# Cerebro review (2026): is it any good? > Free open-source Electron launcher for Windows, Mac and Linux Checked Nov 13, 2026 ยท graded Nov 13, 2026 by ToolGPA. 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. - **Category:** Window Managers & Launchers - **Made by:** CerebroApp - **Website:** https://www.cerebroapp.com/ - **Runs on:** Windows, macOS, Linux - **Who should skip it:** Watch out: every download is 0.11.0 and the footer reads 2023, so updates may be slow. - **Facts last checked:** Nov 13, 2026 ## Pricing As of Nov 13, 2026, Cerebro is free to use. - **Pricing model:** 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 https://www.cerebroapp.com/ on Nov 13, 2026. Prices change, so confirm with Cerebro before buying. ## 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. ## Good for - Users who want one free launcher across Windows, Mac and Linux - Developers who want to write JavaScript plugins - People who want search suggestions and maps inside the launcher ## 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. ## ToolGPA grades **GPA: 2.8 out of 4**, graded Nov 13, 2026. 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. - **Value for money: A.** Free and open source, with the plugin manager included. - **Free plan and trial: A.** The whole app is free, with no paid plan. - **Features: C.** Searches 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. - **Ease of use: C.** No store rating on record. It installs like any app, but plugins are where the extra features live. - **Platforms and integrations: C.** Windows, Mac and Linux downloads, computers only, with no phone or web version. These are ToolGPA's own grades. 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. ## Where it 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. The category's chart of price against score: https://toolgpa.com/charts/window-managers ## Keep it, 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. - You could not: A launcher wired into the operating system. - You could not: Apps for macOS, Windows and Linux that stay in step with each other. A judgement by ToolGPA from this listing, by rules that are the same for every tool. Nothing was built to test it. **Tags:** Launcher, Open source, Keyboard-first ## Alternatives - [Albert](https://toolgpa.com/tools/albert): Plugin-based keyboard launcher for Linux and macOS. [Compare](https://toolgpa.com/compare/albert-vs-cerebro) - [Ulauncher](https://toolgpa.com/tools/ulauncher): Open-source application launcher for Linux with extensions. [Compare](https://toolgpa.com/compare/cerebro-vs-ulauncher) - [Wox](https://toolgpa.com/tools/wox): Open-source keyboard launcher for Windows, macOS and Linux. [Compare](https://toolgpa.com/compare/cerebro-vs-wox) - [Sol](https://toolgpa.com/tools/sol): Open-source macOS launcher and command palette. [Compare](https://toolgpa.com/compare/cerebro-vs-sol) - [Vicinae](https://toolgpa.com/tools/vicinae): Keyboard-driven launcher for Linux, macOS and Windows. [Compare](https://toolgpa.com/compare/cerebro-vs-vicinae) ## Sources The prices, plans, platforms and features above were read from these pages on Nov 13, 2026: - https://www.cerebroapp.com/ Page: https://toolgpa.com/tools/cerebro Listed by ToolGPA (toolgpa.com).