Cerebro vs Ulauncher (2026): which should you pick?
As of Nov 13, 2026, Cerebro grades higher than Ulauncher: 2.8 against 2.6 out of 4.0.
Checked Nov 12, 2026 and Nov 13, 2026 · graded Nov 12, 2026 and Nov 13, 2026 by ToolGPA
Cerebro grades higher on platforms. They get the same grade on value for money, the free plan, features and ease of use.
Price, platforms and features side by side. The table says where each price was read and when.
Which one is for you
Pick Cerebro if
- Fits if you want one free launcher across Windows, Mac and Linux
- Works for developers who want to write JavaScript plugins
Look elsewhere if
- Watch out: every download is 0.11.0 and the footer reads 2023, so updates may be slow
- Skip it if you want features out of the box, because most extras are community plugins
- Tight if your machine is short on memory, as it is built on Electron
- Not for you if you want paid support, since it is run by a small team of volunteers
Pick Ulauncher if
- Fits if you run Linux and want to start apps by typing
- Works for people who like adding extensions to a launcher
Look elsewhere if
- Not for you if you're on a Mac or Windows, as it's Linux only
- Skip it if you want windows tiled or resized, because it doesn't do that
- Watch out: the download page lists CentOS 7, so some of its support may be dated
How we grade them
| 2.8GPACerebroGood | 2.6GPAUlauncherGood | |
|---|---|---|
| Value for money | AFree and open source, with the plugin manager included. | AFree, with optional donations through Patreon. |
| Free plan and trial | AThe whole app is free, with no paid plan. | AThe whole app is free to use, with no tiers. |
| Features | CSearches files, apps and the web and shows maps and translations in place. Beyond basic search it relies on community plugins, and the site lists more than 10 official ones. | CFuzzy search, shortcuts, extensions, a file browser and themes. It launches things, and doesn't arrange windows, which is what this category is for. |
| Ease of use | CNo store rating on record. It installs like any app, but plugins are where the extra features live. | CNo store rating on record. You install it with your package manager and add extensions to get further. |
| Platforms and integrations | CWindows, Mac and Linux downloads, computers only, with no phone or web version. | DLinux only, with Ubuntu, Debian, Arch, Fedora, openSUSE and CentOS 7 listed. |
| Best for | a free launcher with plugins on Windows, Mac and Linux | a fast app launcher for Linux |
The GPA is the average of the five grades: an A is 4 points, an F is none. The full reasons are on each tool's page: Cerebro and Ulauncher. How we grade
Price against what you get
Cerebro has no paid plan and scores 2.0 out of 4 on features, ease of use and platforms. Ulauncher has no paid plan and scores 1.7.
Cerebro scores higher for the same starting price. Of the other window managers and launchers on the chart, none scores higher than Cerebro for less, and none scores higher than Ulauncher for less.
Features, ease of use and platforms, averaged
What paid plans start at, a month (each step along is roughly double) →
- The best score at each price
- Has a free plan
- No free plan
Where they differ
At a glance
| Cerebro | Ulauncher | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Free | Free |
| Starts at | Free | Free |
| Free plan | Free and open source, per the vendor. | The whole app is free; the site asks for optional donations through Patreon. |
| Free trial | None listed | None listed |
| macOS | ||
| Windows | ||
| Linux | ||
| Made by | CerebroApp | Ulauncher |
| Price read from | cerebroapp.com | ulauncher.io |
| Checked | Nov 13, 2026 | Nov 12, 2026 |
Worth knowing
Cerebro
- It is built on Electron, which the vendor describes as its main cross-platform route.
- The site lists version 0.11.0 for all systems and its footer reads 2023, so it may be updated slowly.
- Functionality beyond basic search depends on community plugins.
- It is run by a small team of volunteers; no paid support is offered.
Ulauncher
- Linux only; the download page lists Ubuntu and Debian, Arch, Fedora, openSUSE and CentOS 7.
- It launches and searches; it does not manage window layouts.
Key features
Cerebro
- Unified search
- Searches files and applications on the machine and the internet from a single box.
- Results in place
- Shows maps, translations and search suggestions without opening another app, and can reveal a file or copy contact details.
- Plugin manager
- Installs plugins from inside the app, with more than 10 official plugins listed.
- Plugin API
- A documented API lets developers build and share their own plugins.
- Cross-platform
- Downloads are offered for Windows, Mac and Linux.
Ulauncher
- Fuzzy search
- Finds an application despite misspelling and remembers earlier picks to rank the best result first.
- Shortcuts and extensions
- Custom shortcuts and community-built extensions give quick access to scripts and web searches.
- File browser
- Type ~ or / to browse directories, with Alt+Enter for further options.
- Color themes
- Four built-in themes and support for custom ones.
Plans
Cerebro
Free$0
The whole application, including the plugin manager.
Ulauncher
Free$0
Open-source application, with optional donations.
Common questions
Which is cheaper, Cerebro or Ulauncher?
As of Nov 13, 2026, both Cerebro and Ulauncher are free to use.
Which has a free plan, Cerebro or Ulauncher?
As of Nov 13, 2026, both Cerebro and Ulauncher have a free plan.
Which platforms do Cerebro and Ulauncher run on?
As of Nov 13, 2026, only Cerebro lists macOS and Windows apps. Both list a Linux app. A platform missing from a listing is one its maker's pages did not mention.
More comparisons
How this page was made
- The verdict at the top follows a fixed rule. When both tools are in the same category and either is in our top three for it, the verdict follows that ranking: the higher-placed tool is our pick. The top three weigh who each tool suits as well as its grades, so a pick can go against the GPA. Otherwise the page does not pick one and says which grades higher: the higher GPA first; on a tie, the one with a free plan, then the one that starts cheaper in dollars a month, counted the same way for both; if they are still level, what the choice depends on.
- The grades are our own, from each tool’s review or report card. The GPA is their average.
- Prices, plans and platforms come from each tool’s listing. The table above says where each price was read and when.
- The differences and the answers to the questions are worked out from those listings.