Alternatives
Best Free Alternatives to Raycast
Raycast is free for core features on Mac and Windows, but you may want something simpler, open source or more familiar. These free launchers and utilities cover the same ground, from keyboard launchers to clipboard history and window snapping.
Short answer
The best free alternatives to Raycast are Alfred, Microsoft PowerToys and Flow Launcher. Of the 11 alternatives here, 10 are completely free and 1 has a free plan.
Updated
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11 free Raycast alternatives
Every pick is free or has a usable free plan. Pricing and features change, so check each tool's own site before you switch.
- 1
A classic Mac launcher that is free forever, with an optional Powerpack.
Why it stands out: Free core launcher with no time limit
Compared with Raycast: Focus: keyboard shortcuts, workflows and raycast alternative. Shares launcher with Raycast. A Mac app, not a desktop app. Rated 4.7 (Raycast: 4.9).
Best for Professionals, Developers, Personal Use · Mac App
- 2
Free, open-source Windows utilities including the Command Palette launcher.
Why it stands out: Free and open source from Microsoft
Compared with Raycast: Focus: command palette, windows utilities and open source. Shares launcher with Raycast. A Windows app, not a desktop app. Free (Raycast: Freemium). Rated 4.7 (Raycast: 4.9).
Best for Developers, Professionals, Personal Use · Windows App
- 3
A free, open-source quick launcher for Windows with a plugin store.
Why it stands out: Free and open source
Compared with Raycast: Focus: file search, plugins and open source. Shares launcher with Raycast. A Windows app, not a desktop app. Free (Raycast: Freemium). Rated 4.6 (Raycast: 4.9).
Best for Developers, Professionals, Personal Use · Windows App
- 4
A free, open-source keystroke launcher for Windows, macOS and Linux.
Why it stands out: Free and open source (MIT)
Compared with Raycast: Focus: keyboard shortcuts, open source and raycast alternative. Shares launcher with Raycast. Free (Raycast: Freemium). Adds Linux. Rated 4.3 (Raycast: 4.9).
Best for Developers, Professionals, Personal Use · Desktop App
- 5
The legendary keyboard launcher that lets you control your Mac quickly and elegantly.
Why it stands out: Blazing-fast keyboard control of your Mac
Compared with Raycast: Focus: macos and open source. Shares launcher and keyboard with Raycast. A Mac app, not a desktop app. Free (Raycast: Freemium). Rated 4.5 (Raycast: 4.9).
Best for Professionals, Developers, Personal Use · Mac App
- 6
A productivity booster and a global search tool.
Why it stands out: Highly customizable with a vast array of plugins
Compared with Raycast: Focus: Search Tool, Open Source and Productivity Booster. Shares Launcher with Raycast. Free (Raycast: Freemium). Adds Linux. Rated 4.3 (Raycast: 4.9).
Best for Developers, Professionals · Desktop App
- 7
A lightweight, open-source clipboard manager for Mac.
Why it stands out: Free and open source (MIT)
Compared with Raycast: Focus: clipboard manager, clipboard history and open source. Also in Workflows and Personal Productivity, like Raycast. A Mac app, not a desktop app. Free (Raycast: Freemium). Rated 4.6 (Raycast: 4.9).
Best for Developers, Writers, Professionals · Mac App
- 8
Free, open-source window snapping for Mac with keyboard shortcuts.
Why it stands out: Free and open source
Compared with Raycast: Focus: window manager, window snapping and open source. Also in Personal Productivity and Workflows, like Raycast. A Mac app, not a desktop app. Free (Raycast: Freemium). Rated 4.7 (Raycast: 4.9).
Best for Developers, Professionals, Personal Use · Mac App
- 9
Window management made elegant for macOS.
Why it stands out: Radial menu makes window snapping fast and satisfying
Compared with Raycast: Focus: macos, window manager and productivity. Shares keyboard with Raycast. A Mac app, not a desktop app. Free (Raycast: Freemium). Rated 4.8 (Raycast: 4.9).
Best for Personal Use, Professionals, Developers · Mac App
- 10
Free, open-source menu bar toolkit for macOS with eighteen tools in one panel.
Why it stands out: Replaces a dozen single-purpose menu bar apps
Compared with Raycast: Focus: macos, menu bar and utilities. Also in Personal Productivity and Focus, like Raycast. A Mac app, not a desktop app. Free (Raycast: Freemium). Rated 4.5 (Raycast: 4.9).
Best for Personal Use, Professionals, Developers · Mac App
- 11
Free and open-source macOS menu bar toolkit.
Why it stands out: Free and open source
Compared with Raycast: Focus: macos, menu bar and utilities. Also in Personal Productivity, like Raycast. A Mac app, not a desktop app. Free (Raycast: Freemium). Rated 4.5 (Raycast: 4.9).
Best for Personal Use, Professionals · Mac App
Frequently asked questions
- Is Raycast free?
- Raycast has a free plan, with paid plans that unlock more features or usage.
- What is the best free alternative to Raycast?
- Alfred is our first pick. A classic Mac launcher that is free forever, with an optional Powerpack. Alfred has a free plan, with paid plans that unlock more features or usage.
- Which Raycast alternatives are completely free?
- Microsoft PowerToys, Flow Launcher, ueli, Quicksilver, Cerebro, Maccy, Rectangle, Loop, hop and vorssaint-utils are completely free. The rest have a free plan with paid upgrades.
- Which alternatives work on the same platforms as Raycast?
- Raycast lists macOS, Windows and iOS. Alfred, Microsoft PowerToys, Flow Launcher, ueli and Quicksilver and 6 others share at least one of those platforms.
Head-to-head comparisons
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