The Cerebro Insider’s Guide
Everything we know about Cerebro in one document: what it costs, its grades, getting a refund, getting help and what else to look at. Read it here, or keep a copy.
Cerebro
The Insider’s Guide
Free open-source Electron launcher for Windows, Mac and Linux
Every plan, grade, refund rule and rival among window managers and launchers, read from Cerebro’s own pages.
Made by CerebroApp · checked Nov 13, 2026 · toolgpa.com
Contents
- 01WelcomeWhat it is, who it suits, its grades and the ten things to know first
- 02What it costsEvery plan, the free plan, ways to pay less and how prices have moved
- 03What it doesIts main features, where it runs, what it works with and who makes it
- 04Where it standsIts grades against its category, and whether to keep it or make your own
- 05The alternativesThe tools it is most often weighed against, side by side
- 06Quick answersThe questions people ask about it, each answered in a line or two
- 07About ToolGPAWho made this guide, what else is on the site, and how to cite it
ToolGPA put this guide together from Cerebro’s own pages, its app-store listings and our grades. Every fact in it is on Cerebro’s page too, where it is kept up to date. Checked Nov 13, 2026.
Part 01 · Overview
Welcome
What it is, who it suits, its grades and the ten things to know first
2.8
GPA, above 35 of the 48 other window managers and launchers we grade
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.
To get you started, here are 8 things to know about Cerebro, taken from its own pages and our grades.
It installs like any app, but plugins are where the extra features live.
- 1
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.
- 2
It is free
Cerebro has no paid plan at all. Free and open source, per the vendor.
- 3
It runs on 3 platforms
Windows, macOS and Linux.
- 4
Unified search
Searches files and applications on the machine and the internet from a single box.
- 5
Results in place
Shows maps, translations and search suggestions without opening another app, and can reveal a file or copy contact details.
- 6
Plugin manager
Installs plugins from inside the app, with more than 10 official plugins listed.
- 7
A 2.8 GPA, above 35 of 48
That is against the other window managers and launchers we grade, on value, the free plan, features, ease of use and platforms.
- 8
Keep it
Cerebro is free, so making your own would save you nothing.
Cerebro at a glance
- Pricing
- Free
- Free plan
- Yes
- Free trial
- None stated
- Runs on
- macOS, Windows, Linux
- Made by
- CerebroApp
- Category
- Window Managers & Launchers
- Our grade
- 2.8 GPA, good
The report card
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.
| Subject | Grade | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| 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. |
An A is worth 4 points, a B 3, a C 2, a D 1 and an F nothing. The GPA is the average of the five.
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 it 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
Good to know
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.
Part 02 · Pricing
What it costs
Every plan, the free plan, ways to pay less and how prices have moved
Free
No paid plan at all
Cerebro is free to use.
Free and open source, with the plugin manager included.
Free
$0
The whole application, including the plugin manager.
The free plan
Free and open source, per the vendor.
Read from cerebroapp.com on Nov 13, 2026.
Part 03 · Features
What it does
Its main features, where it runs, what it works with and who makes it
3
Places it runs: macOS, Windows and Linux
Free open-source Electron launcher for Windows, Mac and Linux. Here is what it does, as its own site describes it, and what it covers: open source, keyboard-first, launcher.
Searches files, apps and the web and shows maps and translations in place.
- 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.
Where it runs
- macOS
- Windows
- Linux
What it works with
Its own pages name no integrations.
Cerebro is made by CerebroApp.
Part 04 · Standing
Where it stands
Its grades against its category, and whether to keep it or make your own
35/48
Other window managers and launchers it is graded above
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
- AFree plan and trialAbove 23 of 48
- CFeaturesAbove 1 of 48
- CEase of useAbove 8 of 48
- CPlatforms and integrationsAbove 35 of 48
Price against what you get
Each dot is one of 29 window managers and launchers. Further left costs less; higher up scores better on features, ease of use and platforms. Cerebro is the marked dot.
What paid plans start at, a month (each step along is roughly double) →
Keep it, or make your own?
Whether this is something you could build for yourself with an AI app builder, and what you would give up.
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.
Part 05 · Alternatives
The alternatives
The tools it is most often weighed against, side by side
Albert, Ulauncher, Wox, Sol and Vicinae
The 5 tools Cerebro is most often weighed against, with where each one differs from it.
- 2.6GPA
Albert
Free
Plugin-based keyboard launcher for Linux and macOS.
- Only Cerebro lists a Windows app.
- Cerebro is open source, according to its own site.
- 2.6GPA
Ulauncher
Free
Open-source application launcher for Linux with extensions.
- Only Cerebro lists Windows and macOS apps.
- 2.8GPA
Wox
Free
Open-source keyboard launcher for Windows, macOS and Linux.
