The Ueli Insider’s Guide
Everything we know about Ueli 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.
Ueli
The Insider’s Guide
Cross-platform keystroke launcher for Windows, macOS and Linux
Every plan, grade, refund rule and rival among desktop utilities, read from Ueli’s own pages.
Made by Oliver Schwendener · checked Oct 9, 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 Ueli’s own pages, its app-store listings and our grades. Every fact in it is on Ueli’s page too, where it is kept up to date. Checked Oct 9, 2026.
Part 01 · Overview
Welcome
What it is, who it suits, its grades and the ten things to know first
2.8
GPA, above 57 of the 94 other desktop utilities we grade
Ueli is a free, open-source keystroke launcher for Windows, macOS and Linux, written by Oliver Schwendener. A hotkey, Alt+Space by default, opens a search window for launching applications, and built-in extensions add file search, browser bookmarks, a calculator, currency conversion, web search and system commands. It is MIT licensed and listed free on the Microsoft Store; the Windows and macOS builds published on GitHub are unsigned.
To get you started, here are 8 things to know about Ueli, taken from its own pages and our grades.
File search on Windows needs Everything running, DeepL needs your own API key, and the hotkey may not work under Wayland.
- 1
Best for one free launcher across Windows, Mac and Linux
The GitHub builds are unsigned, so Windows and macOS block them until you allow the app by hand.
- 2
It is free
Ueli has no paid plan at all. The whole app is free and open source under the MIT license, and its Microsoft Store listing is priced at 0. The website has a Sponsor link for supporting development.
- 3
It runs on 3 platforms
Windows, macOS and Linux.
- 4
Application search
Alt+Space shows or hides the search window. Type to filter, move through results with the arrow keys and press Enter to launch the selected item.
- 5
Built-in extensions
Extensions are switched on or off in the settings and include Browser Bookmarks, Web Search, Custom Web Search, DeepL Translator, Visual Studio Code, JetBrains Toolbox and System Settings.
- 6
File search
Searches files and folders using mdfind on macOS and Everything on Windows, where Everything and its command-line interface must be installed and running.
- 7
A 2.8 GPA, above 57 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
Ueli is free, so making your own would save you nothing.
Ueli at a glance
- Pricing
- Free
- Free plan
- Yes
- Free trial
- None stated
- Runs on
- macOS, Windows, Linux
- Made by
- Oliver Schwendener
- Category
- Desktop Utilities
- Our grade
- 2.8 GPA, good
The report card
Best for one free launcher across Windows, Mac and Linux
Ueli is a free, open-source launcher for Windows, macOS and Linux: press Alt+Space, type, and it opens apps, finds files, does sums and converts currencies. The GitHub builds are unsigned, so Windows and macOS block them until you allow the app by hand. File search on Windows needs Everything running, DeepL needs your own API key, and the hotkey may not work under Wayland.
| Subject | Grade | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Value for money | A | Free and open source under the MIT license, downloaded and run with no paid tier anywhere. There's a Sponsor link on the site if you feel like it, and that's entirely up to you. |
| Free plan and trial | A | All of it is free, built-in extensions included, and the Microsoft Store listing is priced at 0. There's no paid version for anything to be kept back for. |
| Features | C | It launches apps, does sums and unit conversions, converts currencies, searches the web and your bookmarks and runs commands like lock and sleep. But file search on Windows needs Everything installed and running, and the DeepL extension needs your own API key, so two of its jobs lean on other software. |
| Ease of use | C | No store rating on record, and getting it running takes a bit of work. The GitHub builds are unsigned and not notarized, so Windows and macOS block them until you allow the app by hand, and Linux hotkeys may need a system shortcut under Wayland. |
| Platforms and integrations | C | It's a program for computers alone, which is one kind of device however many systems it runs on: Windows, macOS and Linux from one project, with no phone app and no API. It does hook into Everything, DeepL, Visual Studio Code and JetBrains Toolbox. |
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 Ueli is for
- Fits if you move between Windows, Mac and Linux and want the same launcher on all three
- Works for people who want a free, open-source keyboard launcher with no paid tier
Who it is not for
- Skip it if unsigned apps are a no on your work Mac, because macOS blocks it until you allow it by hand
- Not for you if you're on Linux with Wayland and want the hotkey to just work, as it may not
- Not for you if you want file search on Windows with nothing extra, since it needs Everything installed and running
- Watch out: the DeepL translator needs your own DeepL API key from a developer account
- Skip it if you want a launcher on your phone too, as there's no mobile app
Good to know
Good for
- People who want the same launcher on Windows, macOS and Linux
- Windows users who want a free keyboard launcher from the Microsoft Store
- Users who prefer open-source software with no paid tier
Worth knowing
- The GitHub builds are unsigned, and not notarized on macOS, so Windows and macOS block them until the user allows the app manually.
