Raycast vs Alfred

Raycast9.4Visit Alfred8.9Visit

Higher score Raycast #1 in App Launcher Software 9.4/10 Free plan · 7-day trial Free planFree trial✓ 5 of 5 features Visit Raycast

vs

Alfred #3 in App Launcher Software 8.9/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 5 of 5 features Visit Alfred

• Raycast fits best

  Cross-platform power users

• Alfred fits best

  Mac users who want keyboard-driven automation

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Side by side

Feature	Raycast 9.4/10 Visit ↗	Alfred 8.9/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	9.4	8.9
Ranking	#1 in App Launcher Software	#3 in App Launcher Software
Best for	Cross-platform power users	Mac users who want keyboard-driven automation
Pricing model	Free plan + paid	Free plan + paid
Starting price	$10/mo	£34 one-time
Free plan	✓	✓
Free trial	7 days	—
Deployment	Desktop, Mobile	Desktop
Platforms	macOS, Windows, iOS	macOS
Integrations	10 integrations	4 integrations
Features Raycast 5/5 · Alfred 5/5
File search	✓	✓
Command launching	✓	✓
Workflow support	✓	✓
Plugin support	✓	✓
Cloud sync	✓	✓
Specs
Supported platforms	Cross-platform	Macos
Shortcut limit	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Our review
Pros	Search apps and files, then launch URLs and tools with Quicklinks. Run system and script commands, with hotkeys and aliases. Thousands of extensions, plus AI and Cloud Sync on paid plans.	Launch applications, navigate local files, and run web or custom searches. Powerpack adds configurable workflows, clipboard history, and snippets. One-time Powerpack licenses start at £34, with a free core app.
Cons	AI features are not included in the Free plan. Cloud Sync is limited to paid plans. Paid plans start at $10 per month.	Available only for macOS. Preference syncing requires Powerpack and a locally synced file service. Free lifetime upgrades are limited to the £59 Mega Supporter license.
Our verdict	Raycast brings application and file search, Quicklinks, and system tools into a keyboard-first launcher. It is aimed at power users who want to open apps and files, run commands, and extend a launcher with workflows rather than rely on… Read the review →	Alfred is a keyboard-driven launcher for macOS, aimed at Mac users who want to open apps, find files, search the web, and trigger actions without leaving the keyboard. Its free core covers application launching and search, while Powerpack… Read the review →

Strengths and trade-offs

• Raycast — where it wins

  • Search apps and files, then launch URLs and tools with Quicklinks.
  • Run system and script commands, with hotkeys and aliases.
  • Thousands of extensions, plus AI and Cloud Sync on paid plans.

  Where it doesn't

  • AI features are not included in the Free plan.
  • Cloud Sync is limited to paid plans.
  • Paid plans start at $10 per month.

• Alfred — where it wins

  • Launch applications, navigate local files, and run web or custom searches.
  • Powerpack adds configurable workflows, clipboard history, and snippets.
  • One-time Powerpack licenses start at £34, with a free core app.

  Where it doesn't

  • Available only for macOS.
  • Preference syncing requires Powerpack and a locally synced file service.
  • Free lifetime upgrades are limited to the £59 Mega Supporter license.

• Raycast9.4/10 · Free plan · 7-day trial

  Raycast combines app and file search with commands, extensions, and optional AI.

  Visit RaycastFull verdict →
• Alfred8.9/10 · Free plan

  A capable Mac launcher whose Powerpack adds automation and productivity tools.

  Visit AlfredFull verdict →