HoudahSpot
The facts below are what the maker publishes about HoudahSpot, checked and dated. Our editors have not written about it yet.
Plans and prices
From HoudahSpot's own pricing page, checked 11 Oct 2026.
| Plan | Price | What it gives you |
|---|---|---|
| Single-User License (upgrade) | $24, paid once | One named user · Unlimited computers · Upgrade from a previous version |
| Family License (upgrade) | $39, paid once | Family members in the same household · Personal use only · Upgrade from a previous version |
| Family License | — | Family members in the same household · Personal use only · Current major version |
| Single-User License | — | One named user · Unlimited computers · Current major version |
| Site License | Priced on request | Volume pricing for five or more users |
The facts
Each one read from HoudahSpot's own pages, with the date it was checked.
What it does
- Automation and integrations
- Searches can be automated with AppleScript and started from tools including Alfred, LaunchBar, and Butler.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Boolean searches
- Search criteria can be combined in boolean groups to match any, all, or none of a group's criteria.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Folder scope
- It can search multiple folders while including or excluding selected subfolders.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Intended users
- The maker describes HoudahSpot as an app for professionals and power users who work with thousands of files and have outgrown Finder and Spotlight.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Notable limitation
- Apple Mail search is unavailable on macOS Sonoma or newer.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Privacy and security
- The maker says app update checks transmit the app name and version, macOS version, a per-installation identifier, and, where applicable, license status; it also says its services use TLS connections and access controls.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- HoudahSpot searches Mac files using advanced criteria and Spotlight indexing.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Refunds
- The maker offers a 15-day money-back guarantee on purchases.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Results and previews
- Results can be shown as lists, icons, or thumbnails with customizable columns, and files can be previewed before opening.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Saved searches
- Search setups can be saved as templates for recurring searches, and named snippets can be reused in new searches.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Search criteria
- It can search by file name, text content, metadata, date, extension, tags, author, and other attributes.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Support
- Support is available by email, and the maker says it does not provide telephone support.checked 11 Oct 2026
- System requirements
- HoudahSpot 6.8 requires macOS 10.14 Mojave or newer with Spotlight indexing enabled and is optimized for Intel and Apple Silicon Macs.checked 11 Oct 2026
Money
- Trial behavior
- The app is free to try; demo mode displays a message and adds a delay when opening a file from search results.checked 11 Oct 2026
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