- File search on Windows depends on Everything and its command-line interface being installed and running.
- Global hotkeys may not work under Wayland sessions on Linux; the README suggests binding a system shortcut to the ueli command.
- The DeepL Translator extension needs the user's own DeepL API key, which a free developer account provides.
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
Ueli is free to use.
Free and open source under the MIT license, downloaded and run with no paid tier anywhere.
Ueli
$0
The complete launcher with all built-in extensions, from the Microsoft Store or winget on Windows and from the GitHub releases page for macOS and Linux.
The free plan
The whole app is free and open source under the MIT license, and its Microsoft Store listing is priced at 0. The website has a Sponsor link for supporting development.
Read from apps.microsoft.com on Oct 9, 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
Cross-platform keystroke launcher for Windows, macOS and Linux. Here is what it does, as its own site describes it, and what it covers: open source, keyboard-first, launcher, calculator.
It does hook into Everything, DeepL, Visual Studio Code and JetBrains Toolbox.
- Application search
- Alt+Space shows or hides the search window. Type to filter, move through results with the arrow keys and press Enter to launch the selected item.
- Built-in extensions
- Extensions are switched on or off in the settings and include Browser Bookmarks, Web Search, Custom Web Search, DeepL Translator, Visual Studio Code, JetBrains Toolbox and System Settings.
- File search
- Searches files and folders using mdfind on macOS and Everything on Windows, where Everything and its command-line interface must be installed and running.
- Calculator and conversions
- Calculations and unit conversions such as 2 inch to cm run in the search field, and a currency extension converts amounts at current exchange rates. Enter copies the result.
- Favorites and additional actions
- Cmd+K on macOS or Ctrl+K on Windows and Linux opens further actions for a result, including Add to Favorites, which keeps that item first in the results.
- System commands
- Operating system commands such as shutdown, restart, sign out, lock and sleep can be searched for and run with Enter on Windows and macOS.
Where it runs
- macOS
- Windows
- Linux
What it works with
- Everything
- DeepL
- Visual Studio Code
- JetBrains Toolbox
- WinGet
Ueli is made by Oliver Schwendener.
Part 04 · Standing
Where it stands
Its grades against its category, and whether to keep it or make your own
57/94
Other desktop utilities it is graded above
Ueli's GPA of 2.8 is higher than 57 of the 94 other desktop utilities we grade, and level with 26.
It stands best on free plan and trial (A, above 49 of 94) and worst on features (C, above 1).
Ueli 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 95 desktop utilities we grade, cut by the letter each got. Ueli’s own letter is outlined.
- AValue for moneyAbove 24 of 94
- AFree plan and trialAbove 49 of 94
- CFeaturesAbove 1 of 94
- CEase of useAbove 6 of 94
- CPlatforms and integrationsAbove 65 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. Ueli 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
Ueli is free, so making your own would save you nothing.
And it is not the kind of software a weekend replaces.
What you could make
- Calculator: an app builder makes this well.
What you could not
- A launcher wired into the operating system.
- Apps for macOS, Windows and Linux that stay in step with each other.
- It plugs into other products, Everything, DeepL and Visual Studio Code among them.
What this rests on. Ueli’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
Flow Launcher, Raycast, Alfred, Listary and Microsoft PowerToys
The 5 tools Ueli is most often weighed against, with where each one differs from it.
