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Head-to-head · App Launcher Software

Raycast vs Quicksilver

  • 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
Quicksilver #7 in App Launcher Software 8.5/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 4 of 5 features Visit Quicksilver

Raycast leads on 0 checks, Quicksilver on 0, and 6 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 8.5 out of 10; our editors rank them #1 and #7.

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

Raycast is the better fit for cross-platform power users. Quicksilver is the better fit for mac users who want keyboard-driven automation.

  • Raycast fits best

    Cross-platform power users

  • Quicksilver fits best

    Mac users who want keyboard-driven automation

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature Raycast 9.4/10 Visit ↗ Quicksilver 8.5/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.4 8.5
Ranking #1 in App Launcher Software #7 in App Launcher Software
Best for Cross-platform power users Mac users who want keyboard-driven automation
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 macOS
Integrations 10 integrations 8 integrations
Features Raycast 5/5 · Quicksilver 4/5
File search ✓ ✓
Command launching ✓ ✓
Workflow support ✓ ✓
Plugin support ✓ ✓
Cloud sync ✓ (best) Not checked yet
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 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
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 on macOS
  • Catalog sources require configuration to shape what Quicksilver indexes
  • Some integrations and capabilities depend on its plugin system
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 →

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 →
  1. RaycastApp Launcher Software 9.4Free plan · 7-day trial
  2. QuicksilverApp Launcher Software 8.5Free 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.
  • 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

More comparisons

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update