Wox

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Score6.4

Rank#9 of 40

Free planNo

Runs onLinux, macOS, Windows

Summary

Wox is a keyboard-first desktop launcher for opening apps, finding files, and triggering everyday actions on Linux, macOS, and Windows. Built-in plugins cover app and file search, clipboard history, calculations, conversions, web search, notes, screenshots, timers, dictation, window layouts, and shell commands. Depending on a result, users can copy it, reveal a file, paste it, save it to Notes, or open it in another tool. Community plugins can extend Wox, with support for Node.js, Python, or scripts. It also includes AI chat and reusable AI commands, and its guide says users can configure AI providers. Released under the GPL-3.0 License, Wox is free. User data is stored under ~/.wox on macOS and Linux, or %USERPROFILE%\.wox on Windows. File Search returns paths only within configured roots that Wox can read. On Wayland, double-modifier and CapsLock-combo hotkeys require keyboard-event access through Linux evdev; CapsLock state restoration uses uinput. Feedback options include exporting diagnostics, reviewing crash reports, clearing logs, or opening a GitHub issue.

Who it is for

Wox suits desktop users who want keyboard-driven access to applications, files, actions, and customizable workflows. Its built-in tools and community plugins offer several ways to shape that workflow.

What is good

Free and released under the GPL-3.0 License.
Runs on Linux, macOS, and Windows.
Built-in tools include search, notes, timers, and screenshots.
Supports community plugins and configurable AI providers.

What to know first

File Search is limited to readable paths in configured roots.
Some Wayland hotkeys require evdev access.
CapsLock state restoration uses uinput.

Verdict

Wox combines a desktop launcher with built-in utilities, community plugins, and configurable AI features. Linux users relying on certain Wayland hotkeys should account for the required keyboard-event access.

Compared on app launcher software

Free plan: Yeswoxlauncher.com
Supported platforms: cross-platformwoxlauncher.com
File search: Yeswoxlauncher.com
Command launching: Yeswoxlauncher.com
Workflow support: Yeswoxlauncher.com
Plugin support: Yeswoxlauncher.com
Cloud sync: Yeswoxlauncher.com

Facts

Product: Wox is a keyboard-first desktop launcher for opening apps, finding files, capturing notes, taking screenshots, running timers, searching the web, reusing clipboard history, using AI, and adding plugins.woxlauncher.com · 30 Sept 2026
Open source: Wox is released under the GPL-3.0 License.woxlauncher.com · 30 Sept 2026
Platforms: The site lists Windows, macOS, and Linux as supported platforms.woxlauncher.com · 30 Sept 2026
Built-in tools: Built-in plugins include app and file search, clipboard, calculator, converter, web search, notes, screenshots, timers, dictation, window layouts, and shell commands.woxlauncher.com · 30 Sept 2026
Actions: Results can offer actions such as copying, revealing a file, pasting, saving to Notes, or opening an item in another tool.woxlauncher.com · 30 Sept 2026
Extensions: Users can install community plugins, and the project describes plugin support for Node.js, Python, or scripts.github.com · 30 Sept 2026
AI: Wox includes AI chat and reusable AI commands, and its guide says users can configure AI providers.woxlauncher.com · 30 Sept 2026
Data location: Wox stores user data under ~/.wox on macOS and Linux and %USERPROFILE%\.wox on Windows.woxlauncher.com · 30 Sept 2026
File search limit: File Search returns paths inside configured roots that are readable by Wox.woxlauncher.com · 30 Sept 2026
Linux hotkeys: On Wayland, double-modifier and CapsLock-combo hotkeys require access to keyboard events through the Linux evdev interface; CapsLock state restoration uses uinput.woxlauncher.com · 30 Sept 2026
Support: Users can export diagnostics, review crash reports, clear logs, or open a GitHub issue through the Feedback plugin.woxlauncher.com · 30 Sept 2026
Integrations: The v2.4.3 release notes list plugins for Linkding, GitHub, and Notion.github.com · 30 Sept 2026
Audience: Wox is presented as a desktop productivity launcher for people who want keyboard-driven access to apps, files, actions, and customizable workflows.woxlauncher.com · 30 Sept 2026