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.
Linux desktop users who want faster keyboard-driven access to applications and files instead of navigating menus or a file manager.
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.
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.
Why people leave Ulauncher
Dashed reasons are sourced facts; the rest are opinions. Vendors can dispute.
Sign in to add a reason — new reasons go through moderation before appearing.
Ranked alternatives
Ordered by Alt Score. Click any score to see the breakdown.
Feature comparison
Rows come from the App launchers checklist (14 rows). Human-verified cells only. ? means the value has not been verified.
| App launchers checklist | Ulauncher | LaunchBar | Raycast | Alfred | Albert | Flow Launcher |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | ||||||
| Starts at | ||||||
| License | ||||||
| Platforms | ||||||
| Extensions / plugins | ||||||
| Clipboard history | ||||||
| Snippets | ||||||
| Calculator & conversions | ||||||
| File search | ||||||
| Window management | ||||||
| Themes | ||||||
| Open source | ||||||
| One-time purchase option | ||||||
| Cross-platform |
Every fact and feature listed for Ulauncher is verified against its own pages. Each alternative is sourced on its own page.
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Pricing model Free verified 2026-07-09
See the [LICENSE](LICENSE) file for license rights and limitations (GNU GPL v3.0).
https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Ulauncher/Ulauncher/master/README.md -
Platforms Linux verified 2026-07-09
Ulauncher is a fast application launcher for Linux.
https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Ulauncher/Ulauncher/master/README.md -
License GPL-3.0 verified 2026-07-09
GNU GENERAL PUBLIC LICENSE Version 3, 29 June 2007
https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Ulauncher/Ulauncher/master/LICENSE -
Starts at Free verified 2026-07-09
See the [LICENSE](LICENSE) file for license rights and limitations (GNU GPL v3.0).
https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Ulauncher/Ulauncher/master/README.md -
Status active verified 2026-07-09
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.
https://api.github.com/repos/Ulauncher/Ulauncher -
Extensions / plugins Yes verified 2026-07-09
features: App Search (fuzzy matching), Calculator, [Extensions](https://ext.ulauncher.io/), Shortcuts, File browser mode and [Custom Color Themes]
https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Ulauncher/Ulauncher/master/README.md -
Clipboard history No verified 2026-07-09
The README's feature list contains no clipboard history.
features: App Search (fuzzy matching), Calculator, [Extensions](https://ext.ulauncher.io/), Shortcuts, File browser mode and [Custom Color Themes]
https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Ulauncher/Ulauncher/master/README.md -
Snippets No verified 2026-07-09
The README's feature list contains no snippets feature.
features: App Search (fuzzy matching), Calculator, [Extensions](https://ext.ulauncher.io/), Shortcuts, File browser mode and [Custom Color Themes]
https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Ulauncher/Ulauncher/master/README.md -
Calculator & conversions Yes verified 2026-07-09
features: App Search (fuzzy matching), Calculator
https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Ulauncher/Ulauncher/master/README.md -
File search Yes verified 2026-07-09
File browser mode and [Custom Color Themes]
https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Ulauncher/Ulauncher/master/README.md -
Window management No verified 2026-07-09
The README's feature list contains no window management.
features: App Search (fuzzy matching), Calculator, [Extensions](https://ext.ulauncher.io/), Shortcuts, File browser mode and [Custom Color Themes]
https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Ulauncher/Ulauncher/master/README.md -
Themes Yes verified 2026-07-09
File browser mode and [Custom Color Themes](https://docs.ulauncher.io/en/stable/themes/themes.html)
https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Ulauncher/Ulauncher/master/README.md -
Open source Yes verified 2026-07-09
GNU GENERAL PUBLIC LICENSE Version 3, 29 June 2007
https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Ulauncher/Ulauncher/master/LICENSE -
One-time purchase option No verified 2026-07-09
Free GPL-3.0 software; no purchase option exists.
GNU GENERAL PUBLIC LICENSE Version 3, 29 June 2007
https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Ulauncher/Ulauncher/master/LICENSE -
Cross-platform No verified 2026-07-09
Ulauncher is a fast application launcher for Linux.
https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Ulauncher/Ulauncher/master/README.md
FAQ
Yes. Raycast, Albert and Flow Launcher have a free tier or are fully free. Free-tier limits in the comparison table are verified and dated.
Flow Launcher, ueli and PowerToys Run — every license claim links its source.