Appetizer
Appetizer is a free, open-source application launcher dock for Windows that organizes shortcuts and folders.
What Appetizer is
Appetizer is a free, open-source application launcher dock for Windows that organizes shortcuts and folders. A wizard imports shortcuts from different locations, and icons can be arranged by drag and drop or grouped in menus. The dock can be resized and displayed horizontally or vertically, with small, large, or extra-large icons, custom icons, and skins; two skins are included. It supports launching multiple items, a hotkey to hide or show the dock, and minimizing it to the tray. Special items provide controls such as showing or hiding the desktop, opening the Recycle Bin, or opening Control Panel. With the standard PortableApps.com folder structure, it should detect apps in PortableApps and documents in Documents. Version 1.4 is offered as a Windows installer or ZIP package for portable use; the ZIP can be unpacked to a hard drive or USB stick, with settings saved in the application directory. The download page lists Windows 2000, XP, and Vista. Plugins add optional functions, but require a restart to enable them.
Good
- Imports shortcuts with a setup wizard.
- Dock supports horizontal or vertical layouts.
- Can launch multiple items and hide with a hotkey.
- ZIP package can run from a USB stick.
Watch out
- Download page lists Windows 2000, XP, and Vista.
- Plugins require a restart to enable.
- Forum registration is closed.
Who it suits
Appetizer may suit Windows users who want a customizable dock to organize and launch shortcuts, including portable apps. Its ZIP option and application-directory settings may be useful for users who want to carry it on a USB stick.
Verdict
Appetizer offers shortcut organization, dock customization, and portable ZIP packaging for Windows. Its listed compatibility is limited to older Windows versions, and plugins require restarting the dock.
Plans and prices
From Appetizer's own pricing page, checked 11 Oct 2026.
| Plan | Price | What it gives you |
|---|---|---|
| Appetizer | Free | Free open-source application launcher for Windows |
The facts
Each one read from Appetizer's own pages, with the date it was checked.
What it does
- Customization
- The dock supports plugins, multiple skins, custom icons, and horizontal or vertical layouts.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Dock layout
- The dock can be resized and display icons horizontally or vertically.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Download formats
- The maker offers version 1.4 as a Windows installer and a ZIP package for portable use, with settings saved in the application directory.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Help and API
- Help files are bundled with the executable and offered in several languages, and the site links to plugin creation guidance and an API reference.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Icons and skins
- It supports small, large, and extra-large icons, custom icons, and multiple skins, with two included.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Launch controls
- Features include multi-launch, a hotkey to hide or show the dock, and minimizing the dock to the tray.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Launch features
- Appetizer supports multi-launch and a hotkey to hide or show the dock.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Open source
- The maker describes Appetizer as open source and says it will remain free.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Organization
- Users can drag and drop icons, group shortcuts in menus, and use a wizard to import shortcuts from various locations.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Plugin examples
- Available plugins include Securizer for encrypting and decrypting documents on a USB key, a shortcut grouping menu item, and a plugin to close Appetizer after launching an app.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Plugin installation
- Plugins are installed from the Configuration window's plugin tab using a .zpl file, and Appetizer must be restarted to enable them.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Plugins
- Available plugins include document encryption and decryption for a USB key, adding icons to groups, closing the dock after launching an app, revealing a shortcut target, and hiding the dock on startup.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Portable package
- The ZIP package can be unzipped to a hard drive or USB stick, and settings are saved in the application directory.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- Appetizer is a free application launcher, or dock, for Windows that organizes shortcuts and folders.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Shortcut organization
- A wizard imports shortcuts from various locations, and icons can be organized by drag and drop or regrouped in a menu.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Special items
- Special items can provide access to functions such as showing or hiding the desktop, Recycle Bin, and Control Panel.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Support
- Forum registration is closed because of spam, and the site says users may contact the maker if needed.checked 11 Oct 2026
The company
- Maker
- The site copyright identifies Laurent Cozic.checked 11 Oct 2026
Where it runs
- PortableApps detection
- With the standard PortableApps.com folder structure, Appetizer should detect apps in “PortableApps” and documents in “Documents” automatically.checked 11 Oct 2026
- PortableApps support
- When using the standard PortableApps.com folder structure, Appetizer should detect its apps and documents automatically.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Supported Windows versions
- The download page says the latest version works on Windows 2000, XP, and Vista.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Windows compatibility
- The download page says version 1.4 works on Windows 2000, XP, and Vista.checked 11 Oct 2026
Alternatives to Appetizer
- 1
Raycast
Free planiOSAPIExtensionmacOS7.9From $96 a year - 2
Alfred
Free planiOSAPImacOS7.7£34 one-time - 3
Launchy
Free planOpen sourceAndroidAPILinuxmacOS7.7Free plan - 4
Dropzone
Free planAPImacOS7.4Free plan - 5
PortableApps.com Platform
Free planOpen sourceLinuxmacOSWindows7.4Free plan - 6
True Launch Bar
Free planWindows7.3$19.90 one-time