Launchy review (2026): is it any good?
Open-source keystroke launcher with plugins and skins
Launchy report card
Very good · out of 4.0 · graded Nov 13, 2026
Best for a small launcher on Windows, Mac and Linux
Launchy indexes your start menu and opens programs, folders and bookmarks from a few typed letters, on Windows, macOS and Linux. The site dates neither its stable 2.5 nor its 2.6 beta, and the plugins page is Windows only and used at your own risk.
Who Launchy is for
- Fits if you want a small launcher that works the same on Windows, Mac and Linux
- Works for people who want to pay what they feel it is worth
Who Launchy is not for
- Watch out: the site doesn't date the stable 2.5 or the 2.6 beta, so it is hard to tell if it is kept up
- Skip it if you want plugins off Windows, as the plugins page is Windows only
- Not for you if you worry about safety of add-ons, since plugins and skins are not vetted by the maker and are used at your own risk
- Pricey if you feel the ask, because the page keeps asking for at least $3
Why Launchy gets a 3.0
Five grades, each with its reason. The GPA is their average: an A is 4 points, an F is none.
- AValue for moneyPay what you want: a free download, with $10 suggested and a request for at least $3.
- AFree plan and trialDownloading is free with nothing locked, though the vendor asks you to consider paying at least $3.
- CFeaturesStart menu indexing, plugins and skins. The plugins are Windows only and come from other developers, so the core job is covered but unevenly across systems.
- BEase of useNo store rating on record, but you install it and type; nothing needs setting up first.
- CPlatforms and integrationsWindows, macOS and Linux builds, computers only, with no phone or web version.
What these grades rest on. Graded from this listing, whose facts were read from Launchy'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/launchy#review"><img src="https://toolgpa.com/badge/launchy.svg" alt="Launchy: 3.0 GPA on ToolGPA" width="196" height="56"></a>Where Launchy stands among window managers and launchers
Launchy's GPA of 3.0 is higher than 47 of the 48 other window managers and launchers we grade, and level with 1.
It stands best on free plan and trial (A, above 23 of 48) and worst on features (C, above 1).
Launchy has no paid plan.
On features, ease of use and platforms it scores 2.3 out of 4, and no tool on the category's chart scores higher without costing more.
Each grade against the category
Every bar is all 49 window managers and launchers we grade, cut by the letter each got. Launchy’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
- BEase of useAbove 32 of 48, level with 16
- 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 Launchy, or make your own?
Keep it
Launchy 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 47 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. Launchy’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 Launchy?
Launchy is an open-source launcher that indexes the programs in your start menu and opens documents, folders and bookmarks from a few typed letters. It runs on Windows, macOS and Linux and can be extended with plugins and skins made by other developers. It is offered on a pay-what-you-want basis.
Worth knowing
- The latest stable version is 2.5, and the newest beta listed is 2.6 Beta 2; the site does not date either.
- The plugins page is Windows only, and its author says third-party plugins are used at your own risk.
- Plugins and skins come from other developers, with no vetting by the maker.
- The Android app mentioned on the site is a separate product.
Key features
- Start menu indexing
- Indexes the programs in the start menu and launches documents, project files, folders and bookmarks from a few keystrokes.
- Plugins
- Windows-only plugins from other developers cover tasks such as killing processes, a calculator and PuTTY sessions.
- Plugin development
- Plugins can be written in C++, or with add-ons in .NET or Python.
- Skins
- The look of the launcher can be changed with skins found in the Launchy forums.
- Several operating systems
- The download page lists builds for Windows, Mac OS X and Linux, with a source tarball.
Launchy pricing
As of Nov 13, 2026, Launchy is free to use.
- Starts at
- Free
- Free plan
- Pay what you want: it can be downloaded for free, with a suggested payment of $10 and a request to consider at least $3.
- Free trial
- None listed
| Plan | Price | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Pay what you want | $0 | Free download; the vendor suggests $10 and asks for at least $3, with options from $3 to $100. |
Read from launchy.net on Nov 13, 2026. Prices change, so confirm with Launchy before you buy.
Works with
- PuTTY
Launchy alternatives
- Launchy vs Wox
Free
Common questions
Does Launchy have an Android app?
No Android app was listed when its pages were read on Nov 13, 2026. Launchy is listed for Windows, macOS and Linux.
Does Launchy have an iPhone app?
No iPhone app was listed when its pages were read on Nov 13, 2026. Launchy is listed for Windows, macOS and Linux.
Is Launchy open source?
Yes. Launchy 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.