Which Mac launcher fits a keyboard-first workflow?
6 apps · 36 factors
Raycast, Alfred, LaunchBar, Monarch, Sol, and Quicksilver compared across search, actions, clipboard, automation, extensions, AI, sync, privacy, and purchase model.
Quick answer
From the sourced cells below · nobody pays for a position
Buy once, no subscription
Monarch
$30 one-time
Free to use
LaunchBar
Free
Reference score
Priority-weighted · 80% evidence · 1 must-have · 10 important
Complete audit
36 factors1 must-have10 importantFactors
App search
File search
Actions on results
Clipboard history
Window management
Custom commands / workflows
Extension ecosystem
Built-in AI
Web search
Browser bookmarks / history
Adaptive ranking
Instant send / selection handoff
Snippets
Text expansion
Calculator / conversions
Calendar integration
Quick notes
Emoji picker
System commands
File actions
Script support
Shell / terminal commands
AI actions / tools
Sync
Team sharing
Open source
Payment model
Current price
Device limit
Updates included
Trial / refund
Privacy / data handling
Support
What it does
macOS support
How this report was made
Every cell links to the page it came from. Nobody pays to change a score.
- Report ID
- TMA-1NC9NVX
- Sources
- 51
- Verified cells
- 173/216 (80%)
- Last checked
- Oct 10, 2026
- Reading saved
- ≈ 3.5 h
Scoring
Must-have factors weigh 5 and important ones 3; only these are scored, or the first five factors if none are marked. An app earns a factor's weight only when a cited source confirms it, and unknown cells count for no one. A pick is named only when the lead is larger than everything still unresolved could swing. Reading time assumes about 4 minutes per source. Full methodology
Corrections
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