The XDA piece on Windows launchers made a point that mac users have known for a decade: the Start menu is fine for the mouse but it’s a bad tool for keyboard-first work. A launcher opens on a hotkey, finds an app in three keystrokes, runs a calculation, translates a phrase, opens a specific browser bookmark, and closes itself before your hand leaves the home row. Once you install one you stop clicking on things.
We tested seven Windows launcher apps that replace the Start menu for daily driver use. All of them cover the basics (app search, file search, web search shortcuts). What separates them is plugin ecosystems, workflow automation, and how they handle non-Latin-script queries. Ratings below reflect the plugin marketplaces, active maintenance, and how much they get out of your way.
What to look for in a Windows launcher
- Hotkey speed. A good launcher opens in under 100 ms. If you feel the pause, you’ll stop using it.
- Plugin ecosystem. Custom actions (currency conversion, unit math, Everything file search, browser bookmark search) are what turn a launcher into a hub.
- Everything integration. Void Tools Everything is the gold-standard Windows file index. Launchers that pipe into it beat every Windows-native alternative on file search.
- Active maintenance. Windows changes shell APIs; launchers that stop shipping releases start breaking on major Windows updates.
- Clipboard and window management. Modern launchers pair with clipboard history and window arrangers so you don’t add a third utility.
Quick comparison
| App | Best for | Platforms | Free plan | Starting price | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PowerToys Run | Microsoft-supported default | Windows 10/11 | Free | Free | Bundled with PowerToys |
| Flow Launcher | Best plugin ecosystem | Windows 10/11 | Free | Free | Community plugin marketplace |
| Wox | Legacy plugin power | Windows 7+ | Free | Free | Maintenance is community-only |
| Keypirinha | Speed and privacy | Windows 7+ | Free | Free | Local-only, no cloud calls |
| ueli | Cross-platform (also Mac) | Windows/Mac | Free | Free | Same UX across OSes |
| Listary | File-first launcher | Windows 10/11 | Free tier | 19.95 USD lifetime | Best file-manager integration |
| Launchy | The classic | Windows XP+ | Free | Free | Simple, slow to update |
The apps
1. PowerToys Run — Best for a supported default
PowerToys Run ships as part of Microsoft PowerToys. Hitting Alt+Space (default) opens a launcher that indexes installed apps, running processes, files (via Windows Search), and simple calculations. Microsoft added a plugin API in 2022 and third-party plugins now cover Everything integration, Bing search, unit conversion, and clipboard history.
Where it falls short: Plugin API is less mature than Flow Launcher’s, so the marketplace is thinner. File search relies on Windows Search unless you install an Everything plugin, and Windows Search is slow.
Pricing:
- Free, part of Microsoft PowerToys.
Platforms: Windows 10 22H2 and Windows 11 only.
Download: Microsoft Store or the PowerToys GitHub releases
Bottom line: The safest first launcher. Ships with the OS vendor’s support, integrates with the rest of PowerToys (FancyZones, Awake, Color Picker), and updates through Windows.
2. Flow Launcher — Best plugin ecosystem
Flow Launcher is a community fork of Wox with a modern architecture and an active plugin marketplace. The default install covers apps, files, calculator, web searches, and clipboard history. Add-ons include Everything integration, Bing Chat, unit conversion, VS Code workspace launcher, GitHub search, and Home Assistant control.
Where it falls short: Not signed by Microsoft, so Windows SmartScreen will pop the first time you launch it. Plugin quality varies — some marketplace entries have not shipped updates in over a year.
Pricing:
- Free and open-source under the MIT license.
Platforms: Windows 7 and up (10 or 11 recommended).
Download: Flow Launcher GitHub or the Microsoft Store
Bottom line: The pick if you want to swap PowerToys Run for something with a wider plugin selection. Best out-of-the-box balance of features.
3. Wox — Best for legacy plugin depth
Wox is the launcher that Flow Launcher forked from. Development slowed after 2020 but the plugin catalog is still the largest single collection of Windows launcher plugins ever assembled. If a specific plugin exists that you want and it’s not on Flow, check Wox.
Where it falls short: No official releases in years. Community forks like WoxCE keep things running but require some tolerance for jank. Not recommended for new Windows 11 installs.
Pricing:
- Free and open-source under the MIT license.
Platforms: Windows 7 and up.
Download: Wox GitHub
Bottom line: Only recommended if a specific plugin lives here and nowhere else. New users should start with Flow Launcher.
