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Wox review (2026): is it any good?

Open-source keyboard launcher for Windows, macOS and Linux

FreeWindows & LaunchersChecked Nov 13, 2026 · graded Nov 13, 2026 by ToolGPA
Visit woxlauncher.comFree guide
Wox, as pictured on woxlauncher.com
How Wox presents itself. Image from woxlauncher.com.

Our verdict

Third of our top three window managers and launchers

For: Anyone who wants one free launcher on Windows, Mac and Linux

Wox opens apps, finds files and switches windows from one input, and its built-in tools add clipboard history, a calculator, a unit and currency converter, floating notes, screen capture, saved window layouts and AI chat, with Node.js and Python plugins from a store. The whole program is free and open source under GPL-3.0. It is third because its listing is thinner than the two above: window layouts get one line, snippets and key remapping are not listed, and its pages do not say whether AI chat needs your own model key. On Linux it installs mainly through package managers such as AUR, and it is a community project with no paid support.

See all three and how we rank

Wox report card

2.8GPA

Good · out of 4.0 · graded Nov 13, 2026

Best for a free launcher on Windows, Mac and Linux

Wox is an open-source launcher for Windows, macOS and Linux that opens apps, finds files and recalls clipboard history, with plugins and themes from its own stores. The pages don't say whether its AI chat comes with a model or needs your own key, and it has no phone or web side.

Who Wox is for

  • Fits if you use more than one desktop operating system and want the same launcher on each
  • Works for people who want to write their own plugins in Node.js or Python

Who Wox is not for

  • Watch out: AI chat and AI commands need a model, and the pages don't say if one is included or needs your own key
  • Skip it if you want paid support, because it is a community project with none stated
  • Tight if you use Linux, as the install routes are mainly package managers
  • Not for you if you remember the old wox.one site, which is no longer the project's home
See the alternatives

Why Wox gets a 2.8

Five grades, each with its reason. The GPA is their average: an A is 4 points, an F is none.

  • AValue for moneyThe whole program is free under the GPL-3.0 license, including the plugin and theme stores.
  • AFree plan and trialNo paid plan and no caps on the listing.
  • CFeaturesApp and file launching, clipboard history, a converter, notes, window layouts, plugins and AI chat. The AI side is vague about what it needs to run.
  • CEase of useNo store rating on record. Plugins and themes come from stores, and Linux installs are mainly through package managers such as AUR.
  • CPlatforms and integrationsWindows, macOS and Linux, but computers only, with no phone or web version.

What these grades rest on. Graded from this listing, whose facts were read from Wox'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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Wox: 2.8 GPA on ToolGPA

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Where Wox stands among window managers and launchers

Wox's GPA of 2.8 is higher than 35 of the 48 other window managers and launchers we grade, and level with 11.

It stands best on free plan and trial (A, above 23 of 48) and worst on features (C, above 1).

Wox 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 49 window managers and launchers we grade, cut by the letter each got. Wox’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
  • CEase of useAbove 8 of 48, level with 23
  • 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

D1.0C2.0B3.0A4.0Free$0.5$1$2$5$10More for lessCosts more, scores moreCosts less, scores lessCosts more, scores lessWox

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
The full chart, and the best window managers and launchers at every price

Keep Wox, or make your own?

Keep it

Wox 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 2.8 is higher than 35 of the 48 other window managers and launchers we grade.

What you could not

  • A launcher wired into the operating system.
  • Control over other apps' windows.
  • A clipboard history running in the background of your computer.
  • Apps for macOS, Windows and Linux that stay in step with each other.
  • AI features, unless you pay a model provider for each request yourself.

What this rests on. Wox’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 Wox?

Wox is a keyboard launcher that opens apps, finds files, runs commands and recalls clipboard history from a single input. Built-in features also cover a calculator, unit and currency converter, notes, screenshots, window layouts and AI chat. It is released under the GPL-3.0 license and can be extended with plugins and themes from its stores.

Worth knowing

  • Linux support is listed, but the install options are mainly package managers such as AUR.
  • AI chat and AI commands need access to a model; the pages read do not say whether that is included or needs your own key.
  • The domain wox.one is no longer the project's site; the project now lives at woxlauncher.com.
  • It is a community project with no paid support option stated.

Key features

App and file launching
Opens applications, switches windows and searches local files and folders from the launcher.
Built-in utilities
Clipboard history, a calculator, a converter for units, currencies, dates and time zones, floating notes and screen-area capture.
Window layouts
Arranges windows and restores saved layouts.
Plugins and themes
Extends the launcher with Node.js, Python or script plugins from a plugin store, and offers community themes.
AI chat and commands
Includes AI chat, reusable AI commands, and AI-assisted plugin and theme creation.
Cloud sync and backup
Syncs settings across devices and backs them up and restores them.

Wox pricing

As of Nov 13, 2026, Wox is free to use.

Starts at
Free
Free plan
The whole program is free and open source under the GPL-3.0 license.
Free trial
None listed
Free$0All built-in features and the plugin and theme stores.

Read from woxlauncher.com on Nov 13, 2026. Prices change, so confirm with Wox before you buy.

Pricing in detail

Wox alternatives

All Wox alternatives comparedAll window managers and launchers

Common questions

Does Wox have an Android app?

No Android app was listed when its pages were read on Nov 13, 2026. Wox is listed for Windows, macOS and Linux.

Does Wox have an iPhone app?

No iPhone app was listed when its pages were read on Nov 13, 2026. Wox is listed for Windows, macOS and Linux.

Is Wox open source?

Yes. Wox 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.