The Launchy Insider’s Guide
Everything we know about Launchy 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.
Launchy
The Insider’s Guide
Open-source keystroke launcher with plugins and skins
Every plan, grade, refund rule and rival among window managers and launchers, read from Launchy’s own pages.
Made by Josh Karlin · 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 Launchy’s own pages, its app-store listings and our grades. Every fact in it is on Launchy’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
3.0
GPA, above 47 of the 48 other window managers and launchers we grade
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.
To get you started, here are 8 things to know about Launchy, taken from its own pages and our grades.
No store rating on record, but you install it and type; nothing needs setting up first.
- 1
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.
- 2
It is free
Launchy has no paid plan at all. Pay what you want: it can be downloaded for free, with a suggested payment of $10 and a request to consider at least $3.
- 3
It runs on 3 platforms
Windows, macOS and Linux.
- 4
Start menu indexing
Indexes the programs in the start menu and launches documents, project files, folders and bookmarks from a few keystrokes.
- 5
Plugins
Windows-only plugins from other developers cover tasks such as killing processes, a calculator and PuTTY sessions.
- 6
Plugin development
Plugins can be written in C++, or with add-ons in .NET or Python.
- 7
A 3.0 GPA, above 47 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
Launchy is free, so making your own would save you nothing.
Launchy at a glance
- Pricing
- Free
- Free plan
- Yes
- Free trial
- None stated
- Runs on
- macOS, Windows, Linux
- Made by
- Josh Karlin
- Category
- Window Managers & Launchers
- Our grade
- 3.0 GPA, very good
The report card
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.
| Subject | Grade | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Value for money | A | Pay what you want: a free download, with $10 suggested and a request for at least $3. |
| Free plan and trial | A | Downloading is free with nothing locked, though the vendor asks you to consider paying at least $3. |
| Features | C | Start 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. |
| Ease of use | B | No store rating on record, but you install it and type; nothing needs setting up first. |
| Platforms and integrations | C | Windows, macOS and Linux builds, 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 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 it 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
Good to know
Good for
- Users who want a small, long-established launcher
- People who want to pay what they think is fair
- Linux and Mac users who want the same launcher on each system
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.
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
Launchy is free to use.
Pay what you want
$0
Free download; the vendor suggests $10 and asks for at least $3, with options from $3 to $100.
The 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.
Read from launchy.net 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
Open-source keystroke launcher with plugins and skins. Here is what it does, as its own site describes it, and what it covers: open source, keyboard-first, launcher.
The plugins are Windows only and come from other developers, so the core job is covered but unevenly across systems.
- 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.
Where it runs
- macOS
- Windows
- Linux
What it works with
- PuTTY
Launchy is made by Josh Karlin.
Part 04 · Standing
Where it stands
Its grades against its category, and whether to keep it or make your own
47/48
Other window managers and launchers it is graded above
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
- AFree plan and trialAbove 23 of 48
- CFeaturesAbove 1 of 48
- BEase of useAbove 32 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. Launchy 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
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.
Part 05 · Alternatives
The alternatives
The tools it is most often weighed against, side by side
Keypirinha, Wox, Executor, Albert and Ulauncher
The 5 tools Launchy is most often weighed against, with where each one differs from it.
- 2.4GPA
Keypirinha
Free
Free keyboard launcher for Windows with Python plugins.
- Only Launchy lists macOS and Linux apps.
- Launchy is open source, according to its own site.
- 2.8GPA
Wox
Free
Open-source keyboard launcher for Windows, macOS and Linux.
- Wox also covers clipboard manager and window management.
- 2.6GPA
Executor
Free
Free MIT-licensed keyword launcher built only for Windows.
- Only Launchy lists macOS and Linux apps.
- Executor also covers clipboard manager and calculator.
- 2.6GPA
Albert
Free
Plugin-based keyboard launcher for Linux and macOS.
- Only Launchy lists a Windows app.
- Launchy is open source, according to its own site.
- 2.6GPA
Ulauncher
Free
Open-source application launcher for Linux with extensions.
- Only Launchy lists Windows and macOS apps.
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 Launchy free?
Yes. Launchy is free to use.
How much does Launchy cost?
Launchy lists one plan. Pay what you want: $0.
What platforms does Launchy work on?
Launchy is available on Windows, macOS and Linux.
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.
What does Launchy integrate with?
Launchy's listing names PuTTY. A listing names up to eight integrations, so it may connect to more.
Who makes Launchy?
Launchy is made by Josh Karlin.
What are the alternatives to Launchy?
The closest alternatives to Launchy in our directory are Keypirinha, Wox, Executor, Albert and Ulauncher.
How does Launchy compare with other 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.
Is Launchy good value for money?
ToolGPA grades Launchy A for value for money. Launchy has no paid plan.
Could I make my own version of Launchy?
Launchy 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 Launchy’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 Launchy'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 Josh Karlin. Prices change, so check launchy.net 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
- Launchy, kept up to dateEverything in this guide, with prices and grades as they are todaytoolgpa.com/tools/launchy
- 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, "Launchy: The Insider's Guide", checked Nov 13, 2026. https://toolgpa.com/tools/launchy
Know someone choosing between window managers and launchers?
Send them this guide: toolgpa.com/tools/launchy/guide
ToolGPA elsewhere: youtube.com/@toolgpa
See our other guides
The best-graded window managers and launchers after Launchy, 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
- Cerebro Insider's GuideFree open-source Electron launcher for Windows, Mac and Linux2.8 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 Launchy’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. Launchy is a trademark of its owner, and this guide is not made, paid for or approved by Josh Karlin. Prices and plans change: check launchy.net before you buy.