Skip to content
ToolGPA

Alfred alternatives · Utilities

Open-source alternatives to Alfred

Alfred is not described as open source on its own site. 37 of the 93 other desktop utilities in this directory are open source, according to their own sites.

Alfred has a free plan. Paid plans start at £34 one-time purchase (Powerpack Single License). 36 of them are free or have a free plan.

37 tools · Listings checked up to Oct 9, 2026 · Where the facts come from

The 12 closest to Alfred

  1. 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.
    Quicksilver vs AlfredQuicksilver pricing and details

  2. 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.
    Rectangle vs AlfredRectangle pricing and details

  3. 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 vs AlfredUeli pricing and details

  4. AutoHotkey

    Free, open-source scripting language for Windows automation

    • AutoHotkey is free. Alfred starts at £34 one-time purchase (Powerpack Single License).
    • Only AutoHotkey lists a Windows app.
    • Only Alfred lists a macOS app.
    • AutoHotkey is open source, according to its own site.
    AutoHotkey pricing and details

  5. Microsoft PowerToys

    Free Microsoft utilities for customizing Windows 10 and 11

    • Microsoft PowerToys is free. Alfred starts at £34 one-time purchase (Powerpack Single License).
    • Only Microsoft PowerToys lists a Windows app.
    • Only Alfred lists a macOS app.
    • Microsoft PowerToys is open source, according to its own site.
    Microsoft PowerToys pricing and details

  6. Maccy

    Lightweight, open-source clipboard manager for macOS

    • Maccy starts at $4.99 or more, pay what you want (website download via Gumroad). Alfred starts at £34 one-time purchase (Powerpack Single License).
    • Maccy is open source, according to its own site.
    • Alfred can be bought with a one-time purchase.
    • Maccy also covers menu bar app.
    Maccy pricing and details

  7. Flow Launcher

    Free, open-source app launcher and file search for Windows

    • Flow Launcher is free. Alfred starts at £34 one-time purchase (Powerpack Single License).
    • Only Flow Launcher lists a Windows app.
    • Only Alfred lists a macOS app.
    • Flow Launcher is open source, according to its own site.
    Flow Launcher pricing and details

  8. AltTab

    Windows-style window switcher for macOS, free and open source

    • AltTab starts at $9.99 one-time purchase (AltTab Pro). Alfred starts at £34 one-time purchase (Powerpack Single License).
    • AltTab is open source, according to its own site.
    • AltTab also covers window management.
    • Alfred also covers workflow automation, launcher, clipboard manager and text expansion.
    AltTab pricing and details

  9. Karabiner-Elements

    Free, open-source keyboard customizer for macOS

    • Karabiner-Elements is free. Alfred starts at £34 one-time purchase (Powerpack Single License).
    • Karabiner-Elements is open source, according to its own site.
    • Alfred can be bought with a one-time purchase.
    • Karabiner-Elements also covers menu bar app and keyboard and mouse remapping.
    Karabiner-Elements pricing and details

  10. Ditto

    Free, open-source clipboard manager for Windows

    • Ditto is free. Alfred starts at £34 one-time purchase (Powerpack Single License).
    • Only Ditto lists a Windows app.
    • Only Alfred lists a macOS app.
    • Ditto is open source, according to its own site.
    Ditto pricing and details

  11. Hammerspoon

    Free, open-source macOS automation scripted in Lua

    • Hammerspoon is free. Alfred starts at £34 one-time purchase (Powerpack Single License).
    • Hammerspoon is open source, according to its own site.
    • Alfred can be bought with a one-time purchase.
    • Hammerspoon also covers window management.
    Hammerspoon pricing and details

  12. Espanso

    Open-source text expander for Windows, macOS and Linux

    • Espanso is free. Alfred starts at £34 one-time purchase (Powerpack Single License).
    • Only Espanso lists Windows and Linux apps.
    • Espanso is open source, according to its own site.
    • Alfred can be bought with a one-time purchase.
    Espanso pricing and details

25 more that are open source

All 37 in one table

Common questions

Is there an open-source alternative to Alfred?

Yes. Quicksilver, Rectangle, Ueli, AutoHotkey, Microsoft PowerToys, Maccy, Flow Launcher, AltTab and 29 more are open source, according to their own sites.

Is Alfred open source?

Alfred is not described as open source on its own site. The listing was checked on Oct 4, 2026 against the pages it cites.

Which of these desktop utilities are free?

Quicksilver, Rectangle, Ueli, AutoHotkey, Microsoft PowerToys, Maccy, Flow Launcher, AltTab and 28 more are free or have a free plan.

When was this checked?

Each listing shows its own date. On this page they run from Oct 4, 2026 to Oct 9, 2026. Vendors change prices and plans without notice, so confirm on their site before you buy.

This page is built from the listings. A tool is here because its listing says so, and the order is how close each is to Alfred: the alternatives its listing names first, then the tools that share the most features with it.