Recoll is free desktop full-text search software for finding documents by content or file name.
Best Desktop Search Software in 2026
Finding a file by its contents, an email, or a message calls for different search coverage. Compare content, email, message and OCR search, along with which locations can be indexed and any indexed-item limits. Free plans and paid-from prices help clarify access, while supported platforms matter for the devices you use. Recoll and Open Semantic Desktop Search are among the options, as are Buddi and DocFetcher.…
GitHub CodeQL is a language and toolchain for analyzing code as data.
Open Semantic Desktop Search is free, open-source software for searching and analyzing large document collections.
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Agent Ransack
Agent Ransack is a Windows tool for searching files on a PC or network drives.
Free planWindows6.6$20 one-time - 5
Magpie
Magpie is a free, open-source window upscaling tool for Windows, supporting both fullscreen and windowed scaling.
Free planWindows6.6Free plan - 6
WizFile
WizFile is a Windows file finder that searches by file name, path, size, and date.
Free planWindows6.6$20 one-time - 7
Everything
Everything is a Windows search tool for locating files and folders by name.
Free planWindows6.5From $49 a year - 8
FileSeek
FileSeek is a Windows file-search app that accepts simple queries, regular expressions, or advanced text queries.
Free planWindows6.5$19 one-time - 9

FoxTrot Search
iOSmacOS6.5$35 one-time - 10
Listary
Listary is a Windows file search tool and app launcher that finds files and folders by name, path, or format, then ranks results according to usage habits.
Free planWindows6.5$19.95 one-time - 11
UltraSearch
UltraSearch is a Windows file-search tool that finds names and contents across local storage, company networks, and SharePoint.
Free planWindows6.5From $30 a year - 12

Lookeen
WebSelf-hostedWindows6.4 - 13
ProFind
iOSmacOS6.4$6.99 one-time - 14
dtSearch Desktop
dtSearch Desktop searches files accessible from a Windows computer, with local and network index locations.
Windows6.2From $1,225 a year - 15
HoudahSpot
macOS6.2 - 16
PowerGREP
Windows6.2£119 one-time - 17
Scherlokk
macOS6.2From $9.95 a year - 18
Windows File Recovery
Windows File Recovery is a free command-line app for trying to recover deleted files from local storage when they cannot be restored from the Recycle Bin.
Free planWindows6.2Free plan - 19

X1 Search
Windows6.2From $79 a year - 20

Copernic Desktop Search
Windows6.1From $28.99 a year - 21

DocFetcher
DocFetcher is a free, open-source desktop application for searching inside files stored on a computer.
Free planLinuxmacOSWindows6.1Free plan - 22

FileLocator Pro
FileLocator Pro searches documents and other files to help locate information in source code, log files, legal briefs, and more.
APIWindows6.1$79 one-time - 23
Precision File Search
Precision File Search is a free desktop application for searching, classifying, and understanding local files on Windows, macOS, and Linux.
Free planLinuxmacOSWindows6.1Free plan - 24
Find Any File
macOS6.0$6 one-time - 25
EasyFind
EasyFind is a free macOS utility from DEVONtechnologies for locating files and folders.
Free planmacOS5.9Free plan
