The Flow Launcher Insider’s Guide
Everything we know about Flow Launcher 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.
Flow Launcher
The Insider’s Guide
Free, open-source app launcher and file search for Windows
Every plan, grade, refund rule and rival among desktop utilities, read from Flow Launcher’s own pages.
Made by Flow Launcher Team · checked Oct 6, 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 Flow Launcher’s own pages, its app-store listings and our grades. Every fact in it is on Flow Launcher’s page too, where it is kept up to date. Checked Oct 6, 2026.
Part 01 · Overview
Welcome
What it is, who it suits, its grades and the ten things to know first
3.0
GPA, above 84 of the 94 other desktop utilities we grade
Flow Launcher is a free, open-source launcher for Windows. A hotkey, Alt+Space by default, opens a search window that launches apps, finds files through Everything or Windows Search, runs web searches, system commands and shell commands, and does calculations. Community-made plugins, installed from a built-in Plugin Store, add further search sources such as Spotify, Steam and Obsidian.
To get you started, here are 8 things to know about Flow Launcher, taken from its own pages and our grades.
The code isn't signed, so Windows may warn you on first install, and help is GitHub, Discord and Reddit.
- 1
Best for a free keyboard launcher on Windows
Flow Launcher is a free, open-source Windows launcher on Alt+Space that opens apps, finds files, does sums and runs commands.
- 2
It is free
Flow Launcher has no paid plan at all. The whole app and its plugins are free and open source under the MIT license. The project asks for support through sponsorship.
- 3
It runs on Windows
Windows.
- 4
App and file search
Search for and launch apps, and find files or file contents using Everything or the Windows index, from a window opened with a customizable hotkey.
- 5
Web searches and bookmarks
Run a web search with your chosen search engine, open URLs and find bookmarks from different browsers.
- 6
System and shell commands
Shut down, restart, sleep or lock the PC, search Windows and Control Panel settings, and run batch or PowerShell commands as Administrator or another user.
- 7
A 3.0 GPA, above 84 of 94
That is against the other desktop utilities we grade, on value, the free plan, features, ease of use and platforms.
- 8
Keep it
Flow Launcher is free, so making your own would save you nothing.
Flow Launcher at a glance
- Pricing
- Free
- Free plan
- Yes
- Free trial
- None stated
- Runs on
- Windows
- Made by
- Flow Launcher Team
- Category
- Desktop Utilities
- Our grade
- 3.0 GPA, very good
The report card
Best for a free keyboard launcher on Windows
Flow Launcher is a free, open-source Windows launcher on Alt+Space that opens apps, finds files, does sums and runs commands. It's Windows 10 and later only, and extras like Spotify, Steam and Obsidian come from community plugins, not the core app. The code isn't signed, so Windows may warn you on first install, and help is GitHub, Discord and Reddit.
| Subject | Grade | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Value for money | A | Free and open source under the MIT licence, a plain install, and so are the plugins. The project asks for sponsors, and that part is up to you. |
| Free plan and trial | A | The whole launcher is free, as an installer, a portable ZIP or through winget, Scoop or Chocolatey. Nothing is kept back for a paid version. |
| Features | B | The launcher job is covered end to end: apps, files and file contents through Everything or Windows Search, web searches, bookmarks, system and PowerShell commands, sums, a preview panel and Dialog Jump for Open and Save boxes. A Plugin Store adds the rest. |
| Ease of use | B | No store rating is on record, but there's nothing to set up: press Alt+Space and type. One bump at the start, which the README admits: Windows may raise a security warning on first install because the code isn't signed. |
| Platforms and integrations | D | Windows only, version 10 and later, so a single operating system. It ties into Everything and Windows Search, and community plugins add the likes of Spotify, Steam and Obsidian. No Mac or Linux. |
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 Flow Launcher is for
- Fits if you want a keyboard launcher on Windows at no cost
- Works for people who already use Everything and want its results in a launcher
Who it is not for
- Skip it if you're on a Mac or Linux, as it only supports Windows 10 and later
- Not for you if you want a support desk, since help comes through GitHub, Discord and Reddit
- Not for you if unsigned software is a no on your work PC, because the code isn't signed and Windows may warn on install
- Watch out: Spotify, Steam, Obsidian and other extras are community-made plugins, not part of the core app
Good to know
Good for
- Windows users who want a keyboard launcher at no cost
- People who already use Everything or Windows Search and want it in a launcher
- Tinkerers who install or write their own plugins
Worth knowing
- Windows only; the download section says it supports Windows 10 and later.
