Alfred
Mac launcher with hotkeys, snippets and custom workflows
Our verdict
Third of our top three desktop utilities
For: Mac users who would rather buy once than subscribe
Alfred is a Mac launcher whose core is free to use forever: it opens apps, finds files and searches the web from one search bar. The Powerpack is a one-time £34 for Alfred 5, or £59 with free upgrades to future versions, and adds clipboard history, snippets, file actions and workflows that chain steps together without code. It is third because all of those need the Powerpack, where Raycast's free plan includes clipboard history and snippets and everything in PowerToys is free, and because it runs on the Mac only. Prices are shown in pounds sterling only, and the £34 license is tied to Alfred 5, so a later major version is a discounted paid upgrade.
See all three and how we rankWhat is Alfred?
Alfred is a launcher for macOS that opens apps, finds files and searches the web from a keyboard-driven search bar. The core app is free. A paid add-on, the Powerpack, unlocks clipboard history, snippet expansion, file actions and workflows that chain steps together without code. The Powerpack is a one-time purchase and is priced in pounds sterling.
Alfred has a free plan. Paid plans start at £34 one-time purchase (Powerpack Single License). See every plan
Good for
- Mac users who want a keyboard launcher without a subscription
- People who automate repetitive tasks with their own workflows
- Buyers who want to pay once, with optional lifetime upgrades
Worth knowing
- macOS only (10.14 or later). Alfred Remote for iOS is a separate purchase on the App Store.
- Clipboard history, snippets, workflows and file actions all require the paid Powerpack.
- Prices are shown in pounds sterling only; the vendor's site gives no US dollar price.
- The Single License is tied to Alfred 5; moving to a later major version is a discounted paid upgrade unless you hold Mega Supporter.
Key features
- App, file and web search
- Launch apps, find files on your Mac and search websites with default or custom search keywords, all from one search bar.
- Workflows
- A Powerpack feature that connects triggers and actions like building blocks to automate tasks without code. Thousands of community workflows can be imported.
- Clipboard History
- With the Powerpack, Alfred keeps the text, images and file links you copy for 24 hours, 7 days, 1 month or 3 months, so an earlier item can be found and pasted again.
- Snippets and text expansion
- With the Powerpack, saved snippets expand automatically when you type a short keyword.
- File actions and Terminal commands
- The Powerpack adds actions on files, such as emailing, moving, copying and revealing in Finder, and runs Terminal commands and scripts from Alfred.
- System commands and hotkeys
- Sleep the Mac, empty the Trash or start the screensaver with a keyword. The Powerpack adds custom hotkeys and keywords for apps and sites.
Alfred pricing
- Starts at
- £34 one-time purchase (Powerpack Single License)
- Free plan
- The core of Alfred is free to use forever, covering app, file and web search. Powerpack features such as workflows, clipboard history and snippets are not included.
- Free trial
- None listed
| Plan | Price | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Alfred (free) | £0 | The core launcher for searching your Mac and the web. Free to use in a personal, educational or business setting. |
| Powerpack Single License | £34one-time purchase, license for Alfred 5 | Unlocks the Powerpack for one user on Alfred 5: workflows, clipboard history, snippets, file actions, themes and settings sync. |
| Powerpack Mega Supporter | £59one-time purchase, free lifetime upgrades | The same Powerpack features for one user, with free upgrades to future versions of Alfred. |
Read from alfredapp.com on Oct 4, 2026. Prices change, so confirm with Alfred before you buy.
Ways to pay less
- Lifetime licenseMega Supporter license with free lifetime upgrades
The £59 Mega Supporter license includes free upgrades to future versions of Alfred. The £34 Single License covers Alfred 5.
Stated on alfredapp.com - Other savingsUpgrade discount for older licenses
Holders of a Single User or Family license for an earlier version of Alfred can upgrade to the current Powerpack at a discount.
Stated on alfredapp.com
Works with
- 1Password
- Music.app
Alfred alternatives
- Alfred vs Raycast
Free plan · from $96/yr
- Alfred vs TextExpander
Free plan · from $5/mo
- Alfred vs Paste
Free trial · from $2.49/mo
Featured in
Common questions
Is Alfred free?
Alfred has a free plan. The core of Alfred is free to use forever, covering app, file and web search. Powerpack features such as workflows, clipboard history and snippets are not included. Paid plans start at £34 one-time purchase (Powerpack Single License).
How much does Alfred cost?
Alfred lists 3 plans. Alfred (free): £0. Powerpack Single License: £34 one-time purchase, license for Alfred 5. Powerpack Mega Supporter: £59 one-time purchase, free lifetime upgrades. Prices were read from alfredapp.com on Oct 4, 2026.
What platforms does Alfred work on?
Alfred is available on macOS.
Does Alfred offer any discounts?
Alfred publicly lists the following: Mega Supporter license with free lifetime upgrades; Upgrade discount for older licenses.
Does Alfred have an Android app?
No Android app was listed when its pages were read on Oct 4, 2026. Alfred is listed for macOS.
Does Alfred have an iPhone app?
No iPhone app was listed when its pages were read on Oct 4, 2026. Alfred is listed for macOS.
Is Alfred open source?
Alfred is not described as open source on its own site, as read on Oct 4, 2026.
What does Alfred integrate with?
Alfred's listing names 1Password and Music.app. A listing names up to eight integrations, so it may connect to more.
Who makes Alfred?
Alfred is made by Running with Crayons Ltd. It dates from 2010.
What are the alternatives to Alfred?
The closest alternatives to Alfred in our directory are Raycast, TextExpander and Paste. Each one has a side-by-side comparison with Alfred.
Sources for this page
The prices, plans, platforms and features above were read from these pages on Oct 4, 2026.