- 3.0GPA
Flow Launcher
Free
Free, open-source app launcher and file search for Windows.
- 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 Ueli lists a Linux app.
- Only Raycast lists an iOS app.
- Only Raycast lists a browser extension.
- 2.4GPA
Alfred
Free plan · from £34 one-time
Mac launcher with hotkeys, snippets and custom workflows.
- Only Ueli lists Windows and Linux apps.
- Ueli is open source, according to its own site.
- Alfred can be bought with a one-time purchase.
- 2.6GPA
Listary
Free plan · from $19.95 one-time
File search and app launcher for Windows with Quick Switch.
- Only Ueli lists macOS and Linux apps.
- Ueli is open source, according to its own site.
- Listary can be bought with a one-time purchase.
- 2.8GPA
Microsoft PowerToys
Free
Free Microsoft utilities for customizing Windows 10 and 11.
- Only Ueli lists macOS and Linux apps.
- Ueli also covers calculator.
- Microsoft PowerToys also covers window management, file management and keyboard and mouse remapping.
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 Ueli free?
Yes. Ueli is free to use.
How much does Ueli cost?
Ueli lists one plan. Ueli: $0.
What platforms does Ueli work on?
Ueli is available on Windows, macOS and Linux.
Does Ueli have an Android app?
No Android app was listed when its pages were read on Oct 9, 2026. Ueli is listed for Windows, macOS and Linux.
Does Ueli have an iPhone app?
No iPhone app was listed when its pages were read on Oct 9, 2026. Ueli is listed for Windows, macOS and Linux.
Is Ueli open source?
Yes. Ueli is open source, according to its own site.
What does Ueli integrate with?
Ueli's listing names Everything, DeepL, Visual Studio Code, JetBrains Toolbox and WinGet.
Who makes Ueli?
Ueli is made by Oliver Schwendener.
What are the alternatives to Ueli?
The closest alternatives to Ueli in our directory are Flow Launcher, Raycast, Alfred, Listary and Microsoft PowerToys.
How does Ueli compare with other desktop utilities?
Ueli's GPA of 2.8 is higher than 57 of the 94 other desktop utilities we grade, and level with 26.
Is Ueli good value for money?
ToolGPA grades Ueli A for value for money. Ueli has no paid plan.
Could I make my own version of Ueli?
Ueli 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 Ueli’s own pages on Oct 9, 2026, and the grades were given on Oct 10, 2026. Graded from this listing, whose facts were read from Ueli's own pages on 9 October 2026. Also tested with a demo account on 2026-03-15.
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 Oliver Schwendener. Prices change, so check ueli.app before you buy.
- ueli.app/
- github.com/oliverschwendener/ueli
- raw.githubusercontent.com/oliverschwendener/ueli/main/LICENSE
- apps.microsoft.com/detail/9pk44n42b2g7?hl=en-US&gl=US
- raw.githubusercontent.com/oliverschwendener/ueli/main/docs/Extensions/FileSearch/README.md
- raw.githubusercontent.com/oliverschwendener/ueli/main/docs/Extensions/Calculator/README.md
- raw.githubusercontent.com/oliverschwendener/ueli/main/docs/Extensions/CurrencyConversion/README.md
- raw.githubusercontent.com/oliverschwendener/ueli/main/docs/Extensions/DeeplTranslator/README.md
- raw.githubusercontent.com/oliverschwendener/ueli/main/docs/Extensions/SystemCommands/README.md
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
- Ueli, kept up to dateEverything in this guide, with prices and grades as they are todaytoolgpa.com/tools/ueli
- 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, "Ueli: The Insider's Guide", checked Oct 9, 2026. https://toolgpa.com/tools/ueli
Know someone choosing between desktop utilities?
Send them this guide: toolgpa.com/tools/ueli/guide
ToolGPA elsewhere: youtube.com/@toolgpa
See our other guides
The best-graded desktop utilities after Ueli, 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 Ueli’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. Ueli is a trademark of its owner, and this guide is not made, paid for or approved by Oliver Schwendener. Prices and plans change: check ueli.app before you buy.