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Head-to-head · App Launcher Software

Wox vs dmenu

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 6 checks side by side
Higher score Wox #2 in App Launcher Software 9.2/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 5 of 5 features Visit Wox
dmenu #21 in App Launcher Software 7.1/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 1 of 5 features Visit dmenu

Wox 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 scoreWox · 9.2/10
  • Free planboth
  • Most featuresWox · 5 of 5

Wox scores higher on our rubric for app launcher software: 9.2 against 7.1 out of 10; our editors rank them #2 and #21.

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

Wox is the better fit for free open-source desktop launching. dmenu is the better fit for minimal scriptable Linux menus.

  • Wox fits best

    Free open-source desktop launching

  • dmenu fits best

    Minimal scriptable Linux menus

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Side by side

Feature Wox 9.2/10 Visit ↗ dmenu 7.1/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.2 7.1
Ranking #2 in App Launcher Software #21 in App Launcher Software
Best for Free open-source desktop launching Minimal scriptable Linux menus
Pricing model Free Free
Starting price Free plan Free plan
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Deployment Desktop Desktop
Platforms Windows, macOS, Linux Linux
Integrations 4 integrations 2 integrations
Features Wox 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
  • Launch apps, folders, files, bookmarks, URLs, and system actions from search
  • Includes clipboard history, calculator, web search, notes, timers, and more
  • Supports plugins and encrypted cloud sync for settings, plugins, and themes
  • 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
  • The breadth of built-in tools may be more than a simple launcher requires
  • Plugin extensions may require Node.js, Python, or script-based systems
  • Cloud sync pricing and account-plan details are not specified
  • 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

Wox is a keyboard-first desktop launcher for Windows, macOS, and Linux. It is aimed at people who want one searchable interface for opening applications, folders, files, bookmarks, URLs, and system actions, rather than relying on separate…

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. WoxApp Launcher Software 9.2Free plan
  2. dmenuApp Launcher Software 7.1Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Wox — where it wins

    • Launch apps, folders, files, bookmarks, URLs, and system actions from search
    • Includes clipboard history, calculator, web search, notes, timers, and more
    • Supports plugins and encrypted cloud sync for settings, plugins, and themes

    Where it doesn't

    • The breadth of built-in tools may be more than a simple launcher requires
    • Plugin extensions may require Node.js, Python, or script-based systems
    • Cloud sync pricing and account-plan details are not specified

  • 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
  • Wox9.2/10 · Free plan

    Wox combines app launching, search, commands, plugins, and cloud sync in an open-source launcher.

    Visit WoxFull 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