DocFetcher

Visit site Alternatives

Score7.2

Rank#4 of 59

PriceFree

Free planYes

Runs onLinux, macOS, Windows

Summary

DocFetcher is a free, open-source desktop application for searching inside files stored on a computer. It shows a text preview of each selected result and highlights matching passages. Searches can be narrowed by file size, file type, or location, and the query language includes Boolean operators, wildcards, phrase and fuzzy searches, proximity search, and boosting. Supported content includes office files, Outlook PST, OpenOffice, PDF, EPUB, HTML, plain text, RTF, media metadata, Visio, and SVG. It can also search ZIP, 7z, RAR, and tar archives, including archives nested within other archives. Users create folder indexes themselves. The app detects file changes while open, and a background process records changes while it is closed for processing at the next launch. Portable editions keep indexes and settings in the application folder and can be moved between computers. The maker says DocFetcher collects no private data and indexes nothing by default. It runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux. New features are not planned, but bug fixes and support continue.

Who it is for

DocFetcher suits people who want free local-file content search on Windows, macOS, or Linux and are comfortable creating indexes for folders. Its portable versions may suit users who want to carry their index and settings between computers.

What is good

Searches many document formats and nested archives.
Filters results by file size, type, and location.
Portable versions can be moved between computers.
The maker says it collects no private data.

What to know first

Users must create folder indexes.
OCR search is not supported.
No new features are planned.

Verdict

DocFetcher offers broad local search and filtering at no cost, with portable versions for all three supported desktop platforms. Its legacy status and need to create indexes are important considerations.

DocFetcher plans and pricing

All plans

DocFetcher Free Free and open source · desktop search for local files · requires users to create indexes for folders docfetcher.sourceforge.io · 30 Sept 2026

Compared on desktop search software

Free plan: Yesdocfetcher.sourceforge.io
Supported platforms: Windows, macOS, Linuxdocfetcher.sourceforge.io
Index locations: local, removable, synceddocfetcher.sourceforge.io
Content search: Yesdocfetcher.sourceforge.io
Email search: Yesdocfetcher.sourceforge.io
OCR search: Nodocfetcher.sourceforge.io

Facts

Purpose: DocFetcher is an open-source desktop search application for searching the contents of files on a computer.docfetcher.sourceforge.io · 30 Sept 2026
Search results: It displays results with a text-only preview of the selected file and highlights matches.docfetcher.sourceforge.io · 30 Sept 2026
Filters: Search results can be filtered by minimum or maximum file size, file type, and location.docfetcher.sourceforge.io · 30 Sept 2026
Query syntax: Its query syntax supports AND, OR, NOT, wildcards, phrase search, fuzzy search, proximity search, and boosting.docfetcher.sourceforge.io · 30 Sept 2026
File support: Supported formats include Microsoft Office, Outlook PST, OpenOffice, PDF, EPUB, HTML, plain text, RTF, AbiWord, CHM, media metadata, Visio, and SVG.docfetcher.sourceforge.io · 30 Sept 2026
Archive support: It supports ZIP, 7z, RAR, and tar archives, including unlimited nesting of archives.docfetcher.sourceforge.io · 30 Sept 2026
Portable versions: Portable versions for Windows, Linux, and macOS store indexes and settings in the application folder, and the maker says they can be moved between computers.docfetcher.sourceforge.io · 30 Sept 2026
Privacy: The maker states that DocFetcher does not collect private data and indexes nothing by default.docfetcher.sourceforge.io · 30 Sept 2026
Indexing: Users must create indexes for folders; the maker says indexing is typically about 200 files per minute and subsequent updates usually take a couple of seconds.docfetcher.sourceforge.io · 30 Sept 2026
Automatic updates: DocFetcher detects file changes while running, and a background daemon records changes while it is closed for processing the next time it starts.docfetcher.sourceforge.io · 30 Sept 2026
Platforms: The current download page lists Windows 7 SP1 or later (64-bit), Linux with GTK3 (64-bit), and macOS 11 or later as minimum requirements.docfetcher.sourceforge.io · 30 Sept 2026
Distribution: The maker offers portable and non-portable downloads and also points to PortableApps and a Linux snap package.docfetcher.sourceforge.io · 30 Sept 2026
License: DocFetcher is distributed under the Eclipse Public License and is described by the maker as free and open source.docfetcher.sourceforge.io · 30 Sept 2026
Support and development: The project wiki says no new features are planned for DocFetcher, only bug fixes; questions can be posted in its forum.sourceforge.net · 30 Sept 2026
Publisher history: The official DocFetcher Pro site says the free original was first published in 2007 and is now legacy software, while still receiving bug fixes and support.docfetcherpro.com · 30 Sept 2026