4. Keypirinha — Best for speed and privacy
Keypirinha is a portable Python-based launcher with a reputation for being one of the fastest on Windows. It stays out of the network by default — no telemetry, no update checks, no cloud sync — and the plugin system is straightforward Python. Popular packages include Everything, PowerShell command runner, and browser bookmark search.
Where it falls short: UI theming is Windows Forms era. Documentation is spartan and setup takes longer than PowerToys Run. Not on the Microsoft Store.
Pricing:
- Free.
Platforms: Windows 7 and up. Runs portable off a USB stick.
Download: Keypirinha GitHub (releases page for signed installers)
Bottom line: The pick for keyboard-first users who want zero telemetry and don’t mind an older-looking UI. Also the best choice for a portable Windows launcher.
5. ueli — Best for cross-platform users
ueli is an Electron-based launcher available on Windows and macOS with the same UX. The Windows build handles apps, files (via Everything), calculator, web searches, and simulation of macOS-style deep queries. The Mac build slots into a workflow already covered by Alfred or Raycast.
Where it falls short: Electron footprint is heavier than the native launchers. Some plugins are Windows-only, some are Mac-only.
Pricing:
- Free and open-source under the MIT license.
Platforms: Windows 10/11 and macOS 11+.
Download: ueli GitHub
Bottom line: The right pick for anyone who bounces between a Windows and a Mac and wants one launcher UX across both.
6. Listary — Best for file-first workflows
Listary is the launcher that treats file search as the first-class citizen. It integrates directly into Windows File Explorer, Save As dialogs, and Open dialogs — start typing and it filters the current file view or jumps to the file across drives. The free tier covers most use, and the paid Pro tier adds custom actions and unlimited history.
Where it falls short: App and web-search UX is thinner than the pure launchers. The Pro upsell nudges are gentle but present in the free tier.
Pricing:
- Free tier with most features.
- Pro: 19.95 USD one-time license.
Platforms: Windows 10 and 11.
Download: Listary official site
Bottom line: Pick this if you live in File Explorer. Pair with a lighter launcher for pure app-run.
7. Launchy — Best for the classic experience
Launchy is the original Windows launcher (2005) that most other tools on this list took cues from. It still runs on modern Windows and its plugin API remains stable. Updates are infrequent but nothing has actually broken.
Where it falls short: Feels visibly dated. Plugin catalog is small and mostly unmaintained. No Everything integration unless you write a plugin.
Pricing:
- Free and open-source under the GPL.
Platforms: Windows XP and up. Also has Mac and Linux ports of varying maintenance.
Download: Launchy official site
Bottom line: Recommend only if the other picks feel too heavy or you’re on a locked-down old Windows install. Otherwise start with PowerToys Run or Flow Launcher.
How to pick the right one
If you want the simplest option: PowerToys Run. Microsoft ships it, it’s covered by Windows Update, and PowerToys itself is worth installing for the other utilities. If you want the best plugin ecosystem: Flow Launcher. If you want the fastest and most private: Keypirinha.
If you bounce between Windows and Mac: ueli. If you live in File Explorer and want smarter file search: Listary. If you want the launcher that started the pattern and don’t need bells and whistles: Launchy. Wox is the historical curiosity — only worth installing if a specific plugin lives there.
FAQ
What is the best free Windows launcher app? PowerToys Run for most users. Flow Launcher for anyone who wants a richer plugin ecosystem. Both are free and both cover file search, calculator, and web queries out of the box.
Is Alfred available on Windows? No. Alfred is macOS-only. The closest Windows equivalents in feel are Flow Launcher and Keypirinha.
How does PowerToys Run compare to Flow Launcher? PowerToys Run is bundled with Microsoft PowerToys, so it updates with the OS ecosystem. Flow Launcher has a bigger plugin marketplace and a more mature plugin API. If you want minimal setup, PowerToys Run. If you want to script your workflow, Flow.
Do Windows launchers slow down my PC? None of these launchers meaningfully impact performance on a modern rig. PowerToys Run and Flow Launcher use around 100-150 MB of RAM when open. Keypirinha uses less because it is not Electron-based.
Can a Windows launcher replace the Start menu entirely? Functionally yes. Bind the launcher to Win+Space or Alt+Space and you’ll rarely open Start again. You can also hide Start in Windows 11 taskbar settings, though the taskbar itself sticks around.
