Comparison of desktop application launchers
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An application launcher is a computer program that helps a user to locate and start other computer programs. An application launcher provides shortcuts to computer programs, and stores the shortcuts in one place so they are easier to find.
In the comparison of desktop application launchers below, each section treats a different desktop environment.
Android
Windows
These desktop application launchers work with Microsoft Windows operating systems only.
| Creator | Latest stable version | Release date | Software license | Open source | Programming language | Plug-in support | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Appetizer | Laurent Cozic | 1.4.6.494 | February 13, 2010 | GPL | Yes | C++, wxWidgets | Yes |
| ASuite | SalvadorSoftware | 2.0 | April 20, 2020 | GPL | Yes | Delphi | No |
| Classic Shell | Ivo Beltchev | 4.3.1 | August 12, 2017 | MIT | Yes | C++ | Yes |
| Microsoft PowerToys Run | Microsoft | 0.73.0 | August 23, 2023 | MIT | Yes | C++, C# | Yes |
| PortableApps.com Platform | Rare Ideas, LLC | 15.0.2 | May 17, 2018 | GPL | Yes | Delphi | No |
| SliderDock | Dimitri Roozendaal | 1.21 | October 11, 2010 | Creative Commons | No | ? | No |
Linux
These desktop application launchers work with Linux operating systems only.
| Creator | Latest stable version | Release date | OS | Software license | Open source | Programming language | Plug-in support | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9menu | Arnold Robbins | 1.8 | June 1, 2004 | Linux | GPL | Yes | C | No | |
| Avant Window Navigator | Neil J. Patel | 0.4.2 | November 27, 2013 | Linux | GPL | Yes | C | Yes | |
| dmenu | dwm developers | 5.4 | August 9, 2025 | Linux | MIT | Yes | C | No | |
| GNOME Do | GNOME Do Developers | 0.95.1 | January 23, 2014 | Linux | GPL | Yes | C# | Yes | |
| Katapult | TDE Developers | R14.0.6 | March 5, 2019 | Linux with TDE | GPL | Yes | C++ | Yes | |
| Unity Dash | Canonical Ltd. | 7.3.0 | June 19, 2014 | Ubuntu | GPLv3 | Yes | Vala | Yes (lenses and scopes) | |
| Synapse | Michal Hruby and Alberto Aldegheri | 0.2.99.4 | April 8, 2018 | Linux | GPLv3 | Yes | Vala | Yes |
macOS
These desktop application launchers work with the Apple macOS operating system only.
| Creator | Latest stable version | Release date | Software license | Open source | Programming language | Plug-in support | Runs on macOS Catalina | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alfred | Running with Crayons | 5.5 | March 18, 2024 | Proprietary | No | Objective-C | Yes | Yes |
| Butler | Peter Maurer | 4.4.8 | January 8, 2024 | Proprietary | No | Objective-C | Yes | Yes |
| DragThing | James Thomson | 5.9.17 | November 16, 2016 | Proprietary | No | C++ | Yes | No |
| LaunchBar | Objective Development | 6.19.1 | July 5, 2024 | Proprietary | No | Objective-C | Yes | Yes |
| Quicksilver | Quicksilver Foundation | 2.4.2 | December 28, 2023 | Apache | Yes | Objective-C | Yes | Yes |
| Raycast | Raycast Technologies Ltd. | 1.79.0 | July 17, 2024 | Proprietary | No | Swift | Yes | Yes |
Cross platform
These desktop application launchers work with two or more different operating systems.
| Creator | Latest stable version | Release date | OS | Software license | Open source | Programming language | Plug-in support | Runs on macOS Catalina | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Launchy | Josh Karlin | 2.5.0 | April 4, 2010 | Windows, Linux, macOS | GPL | Yes | C++ (Qt) | Yes | No |
See also
- List of dock applications
- Novell ZENworks, software formerly named (and still informally termed) "Novell Application Launcher"
External links
- John Emmatty (November 2011)
- (in German) Anke Anlauf (14 January 2010), (roundup of MS Windows launchers), Softonic OnSoftware
- Peter (October 15, 2008) , linuxhaxor.net
- jdeslip (June 25, 2009) , Berkeley Linux Users Group
- Raymond (June 2016) , Raymond.cc computers, made easy