Flow Launcher vs Ulauncher (2026): which should you pick?
As of Nov 12, 2026, Flow Launcher grades higher than Ulauncher: 3.0 against 2.6 out of 4.0.
Checked Oct 6, 2026 and Nov 12, 2026 · graded Oct 10, 2026 and Nov 12, 2026 by ToolGPA
Flow Launcher grades higher on features and ease of use. They get the same grade on value for money, the free plan and platforms.
Price, platforms and features side by side. The table says where each price was read and when.
Flow Launcher
Free, open-source app launcher and file search for Windows
Which one is for you
Pick Flow Launcher if
- Fits if you want a keyboard launcher on Windows at no cost
- Works for people who already use Everything and want its results in a launcher
Look elsewhere if
- Skip it if you're on a Mac or Linux, as it only supports Windows 10 and later
- Not for you if you want a support desk, since help comes through GitHub, Discord and Reddit
- Not for you if unsigned software is a no on your work PC, because the code isn't signed and Windows may warn on install
- Watch out: Spotify, Steam, Obsidian and other extras are community-made plugins, not part of the core app
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
| 3.0GPAFlow LauncherVery good | 2.6GPAUlauncherGood | |
|---|---|---|
| Value for money | AFree and open source under the MIT licence, a plain install, and so are the plugins. The project asks for sponsors, and that part is up to you. | AFree, with optional donations through Patreon. |
| Free plan and trial | AThe whole launcher is free, as an installer, a portable ZIP or through winget, Scoop or Chocolatey. Nothing is kept back for a paid version. | AThe whole app is free to use, with no tiers. |
| Features | BThe launcher job is covered end to end: apps, files and file contents through Everything or Windows Search, web searches, bookmarks, system and PowerShell commands, sums, a preview panel and Dialog Jump for Open and Save boxes. A Plugin Store adds the rest. | 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 | BNo store rating is on record, but there's nothing to set up: press Alt+Space and type. One bump at the start, which the README admits: Windows may raise a security warning on first install because the code isn't signed. | CNo store rating on record. You install it with your package manager and add extensions to get further. |
| Platforms and integrations | DWindows only, version 10 and later, so a single operating system. It ties into Everything and Windows Search, and community plugins add the likes of Spotify, Steam and Obsidian. No Mac or Linux. | DLinux only, with Ubuntu, Debian, Arch, Fedora, openSUSE and CentOS 7 listed. |
| Best for | a free keyboard launcher on Windows | 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: Flow Launcher and Ulauncher. How we grade
Price against what you get
Flow Launcher has no paid plan and scores 2.3 out of 4 on features, ease of use and platforms. Ulauncher has no paid plan and scores 1.7.
Flow Launcher scores higher for the same starting price. Of the other window managers and launchers on the chart, none scores higher than Flow Launcher 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
- Flow Launcher also covers file management and calculator.
At a glance
| Flow Launcher | Ulauncher | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Free | Free |
| Starts at | Free | Free |
| Free plan | The whole app and its plugins are free and open source under the MIT license. The project asks for support through sponsorship. | The whole app is free; the site asks for optional donations through Patreon. |
| Free trial | None listed | None listed |
| Windows | ||
| Linux | ||
| Made by | Flow Launcher Team | Ulauncher |
| Price read from | flowlauncher.com | ulauncher.io |
| Checked | Oct 6, 2026 | Nov 12, 2026 |
Worth knowing
Flow Launcher
- Windows only; the download section says it supports Windows 10 and later.
- On first install, Windows may raise a security warning because the code is not signed, according to the README.
- Integrations such as Spotify, Steam and Obsidian come from community-made plugins and not from the core app.
- Help comes through GitHub, Discord and Reddit, and the project is funded by sponsors.
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
Flow Launcher
- App and file search
- Search for and launch apps, and find files or file contents using Everything or the Windows index, from a window opened with a customizable hotkey.
- Web searches and bookmarks
- Run a web search with your chosen search engine, open URLs and find bookmarks from different browsers.
- System and shell commands
- Shut down, restart, sleep or lock the PC, search Windows and Control Panel settings, and run batch or PowerShell commands as Administrator or another user.
- Plugin Store
- Install community plugins from the Plugin Store in Settings or by typing pm install. Plugins can be written in C#, F#, Python, JavaScript or TypeScript.
- Dialog Jump
- Search for a file or folder and jump an Open or Save As dialog to its path. Alt+G points the dialog at the folder open in the active file manager.
- Preview panel and themes
- F1 toggles a preview panel that can show media files as large images. Themes, window size, animation and sound can be changed, or you can build your own theme.
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
Flow Launcher
Flow Launcher$0
The complete launcher as an installer or portable ZIP, or through winget, Scoop or Chocolatey. Sponsorship is optional.
Ulauncher
Free$0
Open-source application, with optional donations.
Common questions
Which is cheaper, Flow Launcher or Ulauncher?
As of Nov 12, 2026, both Flow Launcher and Ulauncher are free to use.
Which has a free plan, Flow Launcher or Ulauncher?
As of Nov 12, 2026, both Flow Launcher and Ulauncher have a free plan.
Which platforms do Flow Launcher and Ulauncher run on?
As of Nov 12, 2026, only Flow Launcher lists a Windows app and only Ulauncher lists 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.