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dtSearch Desktop

dtSearch Desktop searches files accessible from a Windows computer, with local and network index locations.

Place
#14 of 57
Score
6.2
dtSearch Desktop's website

What dtSearch Desktop is

dtSearch Desktop searches files accessible from a Windows computer, with local and network index locations. It is designed for desktop-accessible content and supports searches across formats including PDF, Microsoft Office files, email and nested attachments, compressed archives, and web data. The wider dtSearch product line offers more than 25 full-text and metadata search features, including federated search, relevancy ranking, multicolor hit highlighting, and forensics-oriented options. The company says its products can index over a terabyte of text in one index and search indexes during updates. A single-user Desktop license costs $249, paid once and allows one individual to use it on up to two computers. The annual single individual user “investigative” license costs $1,225 a year and has different installation terms. A 30-day evaluation is available for internal testing and development. The Desktop application does not include the developer API; its license includes one year of technical support and updates, subject to stated restrictions.

Good

  • Searches PDF, Office files, email, and archives.
  • Supports local and network indexes.
  • Includes a 30-day evaluation period.
  • Single-user license permits use on two computers.

Watch out

  • Windows is required.
  • No free plan is listed.
  • Desktop application excludes the developer API.
  • Trial use is limited to internal testing and development.

Who it suits

It suits Windows users who need to search local or network files, including email and document collections. The listed intended uses include legal research, e-discovery, forensics, government, finance, recruiting, and medical records.

Verdict

dtSearch Desktop is a Windows file-search application with broad listed format support and a range of search functions. Review its single-user terms and evaluation restriction before choosing a license.

Plans and prices

From dtSearch Desktop's own pricing page, checked 4 Oct 2026.

All about pricing
PlanPriceWhat it gives you
dtSearch Desktop — single user license$249, paid onceWindows required · one individual on up to two computers, used exclusively by that individual · single user @ $249
dtSearch Desktop — annual single individual user “investigative” license$1,225 a yearWindows required · one individual · successive installs on multiple machines only after uninstalling from the previous machine · includes an additional Desktop single-user license for personal use · annual single individual user “investigative” @ $1,225 covering one year

The facts

Each one read from dtSearch Desktop's own pages, with the date it was checked.

The company

Company history
dtSearch Corp. says it was incorporated in Virginia in 1991 and began marketing its first product in the first quarter of that year.checked 4 Oct 2026
Founded
1991checked 28 Sep 2026
Headquarters
The company's ordering information lists its address as 6852 Tulip Hill Terrace, Bethesda, Maryland 20816.checked 4 Oct 2026

What it does

Developer API
The Desktop end-user application does not include access to the developer API.checked 4 Oct 2026
File formats
The product line supports searching PDF, Microsoft Office, email and nested attachments, compressed archives, web data, and other listed formats.checked 4 Oct 2026
Index size
The company says its products can index over a terabyte of text in one index and search indexes during updates.checked 4 Oct 2026
Integrations
The official site lists SharePoint, Azure, AWS, and SQL or NoSQL data among supported data sources or integrations across the product line.checked 4 Oct 2026
Intended users
The company describes use across enterprise document and email search, legal research, e-discovery, forensics, government, finance, recruiting, and medical records.checked 4 Oct 2026
License limit
The standard single-user license allows one individual to use the software on up to two computers, exclusively by that individual.checked 4 Oct 2026
Purpose
dtSearch Desktop provides instant searching of desktop-accessible files.checked 4 Oct 2026
Search features
The product line offers more than 25 full-text and metadata search features, including federated search, relevancy ranking, multicolor hit highlighting, and forensics-oriented options.checked 4 Oct 2026
Security and trust
The maker describes secure Intranet searching across the product line; its documented Windows permission behavior applies specifically to dtSearch Web.checked 4 Oct 2026
Support
A Desktop license includes technical support for one year to a single point of contact in the licensee organization.checked 4 Oct 2026
Updates
The license agreement provides maintenance releases, new versions, and upgrades for one year from the agreement date, subject to third-party supplier restrictions and charges.checked 4 Oct 2026

Where it runs

Platforms
dtSearch Desktop/Network supports Windows 8 through 11 and Windows Server 2012 through 2022; there is no macOS version of Desktop.checked 4 Oct 2026

Money

Trial
The evaluation version may be used for up to 30 days for evaluation and testing, and evaluation use is limited to internal testing and development purposes.checked 4 Oct 2026

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