# Ulauncher review (2026): is it any good? > Open-source application launcher for Linux with extensions Checked Nov 12, 2026 ยท graded Nov 12, 2026 by ToolGPA. Ulauncher is an application launcher for Linux with fuzzy search that remembers earlier picks. It adds custom shortcuts, community extensions, a file browser mode and color themes. The source is on GitHub under the GNU GPL v3. - **Category:** Window Managers & Launchers - **Made by:** Ulauncher - **Website:** https://ulauncher.io - **Runs on:** Linux - **Who should skip it:** Not for you if you're on a Mac or Windows, as it's Linux only. - **Facts last checked:** Nov 12, 2026 ## Pricing As of Nov 12, 2026, Ulauncher is free to use. - **Pricing model:** Free - **Free plan:** The whole app is free; the site asks for optional donations through Patreon. - **Free trial:** None listed. | Plan | Price | What you get | | --- | --- | --- | | Free | $0 | Open-source application, with optional donations. | Read from https://ulauncher.io on Nov 12, 2026. Prices change, so confirm with Ulauncher before buying. ## Key features - **Fuzzy search:** Finds an application despite misspelling and remembers earlier picks to rank the best result first. - **Shortcuts and extensions:** Custom shortcuts and community-built extensions give quick access to scripts and web searches. - **File browser:** Type ~ or / to browse directories, with Alt+Enter for further options. - **Color themes:** Four built-in themes and support for custom ones. ## Good for - Linux desktop users who want a lightweight launcher - People who like adding small extensions ## Worth knowing - Linux only; the download page lists Ubuntu and Debian, Arch, Fedora, openSUSE and CentOS 7. - It launches and searches; it does not manage window layouts. ## ToolGPA grades **GPA: 2.6 out of 4**, graded Nov 12, 2026. Ulauncher is a free app launcher for Linux with fuzzy search, extensions and color themes. It launches and searches but doesn't manage windows, and it's Linux only. Look elsewhere if you use another system. - **Value for money: A.** Free, with optional donations through Patreon. - **Free plan and trial: A.** The whole app is free to use, with no tiers. - **Features: C.** Fuzzy search, shortcuts, extensions, a file browser and themes. It launches things, and doesn't arrange windows, which is what this category is for. - **Ease of use: C.** No store rating on record. You install it with your package manager and add extensions to get further. - **Platforms and integrations: D.** Linux only, with Ubuntu, Debian, Arch, Fedora, openSUSE and CentOS 7 listed. These are ToolGPA's own grades. Graded from this listing, whose facts were read from Ulauncher's own pages on 12 November 2026. Not based on using the product, and shorter than our full reviews. ## Where it stands among window managers and launchers - Ulauncher's GPA of 2.6 is higher than 14 of the 28 other window managers and launchers we grade, and level with 6. - It stands best on free plan and trial (A, above 16 of 28) and worst on platforms and integrations (D, above 0). - Ulauncher has no paid plan. - On features, ease of use and platforms it scores 1.7 out of 4. Nothing scores higher for less, though at least one tool matches that score at a lower price. The category's chart of price against score: https://toolgpa.com/charts/window-managers ## Keep it, or make your own? **Keep it.** Ulauncher is free, so making your own would save you nothing. And it is not the kind of software a weekend replaces. - You could not: A launcher wired into the operating system. - You could not: A real app for Linux. Something home-made would be a web page. A judgement by ToolGPA from this listing, by rules that are the same for every tool. Nothing was built to test it. **Tags:** Launcher, Open source, Keyboard-first ## Alternatives - [Albert](https://toolgpa.com/tools/albert): Plugin-based keyboard launcher for Linux and macOS. [Compare](https://toolgpa.com/compare/albert-vs-ulauncher) - [Ueli](https://toolgpa.com/tools/ueli): Cross-platform keystroke launcher for Windows, macOS and Linux. [Compare](https://toolgpa.com/compare/ueli-vs-ulauncher) - [Flow Launcher](https://toolgpa.com/tools/flow-launcher): Free, open-source app launcher and file search for Windows. [Compare](https://toolgpa.com/compare/flow-launcher-vs-ulauncher) - [Raycast](https://toolgpa.com/tools/raycast): Keyboard launcher with extensions, clipboard history and AI. [Compare](https://toolgpa.com/compare/raycast-vs-ulauncher) ## Sources The prices, plans, platforms and features above were read from these pages on Nov 12, 2026: - https://ulauncher.io - https://github.com/Ulauncher/Ulauncher - https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Ulauncher/Ulauncher/v5/README.md Page: https://toolgpa.com/tools/ulauncher Listed by ToolGPA (toolgpa.com).