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Head-to-head · App Launcher Software

Raycast vs dmenu

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 6 checks side by side
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
dmenu #21 in App Launcher Software 7.1/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 1 of 5 features Visit dmenu

Raycast leads on 4 checks, dmenu on 0, and 2 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 scoreRaycast · 9.4/10
  • Free planboth
  • Free trialonly Raycast
  • Most featuresRaycast · 5 of 5

Raycast scores higher on our rubric for app launcher software: 9.4 against 7.1 out of 10; our editors rank them #1 and #21.

On supported platforms, Raycast gives you Cross-platform where dmenu offers Linux. Raycast offers file search; dmenu doesn't. Raycast offers workflow support; dmenu doesn't. Raycast offers plugin support; dmenu doesn't. Raycast offers cloud sync; dmenu doesn't.

Raycast is the better fit for cross-platform power users. dmenu is the better fit for minimal scriptable Linux menus.

  • Raycast fits best

    Cross-platform power users

  • dmenu fits best

    Minimal scriptable Linux menus

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Side by side

Feature Raycast 9.4/10 Visit ↗ dmenu 7.1/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.4 7.1
Ranking #1 in App Launcher Software #21 in App Launcher Software
Best for Cross-platform power users Minimal scriptable Linux menus
Pricing model Free plan + paid Free
Starting price $10/mo Free plan
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial 7 days —
Deployment Desktop, Mobile Desktop
Platforms macOS, Windows, iOS Linux
Integrations 10 integrations 2 integrations
Features Raycast 5/5 · dmenu 1/5
File search ✓ (best) —
Command launching ✓ ✓
Workflow support ✓ (best) —
Plugin support ✓ (best) —
Cloud sync ✓ (best) —
Specs
Supported platforms Cross-platform Linux
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.
  • 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
Cons
  • AI features are not included in the Free plan.
  • Cloud Sync is limited to paid plans.
  • Paid plans start at $10 per month.
  • No file search, workflow support, or plugin support
  • Built for the X Window System, not a general cross-platform launcher
  • No cloud sync
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 →

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 →
  1. RaycastApp Launcher Software 9.4Free plan · 7-day trial
  2. dmenuApp Launcher Software 7.1Free plan

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.

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

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

    Visit RaycastFull verdict →
  • dmenu7.1/10 · Free plan

    A free, open-source launcher for typed menu filtering and PATH-based command execution.

    Visit dmenuFull verdict →

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