- On first install, Windows may raise a security warning because the code is not signed, according to the README.
- Integrations such as Spotify, Steam and Obsidian come from community-made plugins and not from the core app.
- Help comes through GitHub, Discord and Reddit, and the project is funded by sponsors.
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
Flow Launcher is free to use.
Free and open source under the MIT licence, a plain install, and so are the plugins.
Flow Launcher
$0
The complete launcher as an installer or portable ZIP, or through winget, Scoop or Chocolatey. Sponsorship is optional.
The free plan
The whole app and its plugins are free and open source under the MIT license. The project asks for support through sponsorship.
Read from flowlauncher.com on Oct 6, 2026.
Part 03 · Features
What it does
Its main features, where it runs, what it works with and who makes it
1
Place it runs: Windows
Free, open-source app launcher and file search for Windows. Here is what it does, as its own site describes it, and what it covers: open source, keyboard-first, launcher, file management, calculator.
It ties into Everything and Windows Search, and community plugins add the likes of Spotify, Steam and Obsidian.
- App and file search
- Search for and launch apps, and find files or file contents using Everything or the Windows index, from a window opened with a customizable hotkey.
- Web searches and bookmarks
- Run a web search with your chosen search engine, open URLs and find bookmarks from different browsers.
- System and shell commands
- Shut down, restart, sleep or lock the PC, search Windows and Control Panel settings, and run batch or PowerShell commands as Administrator or another user.
- Plugin Store
- Install community plugins from the Plugin Store in Settings or by typing pm install. Plugins can be written in C#, F#, Python, JavaScript or TypeScript.
- Dialog Jump
- Search for a file or folder and jump an Open or Save As dialog to its path. Alt+G points the dialog at the folder open in the active file manager.
- Preview panel and themes
- F1 toggles a preview panel that can show media files as large images. Themes, window size, animation and sound can be changed, or you can build your own theme.
Where it runs
- Windows
What it works with
- Everything
- Windows Search
- Spotify
- Steam
- Obsidian
- GitHub
- Home Assistant
Flow Launcher is made by Flow Launcher Team.
Part 04 · Standing
Where it stands
Its grades against its category, and whether to keep it or make your own
84/94
Other desktop utilities it is graded above
Flow Launcher's GPA of 3.0 is higher than 84 of the 94 other desktop utilities we grade, and level with 8.
It stands best on free plan and trial (A, above 49 of 94) and worst on platforms and integrations (D, above 0).
Flow Launcher has no paid plan.
On features, ease of use and platforms it scores 2.3 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 95 desktop utilities we grade, cut by the letter each got. Flow Launcher’s own letter is outlined.
- AValue for moneyAbove 24 of 94
- AFree plan and trialAbove 49 of 94
- BFeaturesAbove 72 of 94
- BEase of useAbove 33 of 94
- DPlatforms and integrationsAbove 0 of 94
Price against what you get
Each dot is one of 55 desktop utilities. Further left costs less; higher up scores better on features, ease of use and platforms. Flow Launcher 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
Flow Launcher 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 3.0 is higher than 84 of the 94 other desktop utilities we grade.
What you could make
- Calculator: an app builder makes this well.
What you could not
- A launcher wired into the operating system.
- A file manager working directly on your disk.
- A real app for Windows. Something home-made would be a web page.
- It plugs into other products, Everything, Windows Search and Spotify among them.
- The depth: we grade its features B, which means it covers the whole job.
What this rests on. Flow Launcher’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
Microsoft PowerToys, Listary, Ueli, Raycast and Everything
The 5 tools Flow Launcher is most often weighed against, with where each one differs from it.
- 2.8GPA
Microsoft PowerToys
Free
Free Microsoft utilities for customizing Windows 10 and 11.
- Flow Launcher also covers calculator.
