 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 on macOS
  • Catalog sources require configuration to shape what Quicksilver indexes
  • Some integrations and capabilities depend on its plugin system
  • 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

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 →

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 →
  1. QuicksilverApp Launcher Software 8.5Free plan
  2. LaunchyApp Launcher Software 8.3Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • 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

  • 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

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