Alfred vs Raycast

Alfred

• Mac users who want a keyboard launcher without a subscription
• People who automate repetitive tasks with their own workflows
• Buyers who want to pay once, with optional lifetime upgrades

Raycast

• Mac and Windows users who prefer the keyboard to the mouse
• Replacing separate clipboard, snippet and window utilities with one app
• Developers who want to build their own commands and extensions
• Teams that share snippets, quicklinks and internal extensions

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.

Raycast

• AI is not part of the free plan; Raycast AI, cloud sync and unlimited notes need Pro.
• The free plan keeps 3 months of clipboard history and allows 5 Raycast Notes.
• Top-tier AI models need the Plus or Max tier, at $20 or $50 a month.
• The Windows app does not yet have every macOS feature; Raycast says it is still bringing them across.

Alfred

App, file and web search

Launch apps, find files on your Mac and search websites with default or custom search keywords, all from one search bar.

Workflows

A Powerpack feature that connects triggers and actions like building blocks to automate tasks without code. Thousands of community workflows can be imported.

Clipboard History

With the Powerpack, Alfred keeps the text, images and file links you copy for 24 hours, 7 days, 1 month or 3 months, so an earlier item can be found and pasted again.

Snippets and text expansion

With the Powerpack, saved snippets expand automatically when you type a short keyword.

File actions and Terminal commands

The Powerpack adds actions on files, such as emailing, moving, copying and revealing in Finder, and runs Terminal commands and scripts from Alfred.

System commands and hotkeys

Sleep the Mac, empty the Trash or start the screensaver with a keyword. The Powerpack adds custom hotkeys and keywords for apps and sites.

Raycast

Launcher with hotkeys and aliases

Open apps, search files and run commands from one keyboard-driven window, and assign hotkeys or aliases to the commands and apps you use most.

Extension store

Thousands of extensions for tools such as Linear, Slack, Notion and Spotify. The extension API lets anyone with web development skills build their own.

Clipboard history, snippets, quicklinks

Built-in utilities included in the free plan. Free keeps clipboard history for 3 months.

Window management

Window management commands are part of the free core features; creating custom window management commands needs Pro.

Raycast AI

Pro adds Quick AI and AI Chat on a monthly credit allowance. A browser extension for Safari, Chrome, Firefox and Chromium browsers passes the active tab to the AI.

Notes and iOS companion app

Raycast Notes captures quick thoughts: 5 notes on Free and unlimited on Pro. The iOS app carries AI, notes, snippets and quicklinks; syncing them across devices needs Pro.

Alfred

• Alfred (free)£0

  The core launcher for searching your Mac and the web. Free to use in a personal, educational or business setting.

• Powerpack Single License£34

  one-time purchase, license for Alfred 5

  Unlocks the Powerpack for one user on Alfred 5: workflows, clipboard history, snippets, file actions, themes and settings sync.

• Powerpack Mega Supporter£59

  one-time purchase, free lifetime upgrades

  The same Powerpack features for one user, with free upgrades to future versions of Alfred.

Raycast

• Free$0

  Core launcher features, thousands of extensions, custom extensions, 3 months of clipboard history and 5 Raycast Notes. No AI.

• Pro$96

  per year, or $10 / month billed monthly

  Raycast AI with 500 credits a month, cloud sync, dictation, translator, custom themes, unlimited notes and custom window management commands.

• Pro (Plus tier)$192

  per year, or $20 / month billed monthly

  Pro features with 3,000 AI credits a month and access to top-tier AI models.

• Pro (Max tier)$480

  per year, or $50 / month billed monthly

  Pro features with 7,500 AI credits a month and access to top-tier AI models.

• Teams Pro$144

  per user / year, or $15 / user / month billed monthly

  Pro for each member plus unlimited shared commands and a private store. Plus and Max tiers cost more; a free Teams plan caps sharing at 30 snippets and 30 quicklinks.

• EnterpriseCustom

  Teams Pro plus an AI Control Center and admin controls such as SAML/SCIM, domain capture, enforced 2FA and extension and IP allow-lists.

Alfred

• Lifetime license

  Mega Supporter license with free lifetime upgrades

  The £59 Mega Supporter license includes free upgrades to future versions of Alfred. The £34 Single License covers Alfred 5.

• Other savings

  Upgrade discount for older licenses

  Holders of a Single User or Family license for an earlier version of Alfred can upgrade to the current Powerpack at a discount.

Raycast

• Annual discount

  Annual billing saves 20%

  Pro is $96 a year against $10 a month, which is $120 over twelve months. Teams Pro is $144 per user a year against $15 per user a month. Both work out 20% cheaper.

• Education

  50% off Pro for verified students

  Raycast's pricing FAQ says verified students get a 50% discount on the Pro plan through an application form.