Launchy
7.7#1 in start menu customization softwareFree planFree planAndroidAPILinuxmacOS
VisitLaunchy vs True Launch Bar
True Launch Bar
7.3#6 in app launcher software$19.90 one-timeFree planWindows
VisitWhat both publish
| Fact | Launchy | True Launch Bar |
|---|---|---|
| Hotkeys | The default hotkey is Alt+Space, with Control+Space used in Linux. | Menus and shortcuts can be assigned keyboard hotkeys through the hotkey manager. |
| Integrations | The official plugin list includes PuTTY sessions, Todoist, Windows Live Messenger, system power controls and task switching. | The feature list names integration with StartKiller, which can open a True Launch Bar menu in place of the Start menu. |
| Notable news | Launchy 2.5 was announced on April 3, 2010 with OS X support, faster performance, Linux improvements, tray icon, shortcuts and simplified skins. | Version 8.0 was announced as freeware on December 1, 2022. |
| Plugins | Launchy has a plugin architecture with plugins for web searches, Firefox bookmarks, calculations, custom commands and more. | The vendor lists dozens of plugins including mail monitoring, weather, news, media control, system monitoring, clipboard management and virtual desktops. |
| Purpose | Launchy is a free cross-platform utility for replacing the start menu, desktop icons and file manager. | True Launch Bar is a Windows Quick Launch replacement for organizing shortcuts and files in customizable taskbar menus. |
| Rating on Softpedia | 2 out of 5 from 1 review | 5 out of 5 from 1 editorial review |
Launchy plans
- Pay what you wantFree
True Launch Bar plans
- True Launch BarFree
- True Launch Bar 8.0 freewareFree
- Legacy registration$19.90, paid once
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.
Pick True Launch Bar if…
You want what its maker publishes above — check its page for the details.