Homerow vs Raycast

Homerow

• Keyboard-focused Mac users who want to stop reaching for the mouse
• People used to Vimium-style link hints in the browser
• Buyers who prefer a one-time license covering several personal Macs

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

Homerow

• macOS only; the download button on the website says macOS 13 or later is required.
• The license is for personal use on your own Macs, and each license has a maximum number of device activations.
• It depends on the macOS Accessibility permission, and the terms say apps with limited accessibility support may not work fully.
• The unlicensed app shows a purchase reminder every 50 activations; the student discount of 30% needs a verified student email.

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.

Homerow

Labels on clickable elements

An activation shortcut, Command-Shift-Space by default, shows a label beside each button, link and control. Typing the label moves focus to it and Return clicks it.

Search by element name

Typing part of an element's text narrows the labels to matches. A labels-only mode turns search off so labels can be typed without holding Shift.

Right, double and Command clicks

Shift-Return right-clicks, Return pressed twice double-clicks, and Command-Return performs a Command-click, which opens a link in a new tab.

Scroll mode

A second shortcut starts scrolling the active area with H, J, K and L, with faster dashes on Shift, half-screen jumps on D and U, and keys for top and bottom.

Mission Control navigation

Version 1.5.0, released in March 2026, added keyboard navigation of Mission Control, along with sound effects for clicks and a redesigned settings window.

Custom shortcuts and Hyper key

Every shortcut can be changed in preferences, modifier-only shortcuts are allowed, and Caps Lock can be remapped to a Hyper key for activation.

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.

Homerow

• Homerow$49.99

  one-time purchase

  A personal license for all of your own Macs, with all future updates included and a 30-day money-back guarantee.

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.

Homerow

• Education

  30% off for students

  Homerow's FAQ says students get 30% off: entering a valid student email address on the pricing section sends a discount code.

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.