From Surf Wiki (app.surf) — the open knowledge base
Comparison of desktop application launchers
Computer programs that help users launch other software
Computer programs that help users launch other software
An application launcher is a computer program that helps a user to locate and start other computer programs. An application launcher provides shortcuts to computer programs, and stores the shortcuts in one place so they are easier to find.
In the comparison of desktop application launchers that follows, each section is devoted to a different desktop environment.
Android
Main article: List of Android launchers
Windows
These desktop application launchers work with Microsoft Windows operating systems only.
| Creator | Latest stable version | Release date | Software license | Open source | Programming language | Plugin support | Appetizer | ASuite | Classic Shell | Microsoft PowerToys Run | PortableApps.com Platform | SliderDock | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Laurent Cozic | 1.4.6.494 | GPL | C++, wxWidgets | |||||||||||||||
| SalvadorSoftware | 2.0 | GPL | Delphi | |||||||||||||||
| Ivo Beltchev | 4.3.1 | MIT | C++ | Via shell namespace extensions inside the menu | ||||||||||||||
| Microsoft | 0.73.0 | MIT | C++, C# | |||||||||||||||
| Rare Ideas, LLC | 15.0.2 | GPL | PortableApps.com branding is trademarked | Delphi | ||||||||||||||
| Dimitri Roozendaal | 1.21 | Creative Commons |
Linux
These desktop application launchers work with Linux operating systems only.
| Creator | Latest stable version | Release date | OS | Software license | Open source | Programming language | Plugin support | 9menu | Avant Window Navigator | dmenu | GNOME Do | Katapult | Unity Dash | Synapse | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arnold Robbins | 1.8 | Linux | GPL | C | |||||||||||||||||
| Neil J. Patel | 0.4.2 | Linux | GPL | C | |||||||||||||||||
| dwm developers | 5.4 | Linux | MIT License | C | |||||||||||||||||
| GNOME Do Developers | 0.95.1 | Linux | GPL | C# | |||||||||||||||||
| TDE Developers | R14.0.6 | Linux with TDE | GPL | C++ | |||||||||||||||||
| Canonical Ltd. | 7.3.0 | Ubuntu | GPLv3 | Vala | ("lenses" and "scopes") | ||||||||||||||||
| Michal Hruby and Alberto Aldegheri | 0.2.99.4 | Linux | GPLv3 | Vala |
macOS
These desktop application launchers work with the Apple macOS operating system only.
| Creator | Latest stable version | Release date | Software license | Open source | Programming language | Plugin support | Runs on macOS Catalina | Alfred | Butler | DragThing | LaunchBar | Quicksilver | Raycast | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Running with Crayons | 5.5 | March 18, 2024 | Proprietary | Objective-C | |||||||||||||||
| Peter Maurer | 4.4.8 | January 8, 2024 | Proprietary | Objective-C | |||||||||||||||
| James Thomson | 5.9.17 | November 16, 2016 | Proprietary | C++ | |||||||||||||||
| Objective Development | 6.19.1 | July 5, 2024 | Proprietary | Objective-C | |||||||||||||||
| Quicksilver Foundation | 2.4.2 | December 28, 2023 | Apache License | Objective-C | |||||||||||||||
| Raycast Technologies Ltd. | 1.79.0 | July 17, 2024 | Proprietary | Swift |
Cross platform
These desktop application launchers work with two or more different operating systems.
| Creator | Latest stable version | Release date | OS | Software license | Open source | Programming language | Plugin support | Runs on macOS Catalina | Launchy | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Josh Karlin | 2.5.0 | Microsoft Windows, Linux, macOS | GPL | C++ (Qt) |
References
References
- (25 July 2007). "Awn in Launchpad".
- "suckless.org software that sucks less".
- "Do 0.95.1 released".
- "Katapult - Katapult – a general purpose launcher".
- (9 June 2009). "Unity".
- "synapse-project - [no description]".
This article was imported from Wikipedia and is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License. Content has been adapted to SurfDoc format. Original contributors can be found on the article history page.
Ask Mako anything about Comparison of desktop application launchers — get instant answers, deeper analysis, and related topics.
Research with MakoFree with your Surf account
Create a free account to save articles, ask Mako questions, and organize your research.
Sign up freeThis content may have been generated or modified by AI. CloudSurf Software LLC is not responsible for the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of AI-generated content. Always verify important information from primary sources.
Report