Ueli vs Ulauncher (2026): which should you pick?
As of Nov 12, 2026, Ueli grades higher than Ulauncher: 2.8 against 2.6 out of 4.0.
Checked Oct 9, 2026 and Nov 12, 2026 · graded Oct 10, 2026 and Nov 12, 2026 by ToolGPA
Ueli 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 Ueli if
- Fits if you move between Windows, Mac and Linux and want the same launcher on all three
- Works for people who want a free, open-source keyboard launcher with no paid tier
Look elsewhere if
- Skip it if unsigned apps are a no on your work Mac, because macOS blocks it until you allow it by hand
- Not for you if you're on Linux with Wayland and want the hotkey to just work, as it may not
- Not for you if you want file search on Windows with nothing extra, since it needs Everything installed and running
- Watch out: the DeepL translator needs your own DeepL API key from a developer account
- Skip it if you want a launcher on your phone too, as there's no mobile 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
| 2.8GPAUeliGood | 2.6GPAUlauncherGood | |
|---|---|---|
| Value for money | AFree and open source under the MIT license, downloaded and run with no paid tier anywhere. There's a Sponsor link on the site if you feel like it, and that's entirely up to you. | AFree, with optional donations through Patreon. |
| Free plan and trial | AAll of it is free, built-in extensions included, and the Microsoft Store listing is priced at 0. There's no paid version for anything to be kept back for. | AThe whole app is free to use, with no tiers. |
| Features | CIt launches apps, does sums and unit conversions, converts currencies, searches the web and your bookmarks and runs commands like lock and sleep. But file search on Windows needs Everything installed and running, and the DeepL extension needs your own API key, so two of its jobs lean on other software. | 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, and getting it running takes a bit of work. The GitHub builds are unsigned and not notarized, so Windows and macOS block them until you allow the app by hand, and Linux hotkeys may need a system shortcut under Wayland. | CNo store rating on record. You install it with your package manager and add extensions to get further. |
| Platforms and integrations | CIt's a program for computers alone, which is one kind of device however many systems it runs on: Windows, macOS and Linux from one project, with no phone app and no API. It does hook into Everything, DeepL, Visual Studio Code and JetBrains Toolbox. | DLinux only, with Ubuntu, Debian, Arch, Fedora, openSUSE and CentOS 7 listed. |
| Best for | one free launcher across 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: Ueli and Ulauncher. How we grade
Price against what you get
Ueli 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.
Ueli scores higher for the same starting price. Of the other window managers and launchers on the chart, none scores higher than Ueli 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
- Ueli also covers calculator.
In commonFree planLinuxOpen sourceKeyboard-firstLauncher
At a glance
| Ueli | Ulauncher | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Free | Free |
| Starts at | Free | Free |
| Free plan | The whole app is free and open source under the MIT license, and its Microsoft Store listing is priced at 0. The website has a Sponsor link for supporting development. | The whole app is free; the site asks for optional donations through Patreon. |
| Free trial | None listed | None listed |
| macOS | ||
| Windows | ||
| Linux | ||
| Made by | Oliver Schwendener | Ulauncher |
| Price read from | apps.microsoft.com | ulauncher.io |
| Checked | Oct 9, 2026 | Nov 12, 2026 |
Worth knowing
Ueli
- The GitHub builds are unsigned, and not notarized on macOS, so Windows and macOS block them until the user allows the app manually.
- File search on Windows depends on Everything and its command-line interface being installed and running.
- Global hotkeys may not work under Wayland sessions on Linux; the README suggests binding a system shortcut to the ueli command.
- The DeepL Translator extension needs the user's own DeepL API key, which a free developer account provides.
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
Ueli
- Application search
- Alt+Space shows or hides the search window. Type to filter, move through results with the arrow keys and press Enter to launch the selected item.
- Built-in extensions
- Extensions are switched on or off in the settings and include Browser Bookmarks, Web Search, Custom Web Search, DeepL Translator, Visual Studio Code, JetBrains Toolbox and System Settings.
- File search
- Searches files and folders using mdfind on macOS and Everything on Windows, where Everything and its command-line interface must be installed and running.
- Calculator and conversions
- Calculations and unit conversions such as 2 inch to cm run in the search field, and a currency extension converts amounts at current exchange rates. Enter copies the result.
- Favorites and additional actions
- Cmd+K on macOS or Ctrl+K on Windows and Linux opens further actions for a result, including Add to Favorites, which keeps that item first in the results.
- System commands
- Operating system commands such as shutdown, restart, sign out, lock and sleep can be searched for and run with Enter on Windows and macOS.
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
Ueli
Ueli$0
The complete launcher with all built-in extensions, from the Microsoft Store or winget on Windows and from the GitHub releases page for macOS and Linux.
Ulauncher
Free$0
Open-source application, with optional donations.
Common questions
Which is cheaper, Ueli or Ulauncher?
As of Nov 12, 2026, both Ueli and Ulauncher are free to use.
Which has a free plan, Ueli or Ulauncher?
As of Nov 12, 2026, both Ueli and Ulauncher have a free plan.
Which platforms do Ueli and Ulauncher run on?
As of Nov 12, 2026, only Ueli 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.