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Best Productivity ResourcesBy Shushant LakhyaniVerified creator

Desktop App

Raycast

A launcher that turns your Mac or Windows PC into a command palette.

Visit Raycast4.9

  • Rating

    4.9 / 5

  • Pricing

    Freemium

  • Difficulty

    Beginner

  • Works on

    macOS, Windows, iOS

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What is Raycast?

Raycast replaces Spotlight with an extensible launcher: search files, run scripts, control apps, manage clipboard history and trigger AI, all without leaving the keyboard. It runs on Mac and Windows, with a companion iPhone app.

Pros: what Raycast does well

  • Saves dozens of clicks a day
  • Massive extension store
  • Free tier is generous

Cons: where it falls short

  • Best experience is macOS
  • Extensions vary in quality

What people use Raycast for

  • Opening apps, files and websites from one keyboard shortcut instead of clicking through folders
  • Keeping a searchable clipboard history and reusable text snippets
  • Snapping and resizing windows with keyboard commands
  • Adding extensions from the Raycast Store for tools such as GitHub, Linear or Notion

How to get started

  1. 1Download Raycast for Mac from raycast.com, or install the Windows app from the Microsoft Store or with WinGet.
  2. 2Set a hotkey to open Raycast and type the name of any app, file or command.
  3. 3Try the built-in commands first: clipboard history, snippets, window management and the calculator.
  4. 4Browse the Store and install the extensions for the apps you use every day.

Raycast pricing

Raycast has a Free plan with the core launcher, clipboard history, snippets, window management and Store extensions, but no AI. Paid Pro, Plus and Max plans add Raycast AI and more, and teams have their own Free, Pro, Plus and Max plans plus Enterprise. See current prices on Raycast's site

Checked 2026-10-31. Prices change, so double-check before you pay.

Raycast FAQ: quick answers

Is Raycast free?
Yes. The Free plan covers the launcher, clipboard history, snippets, window management and thousands of Store extensions. AI features need a paid plan.
Is Raycast available on Windows?
Yes. Raycast for Windows can be installed from the Microsoft Store or WinGet and needs Windows 10 21H2 or later, or Windows 11. Raycast says some Mac features are still being brought over.
Does Raycast work offline?
Most core features work offline. Quick AI and AI Chat need an internet connection.

Compare Raycast

See how Raycast stacks up, side by side, plus the lists it made.

Raycast alternatives

Not sold on Raycast? These do a similar job, and each card says what it has in common.

All Workflows resources

Kando

Focus: pie menu, open source and github. Shares launcher and shortcuts with Raycast. Free (Raycast: Freemium). Adds Linux and Offline. Rated 4.6 (Raycast: 4.9).

Desktop AppFreeWindows, macOS
4.6Visit

keyd

Focus: key remapping, linux and open source. Shares keyboard and shortcuts with Raycast. Free (Raycast: Freemium). Adds Linux. Rated 4.5 (Raycast: 4.9).

OtherFreeLinux
4.5Visit

Quicksilver

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).

Mac AppFreemacOS
4.5Visit

Kanata

Focus: keyboard remapping, ergonomics and open source. Shares shortcuts with Raycast. Free (Raycast: Freemium). Adds Linux and Offline. Rated 4.5 (Raycast: 4.9).

Desktop AppFreemacOS, Windows
4.5Visit

Alfred

Focus: keyboard shortcuts, workflows and raycast alternative. Shares launcher with Raycast. A Mac app, not a desktop app. Rated 4.7 (Raycast: 4.9).

Mac AppFree planmacOS
4.7Visit

Karabiner-Elements

Focus: keyboard remapping, hyper key and macos. Shares shortcuts with Raycast. A Mac app, not a desktop app. Free (Raycast: Freemium). Rated 4.7 (Raycast: 4.9).

Mac AppFreemacOS
4.7Visit

Free alternatives to Raycast

Want to spend nothing? These free picks cover similar ground.

Microsoft PowerToys

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).

Windows AppFreeWindows
4.7Visit

yabai

Focus: window manager, tiling and macos. Shares keyboard with Raycast. A Mac app, not a desktop app. Free (Raycast: Freemium). Rated 4.5 (Raycast: 4.9).

Mac AppFreemacOS
4.5Visit

AutoHotkey

Focus: hotkeys, macros and scripting. Also in Automation and Personal Productivity, like Raycast. Free (Raycast: Freemium). Adds Offline. Rated 4.7 (Raycast: 4.9).

Desktop AppFreeWindows, Offline
4.7Visit

Starship

Focus: shell prompt, terminal and developer tool. Also in Personal Productivity and Workflows, like Raycast. Free (Raycast: Freemium). Adds Linux and Offline. Rated 4.7 (Raycast: 4.9).

Desktop AppFreemacOS, Windows
4.7Visit

Alacritty

Focus: terminal, command line and gpu. Also in Personal Productivity and Workflows, like Raycast. Free (Raycast: Freemium). Adds Linux. Rated 4.6 (Raycast: 4.9).

Desktop AppFreemacOS, Windows
4.6Visit

fish shell

Focus: terminal, shell and command line. Also in Personal Productivity and Workflows, like Raycast. Free (Raycast: Freemium). Adds Linux. Rated 4.6 (Raycast: 4.9).

Desktop AppFreemacOS, Linux
4.6Visit
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