Raycast vs Flow Launcher

Raycast9.4Visit Flow Launcher8.6Visit

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

Flow Launcher #6 in App Launcher Software 8.6/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 3 of 5 features Visit Flow Launcher

• Raycast fits best

  Cross-platform power users

• Flow Launcher fits best

  Windows users wanting an extensible launcher

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Side by side

Feature	Raycast 9.4/10 Visit ↗	Flow Launcher 8.6/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	9.4	8.6
Ranking	#1 in App Launcher Software	#6 in App Launcher Software
Best for	Cross-platform power users	Windows users wanting an extensible launcher
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	Windows
Integrations	10 integrations	4 integrations
Features Raycast 5/5 · Flow Launcher 3/5
File search	✓	✓
Command launching	✓	✓
Workflow support	✓ (best)	Not checked yet
Plugin support	✓	✓
Cloud sync	✓ (best)	Not checked yet
Specs
Supported platforms	Cross-platform	Windows
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.	Search apps, files, file contents, bookmarks, web, and Windows settings Launch system commands, run shell commands, and use a calculator Extend search and automation with community plugins and integrations
Cons	AI features are not included in the Free plan. Cloud Sync is limited to paid plans. Paid plans start at $10 per month.	Windows only, with support for Windows 10 and later Search of local files and contents relies on Everything or Windows Search Cloud synchronization and configured multi-step workflow support are not verified
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 →	Flow Launcher is a free, open-source launcher for Windows users who want one search interface for apps, files, bookmarks, web searches, and system settings. It also handles system commands, shell execution, and calculator tasks.… 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.

• Flow Launcher — where it wins

  • Search apps, files, file contents, bookmarks, web, and Windows settings
  • Launch system commands, run shell commands, and use a calculator
  • Extend search and automation with community plugins and integrations

  Where it doesn't

  • Windows only, with support for Windows 10 and later
  • Search of local files and contents relies on Everything or Windows Search
  • Cloud synchronization and configured multi-step workflow support are not verified

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

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

  Visit RaycastFull verdict →
• Flow Launcher8.6/10 · Free plan

  A customizable Windows launcher that brings apps, files, commands, and plugins into search.

  Visit Flow LauncherFull verdict →