# Alternatives to Ulauncher Fast Python-extensible Linux launcher. Ulauncher ranks #8 of 8 in App launchers, with an Alt Score of 55. It is licensed under GPL-3.0, free from Free and available on Linux. 10 of 10 checklist rows are verified against a public source. Source: https://altcatalog.com/alternatives/ulauncher/ Category: App launchers ## Overview - **Who it's for**: Linux desktop users who want faster keyboard-driven access to applications and files instead of navigating menus or a file manager. - **What you get**: A lightweight, open-source application launcher with fuzzy search that tolerates typos and learns your most-used picks over time. It includes a fast directory/file browser, four built-in themes plus custom theming, and an extension system for adding community or custom shortcuts, scripts, and searches. - **How it works**: Press a global hotkey to open Ulauncher's search bar, type an app name or query, and select a match to launch it; typing ~ or / switches to file browsing, and Alt+Enter reveals additional actions. ## Profile - **License**: GPL-3.0 (verified 2026-07-09) - **Pricing model**: Free (verified 2026-07-09) - **Starts at**: Free (verified 2026-07-09) - **Platforms**: Linux - **Status**: active (verified 2026-07-09) ## Ranked alternatives | # | App | Alt Score | Licence | Platforms | |---|-----|-----------|---------|-----------| | 1 | [LaunchBar](https://altcatalog.com/alternatives/launchbar.md) | 73 | ? | macOS | | 2 | [Raycast](https://altcatalog.com/alternatives/raycast.md) | 73 | ? | macOS, Windows, iOS, Browser extension | | 3 | [Alfred](https://altcatalog.com/alternatives/alfred.md) | 68 | Proprietary | macOS | | 4 | [Albert](https://altcatalog.com/alternatives/albert.md) | 64 | ? | macOS, Linux | | 5 | [Flow Launcher](https://altcatalog.com/alternatives/flow-launcher.md) | 64 | MIT | Windows | | 6 | [ueli](https://altcatalog.com/alternatives/ueli.md) | 60 | MIT | Windows, macOS, Linux | | 7 | [PowerToys Run](https://altcatalog.com/alternatives/powertoys-run.md) | 55 | MIT | Windows | Alt Score = Verified coverage (90%) + Visibility (10%). See https://altcatalog.com/how-alt-score-works/ ## Feature comparison Legend: Yes / No / Partial / ? (not verified). | App launchers checklist | Ulauncher | LaunchBar | Raycast | Alfred | Albert | Flow Launcher | |---|---|---|---|---|---|---| | Pricing model | Free | One-time | Freemium | One-time | Free | Free | | Starts at | Free | ? | $8/mo | £34 | Free | Free | | License | GPL-3.0 | ? | ? | Proprietary | ? | MIT | | Platforms | Linux | macOS | macOS, Windows, iOS, Browser extension | macOS | macOS, Linux | Windows | | Extensions / plugins | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | | Clipboard history | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Partial | | Snippets | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Partial | | Calculator & conversions | Yes | Yes | Yes | Partial | Yes | Yes | | File search | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | | Window management | No | ? | Yes | ? | ? | ? | | Themes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | | Open source | Yes | ? | ? | No | No | Yes | | One-time purchase option | No | Yes | No | Yes | No | No | | Cross-platform | No | No | No | No | No | No | ## Sources Sources for Ulauncher. Each alternative is sourced on its own page. - **Pricing model**: Free — (verified 2026-07-09) - Quote: “See the [LICENSE](LICENSE) file for license rights and limitations (GNU GPL v3.0).” - **Platforms**: Linux — (verified 2026-07-09) - Quote: “Ulauncher is a fast application launcher for Linux.” - **License**: GPL-3.0 — (verified 2026-07-09) - Quote: “GNU GENERAL PUBLIC LICENSE Version 3, 29 June 2007” - **Starts at**: Free — (verified 2026-07-09) - Quote: “See the [LICENSE](LICENSE) file for license rights and limitations (GNU GPL v3.0).” - **Status**: active — (verified 2026-07-09) - Note: pushed_at": "2026-07-07T21:05:04Z"" — Latest stable is 5.15.15 (Nov 2025) and the README says v5 gets no new features while v6 is rewritten, but the repository is still actively committed to. - **Extensions / plugins**: Yes — (verified 2026-07-09) - Quote: “features: App Search (fuzzy matching), Calculator, [Extensions](https://ext.ulauncher.io/), Shortcuts, File browser mode and [Custom Color Themes]” - **Clipboard history**: No — (verified 2026-07-09) - Note: The README's feature list contains no clipboard history. - Quote: “features: App Search (fuzzy matching), Calculator, [Extensions](https://ext.ulauncher.io/), Shortcuts, File browser mode and [Custom Color Themes]” - **Snippets**: No — (verified 2026-07-09) - Note: The README's feature list contains no snippets feature. - Quote: “features: App Search (fuzzy matching), Calculator, [Extensions](https://ext.ulauncher.io/), Shortcuts, File browser mode and [Custom Color Themes]” - **Calculator & conversions**: Yes — (verified 2026-07-09) - Quote: “features: App Search (fuzzy matching), Calculator” - **File search**: Yes — (verified 2026-07-09) - Quote: “File browser mode and [Custom Color Themes]” - **Window management**: No — (verified 2026-07-09) - Note: The README's feature list contains no window management. - Quote: “features: App Search (fuzzy matching), Calculator, [Extensions](https://ext.ulauncher.io/), Shortcuts, File browser mode and [Custom Color Themes]” - **Themes**: Yes — (verified 2026-07-09) - Quote: “File browser mode and [Custom Color Themes](https://docs.ulauncher.io/en/stable/themes/themes.html)” - **Open source**: Yes — (verified 2026-07-09) - Quote: “GNU GENERAL PUBLIC LICENSE Version 3, 29 June 2007” - **One-time purchase option**: No — (verified 2026-07-09) - Note: Free GPL-3.0 software; no purchase option exists. - Quote: “GNU GENERAL PUBLIC LICENSE Version 3, 29 June 2007” - **Cross-platform**: No — (verified 2026-07-09) - Quote: “Ulauncher is a fast application launcher for Linux.” --- Ranked by verified data, never by who paid. https://altcatalog.com/trust/