Alfred
7.7#2 in app launcher software£34 one-timeFree planiOSAPImacOS
VisitAlfred vs Launchy
What both publish
| Fact | Alfred | Launchy |
|---|---|---|
| Calculator | The calculator handles standard and advanced mathematical functions directly in Alfred and can copy results to the clipboard. | Calcy performs arithmetic using only addition, subtraction, multiplication, division and parentheses. |
| Independent review limit | Macworld's review says Alfred Remote did not match the quality of the main Alfred launcher and requires Alfred running on the Mac. | VIDI Lab reported that adding folders requires several configuration steps, large indexes can slow hard disks and some folders were incompletely indexed until manually rescanned. |
| Independent review praise | Macworld says Alfred's launcher, web search, calculator, dictionary and workflow system become deeply embedded in a user's Mac workflow. | VIDI Lab found Launchy faster and simpler than the Windows Start menu, with useful calculator, Control Panel and web-search plugins. |
| Integrations | Official documentation covers 1Password bookmarks; URLs remain accessible to Alfred while passwords stay protected in 1Password. | The official plugin list includes PuTTY sessions, Todoist, Windows Live Messenger, system power controls and task switching. |
| Purpose | Alfred is a macOS productivity app for launching apps, searching files and the web, and controlling a Mac with hotkeys, keywords, and custom actions. | Launchy is a free cross-platform utility for replacing the start menu, desktop icons and file manager. |
Alfred plans
- Alfred coreFree
- Single License£34, paid once
- Mega Supporter£59, paid once
Launchy plans
- Pay what you wantFree
Pick Alfred if…
Alfred suits Mac users who want keyboard-driven app launching, file and web search, or custom task automation. Powerpack features are relevant to people who want clipboard history, snippets, file actions, or preference syncing.
Pick Launchy if…
Launchy may suit people who want keyboard-based access to programs, files, folders, or websites. Its portable mode may be useful for those who want to run it from a USB stick.