Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Flow launcher VS Raycast

Compare Flow launcher VS Raycast and see what are their differences

Flow launcher logo Flow launcher

Quick file search & app launcher for Windows with community-made plugins

Raycast logo Raycast

Fastest way to control Jira, GitHub and other web apps
  • Flow launcher Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-08-18

Dedicated to making your workflow flow more seamless. Search everything from applications, files, bookmarks, YouTube, Twitter and more. Flow will continue to evolve, designed to be open and built with the community at heart.

Alternative to Wox.Launcher

  • Raycast Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-08-24

Flow launcher features and specs

  • Fast Search Capabilities
    Flow Launcher provides a quick and efficient way to search for files, apps, and various other data on your computer, helping enhance productivity by reducing the time spent looking for items.
  • Customizable
    The launcher is highly customizable, allowing users to tweak it according to their needs. Users can add or remove plugins and configure settings to suit their workflow.
  • Open Source
    Being open source, Flow Launcher benefits from the community-driven development which usually leads to more frequent updates and the possibility for users to contribute to its development.
  • Extensive Plugin Support
    Flow Launcher allows the integration of various plugins to extend functionality, providing users with a versatile tool that can cater to diverse use-cases.
  • User-Friendly Interface
    The interface is designed to be straightforward and easy to use, making it accessible to both beginners and advanced users.

Possible disadvantages of Flow launcher

  • Learning Curve
    New users may find it somewhat challenging to unleash its full potential immediately, as it might take time to learn about the various features and customization options.
  • Potential Performance Impact
    Depending on the number of plugins and settings used, there might be a slight impact on system performance, especially on lower-end machines.
  • Limited to Windows
    Flow Launcher is limited to Windows operating systems. Users on other platforms might need to look for alternative solutions.
  • Dependent on Community Support
    As an open-source project, the development and troubleshooting largely depend on community support, which might be slower in addressing specific issues when compared to commercially-backed software.

Raycast features and specs

  • Speed
    Raycast is known for its blazing fast performance, allowing users to quickly access and execute commands without noticeable lag.
  • Customization
    Raycast offers extensive customization options, enabling users to tailor the tool to meet their specific workflow needs and preferences.
  • Integration
    Raycast integrates seamlessly with a variety of applications and tools, improving productivity by allowing users to perform tasks directly within the launcher.
  • User Interface
    Raycast features an intuitive and clean user interface, making it easy for both beginners and advanced users to navigate and utilize its features.
  • Community Support
    Raycast has an active community that contributes plugins, custom scripts, and support, enhancing the functionality of the tool and providing valuable resources.

Possible disadvantages of Raycast

  • Platform Limitation
    As of now, Raycast is only available for macOS, limiting its accessibility for users on other operating systems such as Windows and Linux.
  • Learning Curve
    New users might face a learning curve due to the number of features and customization options available, which might be overwhelming initially.
  • Dependency on Plugins
    While plugin support enhances functionality, dependency on third-party plugins can lead to stability issues or conflicts if those plugins are not well-maintained.
  • Cost
    Although Raycast offers a free version, some advanced features and integrations may require a subscription, which could be a consideration for budget-conscious users.
  • Privacy Concerns
    As with any tool that integrates deeply into your system and workflows, there can be concerns regarding data privacy and security, even though Raycast maintains strong privacy policies.

Analysis of Raycast

Overall verdict

  • Yes, Raycast is considered a good tool, especially for macOS users who want to enhance productivity and optimize their desktop experience. Its balance of functionality, speed, and customization makes it a valuable asset.

Why this product is good

  • Raycast is praised for its efficiency in streamlining workflows on macOS. It acts as a powerful application launcher, offering features like quick access to apps, system commands, and a broad range of extensions. Users appreciate its speed, simplicity, and the ability to customize it to fit their specific needs.

Recommended for

  • MacOS users looking for a fast application launcher
  • Professionals who want to streamline their workflow
  • Developers and power users seeking customizable tools
  • Individuals interested in keyboard-driven productivity solutions

Flow launcher videos

HexFlow Launcher: An Alternative Cover Flow Launcher for PS Vita - Setup & Overview!

Raycast videos

Hands on - Increase your Mac Productivity with Raycast

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Flow launcher and Raycast)
Productivity
13 13%
87% 87
App Launcher
23 23%
77% 77
Mac
21 21%
79% 79
Windows Tools
100 100%
0% 0

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare Flow launcher and Raycast

Flow launcher Reviews

We have no reviews of Flow launcher yet.
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Raycast Reviews

4 Best Spotlight Alternatives to Increase Your Mac’s Functionality
Similar to Raycast, LaunchBar also shows you your reminders and lets you manage your events, so you never miss out on what’s on your agenda for the day. And, you get the ability to create or use custom scripts to extend Raycast’s functionality and use it for automating repetitive tasks.
Source: techpp.com

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Raycast seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 37 times since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

Flow launcher mentions (0)

We have not tracked any mentions of Flow launcher yet. Tracking of Flow launcher recommendations started around Mar 2021.

Raycast mentions (37)

  • 🤯Powerful AI Tools You Should Know v2🫵
    Raycast: Your Shortcut to Everything. - Source: dev.to / 9 months ago
  • Tools that keep me productive
    Raycast is my go-to replacement for macOS' spotlight. It's like Spotlight on steroids. I previously used Alfred, another outstanding Spotlight alternative, but for some reason Raycast grew on me. I also use it for window management. - Source: dev.to / about 1 year ago
  • A collection of useful Mac Apps
    Raycast - Price: Free Spotlight-like app for macOS that allows you to quickly access and execute commands, access apps, hotkeys, text expansion, clipboard manager and more. Source: almost 2 years ago
  • Everything I Installed on My New Mac
    Raycast is a productivity tool that lets you search apps and do things just with a single keystroke. It's like Spotlight on steroids. I've been using it for a while now and it's been a game-changer. I can't imagine using my Mac without it. I use it to open apps, search files, run scripts, and so much more. It has a vibrant ecosystem of extensions that you can install to do even more. I highly recommend checking it... - Source: dev.to / almost 2 years ago
  • Ask HN: What's the best “dark mode” themed website and app you have come across?
    Among my favorite apps/websites that support dark mode: - https://around.co/ - https://fig.io/ - https://liveblocks.io/ - https://raycast.com/ - https://volta.net/. - Source: Hacker News / about 2 years ago
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What are some alternatives?

When comparing Flow launcher and Raycast, you can also consider the following products

Keypirinha - A lightning fast and flexible keystroke launcher for Windows. No installation required (portable).

Alfred - Alfred is an award-winning app for macOS which boosts your efficiency with hotkeys, keywords, text expansion and more. Search your Mac and the web, and be more productive with custom actions to control your Mac.

Slapdash - Fastest way to work across your cloud apps ⚡️

Ulauncher - Fast application launcher for Linux. Custom shortcuts for web URLs and scripts.

Fluent Search - With Fluent Search you can search for running apps, browser tabs, in-app content, files and more. You can use fluent search to use the computer without a mouse.

eesel - The new tab for work