Raycast vs Setapp

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

Setapp

• Mac users who would otherwise buy several utilities separately
• People who like to try new apps without paying for each one
• Owners of several Macs and iOS devices, via the Power User plan

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.

Setapp

• There is no free plan; after the 7-day trial the Mac plan costs $14.99 a month plus tax.
• The base Mac plan covers a single Mac; iOS devices or more Macs need a higher plan.
• Unused AI credits reset each billing period and do not carry over.
• The help center also lists an iOS-only plan at $7.99 a month and two AI+ plans that the pricing page does not show.

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.

Setapp

App catalog under one membership

More than 300 Mac, iOS and web apps, grouped into Optimize, Work, Create, Develop and AI categories. App updates are included.

Utilities in the catalog

The catalog includes Paste for clipboard history, Mosaic for window layouts, CleanShot X for screenshots, Rocket Typist for text snippets and Timing for time tracking.

AI credits and AI apps

Around 40 AI-powered apps, such as TypingMind, BoltAI and Elephas, draw on one shared allowance of AI credits. Extra credits can be bought separately.

Device coverage by plan

Plans cover 1 Mac, 1 Mac with 4 iOS devices, or 4 Macs with 4 iOS devices.

Single-app purchases

An app can be bought on its own as a monthly or yearly subscription or a one-time purchase, as set by its developer. Single apps are available for macOS only.

Setapp for Teams

Team accounts let an admin invite and remove members and manage the team's devices and apps.

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.

Setapp

• Mac$14.99

  per month + tax, billed monthly ($107.88 billed annually)

  The full app catalog on 1 Mac, with 1,000 AI credits a month on monthly billing.

• Mac + iOS$18.99

  per month + tax, billed monthly ($134.88 billed annually)

  1 Mac and 4 iOS devices, with 1,000 AI credits a month on monthly billing.

• Power User$22.99

  per month + tax, billed monthly ($161.88 billed annually)

  4 Macs and 4 iOS devices, with 2,000 AI credits a month on monthly billing.

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.

Setapp

• Annual discount

  Save up to 40% with yearly billing

  The pricing page advertises savings of up to 40% on yearly billing. The help center lists the Mac plan at $107.88 a year against $14.99 a month.

• Education

  20% off the annual Mac + iOS plan for education

  Students, researchers and educators who sign up with an educational email address get 20% off the annual Mac + iOS plan: $107.88 a year against the regular $134.88. New subscribers only.