Alternatives · Utilities
Alfred alternatives
Alfred compared with 11 alternatives: Raycast, TextExpander, Paste, Homerow, Keyboard Maestro and 6 more.
Alfred has a free plan. Paid plans start at £34 one-time purchase (Powerpack Single License). 6 of the 11 alternatives are free or have a free plan. 5 more offer a free trial.
11 tools · Listings checked up to Oct 9, 2026 · Where the facts come from
At a glance
| Tool | Price | Free plan | Runs on |
|---|---|---|---|
| AlfredThis tool | Free plan · from £34 one-time | Yes | macOS |
| Raycast | Free plan · from $96/yr | Yes | macOS, Windows, iOS, Browser extension |
| TextExpander | Free plan · from $5/mo | Yes | macOS, Windows, iOS, Browser extension |
| Paste | Free trial · from $2.49/mo | Trial only | macOS, iOS |
| Homerow | Free trial · from $49.99 one-time | Trial only | macOS |
| Keyboard Maestro | Free trial · from $36 one-time | Trial only | macOS |
| LaunchBar | Free plan · from €35 one-time | Yes | macOS |
| PopClip | Free trial · from $12 one-time | Trial only | macOS |
| Quicksilver | Free | Free | macOS |
| Rectangle | Free | Free | macOS |
| Setapp | Free trial · from $14.99/mo | Trial only | macOS, iOS |
| Ueli | Free | Free | macOS, Windows, Linux |
How each one differs from Alfred
- Free plan · from $96/yr
Raycast
Keyboard launcher with extensions, clipboard history and AI
- Raycast starts at $96 / year, billed annually. Alfred starts at £34 one-time purchase (Powerpack Single License).
- Only Raycast lists Windows and iOS apps.
- Only Raycast lists a browser extension.
- Alfred can be bought with a one-time purchase.
- Raycast also covers window management.
Suits: Mac and Windows users who prefer the keyboard to the mouse
- Free plan · from $5/mo
TextExpander
Text snippets that expand as you type, shared across a team
- TextExpander starts at $5 per user / month, billed annually ($60). Alfred starts at £34 one-time purchase (Powerpack Single License).
- Only TextExpander lists Windows and iOS apps.
- Only TextExpander lists a browser extension.
- Alfred can be bought with a one-time purchase.
- Alfred also covers workflow automation, launcher and clipboard manager.
Suits: Support and sales teams that send the same replies many times a day
- Free trial · from $2.49/mo
Paste
Clipboard manager for Mac, iPhone and iPad with pinboards
- Paste starts at $2.49 / month, billed annually ($29.99). Alfred starts at £34 one-time purchase (Powerpack Single License).
- Alfred has a free plan. Paste does not, though it has a free trial.
- Only Paste lists an iOS app.
- Alfred also covers workflow automation, launcher and text expansion.
Suits: People who copy and reuse text, links and images all day on a Mac
- Free trial · from $49.99 one-time
Homerow
Keyboard labels for clicking any button or link on macOS
- Homerow starts at $49.99 one-time purchase. Alfred starts at £34 one-time purchase (Powerpack Single License).
- Alfred has a free plan. Homerow does not, though it has a free trial.
- Alfred also covers workflow automation, launcher, clipboard manager and text expansion.
Suits: Keyboard-focused Mac users who want to stop reaching for the mouse
- Free trial · from $36 one-time
Keyboard Maestro
Macro automation for macOS with triggers and actions
- Keyboard Maestro starts at US$36 one-time purchase for version 11, plus applicable tax. Alfred starts at £34 one-time purchase (Powerpack Single License).
- Alfred has a free plan. Keyboard Maestro does not, though it has a free trial.
- Keyboard Maestro also covers window management.
- Alfred also covers launcher.
Suits: Mac users who repeat the same multi-step tasks and want to automate them
- Free plan · from €35 one-time
LaunchBar
Keyboard launcher for Mac with clipboard history and actions
- LaunchBar starts at 35 € one-time purchase (Single License). Alfred starts at £34 one-time purchase (Powerpack Single License).