- Wox also covers clipboard manager and window management.
- 2.8GPA
Sol
Free
Open-source macOS launcher and command palette.
- Only Cerebro lists Windows and Linux apps.
- Sol also covers clipboard manager, window management and calculator.
- 2.8GPA
Vicinae
Free
Keyboard-driven launcher for Linux, macOS and Windows.
- Vicinae also covers clipboard manager, window management and calculator.
Part 06 · Questions
Quick answers
The questions people ask about it, each answered in a line or two
11
Questions, each answered in a line or two
The short version of everything above, for when you only need the answer. Each one is told in full in its part of the guide.
Is Cerebro free?
Yes. Cerebro is free to use.
How much does Cerebro cost?
Cerebro lists one plan. Free: $0.
What platforms does Cerebro work on?
Cerebro is available on Windows, macOS and Linux.
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.
Who makes Cerebro?
Cerebro is made by CerebroApp.
What are the alternatives to Cerebro?
The closest alternatives to Cerebro in our directory are Albert, Ulauncher, Wox, Sol and Vicinae.
How does Cerebro compare with other 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.
Is Cerebro good value for money?
ToolGPA grades Cerebro A for value for money. Cerebro has no paid plan.
Could I make my own version of Cerebro?
Cerebro is free, so making your own would save you nothing. And it is not the kind of software a weekend replaces.
Where this guide comes from
The prices, plans, platforms and features were read from Cerebro’s own pages on Nov 13, 2026, and the grades were given on Nov 13, 2026. 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.
Every tool we list gets five grades, A to F, each with its reason, and a GPA that averages them. How each is decided is at toolgpa.com/grades. This guide is ToolGPA’s own work; it is not made, paid for or approved by CerebroApp. Prices change, so check cerebroapp.com before you buy.
Part 07 · About
About ToolGPA
Who made this guide, what else is on the site, and how to cite it
7,721
Tools graded, in 95 categories
ToolGPA grades software the way a school report grades a pupil: five subjects, a letter for each with the reason written beside it, and a GPA that averages them. Prices, plans and platforms are read from each maker’s own pages and dated, so you always know how fresh a figure is.
Every grade, review and ranking on ToolGPA is our own judgement. No company can pay for a grade or change one. Every tool on the site has a guide like this one, free to download and pass on. It all lives at toolgpa.com.
7,721
tools graded
95
categories
739
price changes on record
579
apps priced in 12 countries
What else is on toolgpa.com
- Cerebro, kept up to dateEverything in this guide, with prices and grades as they are todaytoolgpa.com/tools/cerebro
- How grades are givenThe rules behind every letter and every GPAtoolgpa.com/grades
- Value chartsWhat each tool costs against what it scores, for every categorytoolgpa.com/charts
- CompareAny two tools side by side, plan by plantoolgpa.com/compare
- Price changesEvery price rise and cut on record, each with its sourcetoolgpa.com/price-changes
- Prices by countryWhat apps cost on the App Store in 12 countriestoolgpa.com/prices-by-country
- Pay lessEvery public discount: yearly billing, students, nonprofitstoolgpa.com/save
- Keep or makeWhich tools are worth paying for, and which you could build yourselftoolgpa.com/keep-or-make
Scan for the live page
Prices and grades as they are today
Quoting this guide?
Please name ToolGPA and link to the live page, so readers can check the figures for themselves:
ToolGPA, "Cerebro: The Insider's Guide", checked Nov 13, 2026. https://toolgpa.com/tools/cerebro
Know someone choosing between window managers and launchers?
Send them this guide: toolgpa.com/tools/cerebro/guide
ToolGPA elsewhere: youtube.com/@toolgpa
See our other guides
The best-graded window managers and launchers after Cerebro, each with an Insider's Guide of its own.
- Window Managers & Launchers Insider's GuideEvery one of the 49 window managers and launchers we grade, compared
- Flow Launcher Insider's GuideFree, open-source app launcher and file search for Windows3.0 GPA
- Launchy Insider's GuideOpen-source keystroke launcher with plugins and skins3.0 GPA
- DockDoor Insider's GuideFree Dock window previews and Alt-Tab switcher for macOS2.8 GPA
Choosing software? Every tool graded, every price dated.
Compare tools at toolgpa.com ›Everything in this guide is ToolGPA’s own summary of what Cerebro’s pages, its app-store listings and public reviews said on the dates shown. Grades are our judgement under the rules at toolgpa.com/grades. Every grade, review and ranking on ToolGPA is our own judgement. No company can pay for a grade or change one. Cerebro is a trademark of its owner, and this guide is not made, paid for or approved by CerebroApp. Prices and plans change: check cerebroapp.com before you buy.