- Microsoft PowerToys also covers window management and keyboard and mouse remapping.
- 2.6GPA
Listary
Free plan · from $19.95 one-time
File search and app launcher for Windows with Quick Switch.
- Flow Launcher is open source, according to its own site.
- Listary can be bought with a one-time purchase.
- Flow Launcher also covers calculator.
- 2.8GPA
Ueli
Free
Cross-platform keystroke launcher for Windows, macOS and Linux.
- Only Ueli lists macOS and Linux apps.
- Flow Launcher also covers file management.
- 2.8GPA
Raycast
Free plan · from $96/yr
Keyboard launcher with extensions, clipboard history and AI.
- Only Raycast lists macOS and iOS apps.
- Only Raycast lists a browser extension.
- Flow Launcher is open source, according to its own site.
- 2.8GPA
Everything
Free
Instant file and folder name search for Windows.
- Flow Launcher is open source, according to its own site.
- Flow Launcher also covers launcher and calculator.
Part 06 · Questions
Quick answers
The questions people ask about it, each answered in a line or two
12
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 Flow Launcher free?
Yes. Flow Launcher is free to use.
How much does Flow Launcher cost?
Flow Launcher lists one plan. Flow Launcher: $0.
What platforms does Flow Launcher work on?
Flow Launcher is available on Windows.
Does Flow Launcher have an Android app?
No Android app was listed when its pages were read on Oct 6, 2026. Flow Launcher is listed for Windows.
Does Flow Launcher have an iPhone app?
No iPhone app was listed when its pages were read on Oct 6, 2026. Flow Launcher is listed for Windows.
Is Flow Launcher open source?
Yes. Flow Launcher is open source, according to its own site.
What does Flow Launcher integrate with?
Flow Launcher's listing names Everything, Windows Search, Spotify, Steam, Obsidian, GitHub and Home Assistant.
Who makes Flow Launcher?
Flow Launcher is made by Flow Launcher Team.
What are the alternatives to Flow Launcher?
The closest alternatives to Flow Launcher in our directory are Microsoft PowerToys, Listary, Ueli, Raycast and Everything.
How does Flow Launcher compare with other desktop utilities?
Flow Launcher's GPA of 3.0 is higher than 84 of the 94 other desktop utilities we grade, and level with 8.
Is Flow Launcher good value for money?
ToolGPA grades Flow Launcher A for value for money. Flow Launcher has no paid plan.
Could I make my own version of Flow Launcher?
Flow Launcher 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 Flow Launcher’s own pages on Oct 6, 2026, and the grades were given on Oct 10, 2026. Graded from this listing, whose facts were read from Flow Launcher's own pages on 6 October 2026. Also tested with a demo account on 2026-07-29.
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 Flow Launcher Team. Prices change, so check flowlauncher.com before you buy.
Part 07 · About
About ToolGPA
Who made this guide, what else is on the site, and how to cite it
3,189
Tools graded, in 94 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.
3,189
tools graded
94
categories
426
price changes on record
579
apps priced in 12 countries
What else is on toolgpa.com
- Flow Launcher, kept up to dateEverything in this guide, with prices and grades as they are todaytoolgpa.com/tools/flow-launcher
- 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, "Flow Launcher: The Insider's Guide", checked Oct 6, 2026. https://toolgpa.com/tools/flow-launcher
Know someone choosing between desktop utilities?
Send them this guide: toolgpa.com/tools/flow-launcher/guide
ToolGPA elsewhere: youtube.com/@toolgpa
See our other guides
The best-graded desktop utilities after Flow Launcher, each with an Insider's Guide of its own.
- Desktop Utilities Insider's GuideEvery one of the 95 desktop utilities we grade, compared
- LocalSend Insider's GuideOpen-source file sharing between nearby devices, no cloud3.2 GPA
- Ninite Insider's GuideInstalls and updates many Windows apps at once3.2 GPA
- 7-Zip Insider's GuideFree, open-source file archiver with the 7z format3.0 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 Flow Launcher’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. Flow Launcher is a trademark of its owner, and this guide is not made, paid for or approved by Flow Launcher Team. Prices and plans change: check flowlauncher.com before you buy.