- LaunchBar also covers file management and calculator.
- Alfred also covers workflow automation and text expansion.
Suits: Mac users who want to keep their hands on the keyboard
- Free trial · from $12 one-time
PopClip
Pop-up bar of text actions when you select text on a Mac
- PopClip starts at $12 one-time purchase (Standard License, 2 years of updates). Alfred starts at £34 one-time purchase (Powerpack Single License).
- Alfred has a free plan. PopClip does not, though it has a free trial.
- PopClip also covers menu bar app.
- Alfred also covers workflow automation, launcher, clipboard manager and text expansion.
Suits: Mac users who select text with the mouse and want actions right at the pointer
- Free
Quicksilver
Free, open-source keyboard launcher for macOS
- Quicksilver is free. Alfred starts at £34 one-time purchase (Powerpack Single License).
- Quicksilver is open source, according to its own site.
- Alfred can be bought with a one-time purchase.
- Alfred also covers workflow automation and text expansion.
Suits: Mac users who want to act on files, apps and contacts from the keyboard
- Free
Rectangle
Free, open-source window snapping for macOS
- Rectangle is free. Alfred starts at £34 one-time purchase (Powerpack Single License).
- Rectangle is open source, according to its own site.
- Alfred can be bought with a one-time purchase.
- Rectangle also covers window management.
- Alfred also covers workflow automation, launcher, clipboard manager and text expansion.
Suits: Mac users who want window snapping by shortcut or drag at no cost
- Free trial · from $14.99/mo
Setapp
One subscription for a catalog of 300+ Mac and iOS apps
- Setapp starts at $14.99 / month + tax, or $107.88 / year (Mac plan). Alfred starts at £34 one-time purchase (Powerpack Single License).
- Alfred has a free plan. Setapp does not, though it has a free trial.
- Only Setapp lists an iOS app.
- Alfred can be bought with a one-time purchase.
- Setapp also covers screenshots and window management.
Suits: Mac users who would otherwise buy several utilities separately
- Free
Ueli
Cross-platform keystroke launcher for Windows, macOS and Linux
- Ueli is free. Alfred starts at £34 one-time purchase (Powerpack Single License).
- Only Ueli lists Windows and Linux apps.
- Ueli is open source, according to its own site.
- Alfred can be bought with a one-time purchase.
- Ueli also covers calculator.
Suits: People who want the same launcher on Windows, macOS and Linux
Limits worth knowing in Alfred
- macOS only (10.14 or later). Alfred Remote for iOS is a separate purchase on the App Store.
- Clipboard history, snippets, workflows and file actions all require the paid Powerpack.
- Prices are shown in pounds sterling only; the vendor's site gives no US dollar price.
- The Single License is tied to Alfred 5; moving to a later major version is a discounted paid upgrade unless you hold Mega Supporter.
Common questions
What are the alternatives to Alfred?
The alternatives to Alfred in this directory are Raycast, TextExpander, Paste, Homerow, Keyboard Maestro, LaunchBar, PopClip, Quicksilver, Rectangle, Setapp and Ueli. Each one has a side-by-side comparison with Alfred.
Is there a free alternative to Alfred?
Yes. Quicksilver, Rectangle and Ueli are free to use. Raycast, TextExpander and LaunchBar have a free plan alongside paid ones.
Which Alfred alternatives work on Windows?
The Alfred listing does not include a Windows app. Raycast, TextExpander and Ueli list one.
Which Alfred alternatives work on Linux?
The Alfred listing does not include a Linux app. Ueli lists one.
Is there an open-source alternative to Alfred?
Quicksilver, Rectangle and Ueli are described as open source on their own sites.
When were these prices checked?
Each listing shows its own date. On this page they run from Oct 4, 2026 to Oct 9, 2026. Vendors change prices without notice, so confirm on their site before you buy.
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