Cerebro review (2026): is it any good?
Free open-source Electron launcher for Windows, Mac and Linux
Cerebro report card
Good · out of 4.0 · graded Nov 13, 2026
Best for a free launcher with plugins on Windows, Mac and Linux
Cerebro is an open-source Electron launcher that searches files, apps and the web, with an in-app plugin manager. Everything is listed at version 0.11.0 and the site footer reads 2023, and anything beyond plain search depends on community plugins.
Who Cerebro is for
- Fits if you want one free launcher across Windows, Mac and Linux
- Works for developers who want to write JavaScript plugins
Who Cerebro is not for
- Watch out: every download is 0.11.0 and the footer reads 2023, so updates may be slow
- Skip it if you want features out of the box, because most extras are community plugins
- Tight if your machine is short on memory, as it is built on Electron
- Not for you if you want paid support, since it is run by a small team of volunteers
Why Cerebro gets a 2.8
Five grades, each with its reason. The GPA is their average: an A is 4 points, an F is none.
- AValue for moneyFree and open source, with the plugin manager included.
- AFree plan and trialThe whole app is free, with no paid plan.
- CFeaturesSearches files, apps and the web and shows maps and translations in place. Beyond basic search it relies on community plugins, and the site lists more than 10 official ones.
- CEase of useNo store rating on record. It installs like any app, but plugins are where the extra features live.
- CPlatforms and integrationsWindows, Mac and Linux downloads, computers only, with no phone or web version.
What these grades rest on. Graded from this listing, whose facts were read from Cerebro's own pages on 13 November 2026. Not based on using the product, and shorter than our full reviews. How we review and grade.
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<a href="https://toolgpa.com/tools/cerebro#review"><img src="https://toolgpa.com/badge/cerebro.svg" alt="Cerebro: 2.8 GPA on ToolGPA" width="196" height="56"></a>Where Cerebro stands among window managers and launchers
Cerebro's GPA of 2.8 is higher than 35 of the 48 other window managers and launchers we grade, and level with 11.
It stands best on free plan and trial (A, above 23 of 48) and worst on features (C, above 1).
Cerebro has no paid plan.
On features, ease of use and platforms it scores 2.0 out of 4. Nothing scores higher for less, though at least one tool matches that score at a lower price.
Each grade against the category
Every bar is all 49 window managers and launchers we grade, cut by the letter each got. Cerebro’s own letter is outlined.
- AValue for moneyAbove 17 of 48, level with 31
- AFree plan and trialAbove 23 of 48, level with 25
- CFeaturesAbove 1 of 48, level with 33
- CEase of useAbove 8 of 48, level with 23
- CPlatforms and integrationsAbove 35 of 48, level with 12
Price against what you get
Each dot is one of 29 window managers and launchers. Further left costs less, and higher up scores better on features, ease of use and platforms. Point at a dot to see which tool it is.
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
Keep Cerebro, or make your own?
Keep it
Cerebro is free, so making your own would save you nothing.
And it is not the kind of software a weekend replaces. It is one of the better ones too: its GPA of 2.8 is higher than 35 of the 48 other window managers and launchers we grade.
What you could not
- A launcher wired into the operating system.
- Apps for macOS, Windows and Linux that stay in step with each other.
What this rests on. Cerebro’s listing: what it does, where it runs, what it plugs into and what it costs. It is a judgement about the kind of software this is. We have not built a replacement for it, and making your own means looking after it too. How we decide, and every tool’s verdict.
What is Cerebro?
Cerebro is an open-source launcher that searches files, applications and the web from one box. It shows results such as maps, translations and search suggestions in place, and a built-in plugin manager adds more. It is built with Electron and has download links for Windows, Mac and Linux, all listed at version 0.11.0.
Worth knowing
- It is built on Electron, which the vendor describes as its main cross-platform route.
- The site lists version 0.11.0 for all systems and its footer reads 2023, so it may be updated slowly.
- Functionality beyond basic search depends on community plugins.
- It is run by a small team of volunteers; no paid support is offered.
Key features
- Unified search
- Searches files and applications on the machine and the internet from a single box.
- Results in place
- Shows maps, translations and search suggestions without opening another app, and can reveal a file or copy contact details.
- Plugin manager
- Installs plugins from inside the app, with more than 10 official plugins listed.
- Plugin API
- A documented API lets developers build and share their own plugins.
- Cross-platform
- Downloads are offered for Windows, Mac and Linux.
Cerebro pricing
As of Nov 13, 2026, Cerebro is free to use.
- Starts at
- Free
- Free plan
- Free and open source, per the vendor.
- Free trial
- None listed
| Plan | Price | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | The whole application, including the plugin manager. |
Read from cerebroapp.com on Nov 13, 2026. Prices change, so confirm with Cerebro before you buy.
Cerebro alternatives
- Cerebro vs Wox
Free
- Cerebro vs Sol
Free
Common questions
Does Cerebro have an Android app?
No Android app was listed when its pages were read on Nov 13, 2026. Cerebro is listed for Windows, macOS and Linux.
Does Cerebro have an iPhone app?
No iPhone app was listed when its pages were read on Nov 13, 2026. Cerebro is listed for Windows, macOS and Linux.
Is Cerebro open source?
Yes. Cerebro is open source, according to its own site.
Sources for this page
The prices, plans, platforms and features above were read from these pages on Nov 13, 2026.