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Raycast

raycast.com

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Spec score 9.5 #1 of 40 in App Launchers

What it is

Raycast is a set of productivity tools organized around an extendable launcher, where a keyboard-focused interface opens tools and runs workflows. Built-in features include Clipboard History, Calendar, Window Management, Snippets, Quicklinks, Notes, file search and Calculator. Its Store offers community-made extensions, with examples for Linear, Slack, Notion, Google Translate, Spotify, 1Password and Jira. Developers can build integrations with an extension API, and Teams can publish private extensions. Raycast AI includes chat, quick AI actions, agents, commands and extensions, and supports models from multiple providers. The free plan includes core features and thousands of extensions, with Clipboard History limited to three months and Notes to five. Pro costs $10 a month and includes 500 AI credits each month, cloud sync, dictation, custom themes, Translator, and unlimited Clipboard History and Notes. Raycast is available on macOS, Windows, iOS and iPadOS, but not Android. Its browser extension supports Chromium-based browsers, Safari and Firefox. Eligible new accounts can start a seven-day Pro trial; advanced AI models are excluded.

Spec sheet

What it does
Raycast is a keyboard-first launcher combining apps, files, commands, workflows and productivity tools in one interface.Read 14 Oct 2026 · raycast.com
Product
Raycast describes itself as a collection of productivity tools in an extendable launcher.Read 29 Sep 2026 · raycast.com
Trial
Eligible new accounts can start a free Pro trial with access to Pro models; advanced AI models are excluded from the trial.Read 29 Sep 2026 · raycast.com
Integrations
Official examples include Linear, Google Translate, Spotify, Arc, TinyPNG, 1Password, Jira, Slack, Zoom, Notion, Todoist, Google Chrome, Obsidian and CleanShot X.Read 14 Oct 2026 · raycast.com
Security
Enterprise features include SOC 2 compliance, annual penetration testing, GDPR alignment and CCPA readiness.Read 29 Sep 2026 · raycast.com
AI
Raycast AI includes AI Chat, Quick AI, Agents, AI Commands and AI Extensions, and supports models from multiple providers.Read 29 Sep 2026 · raycast.com
AI assistant
Raycast AI provides AI Chat, Quick AI and AI Extensions that can use connected tools and context.Read 14 Oct 2026 · raycast.com
AI privacy
Raycast says prompts are not logged or retained and its AI provider agreements prohibit training on user interactions.Read 29 Sep 2026 · raycast.com
Android availability
Raycast states that it is currently unavailable on Android and is offered for macOS, Windows, iOS and iPadOS.Read 14 Oct 2026 · raycast.com
API and SDK
The Raycast Platform API supports building extensions with React, Node.js and TypeScript, while the Store distributes them to users.Read 14 Oct 2026 · developers.raycast.com
Automatic updates
Raycast and Store extensions update automatically, while locally imported development extensions are managed by the developer.Read 14 Oct 2026 · manual.raycast.com
Browser extension
The browser extension supports Safari, Chrome, Firefox and Chromium browsers including Arc, Brave, Edge and Vivaldi.Read 14 Oct 2026 · rayca.st
Built-in tools
Built-in tools include Clipboard History, Calendar, Window Management, Snippets, Quicklinks, Notes, file search and Calculator.Read 29 Sep 2026 · raycast.com
Clipboard History
Clipboard History lets users retrieve previously copied content, with three months included on Free and unlimited history on paid plans.Read 14 Oct 2026 · raycast.com
Company founding and headquarters
LinkedIn lists Raycast as founded in 2020, headquartered in London and privately held.Read 14 Oct 2026 · uk.linkedin.com
Company legal name
Crunchbase lists the legal name as Raycast Technologies Ltd.Read 14 Oct 2026 · crunchbase.com
Company size
LinkedIn lists Raycast in the 11–50 employee range.Read 14 Oct 2026 · uk.linkedin.com
Core use
The launcher lets users access tools and perform workflows from a keyboard-focused interface.Read 29 Sep 2026 · raycast.com
Developer history
Raycast says it launched its API and Extension Store in 2021, with a React and TypeScript API for community extensions.Read 14 Oct 2026 · raycast.com
Developer requirements
Extension development requires Raycast 1.26 or newer, Node.js 22.14 or newer, npm 7 or newer, and familiarity with React and TypeScript.Read 14 Oct 2026 · developers.raycast.com
Development
Raycast provides an extension API for building integrations, and Teams can publish private extensions for their organization.Read 29 Sep 2026 · raycast.com
Encryption
Raycast says AI input and output are encrypted in transit using TLS and synced data is encrypted at rest using AES-256.Read 29 Sep 2026 · raycast.com
Extension licensing
Raycast Store extensions must use the MIT license in their package metadata.Read 14 Oct 2026 · developers.raycast.com
Extension permissions
Extensions are isolated in managed Node.js processes but are not additionally sandboxed for file access or networking and may require macOS permissions.Read 14 Oct 2026 · developers.raycast.com
Extension source
All Store extensions are open source and reviewed before publication, with CI checks for manifests, assets, authorship and build errors.Read 14 Oct 2026 · developers.raycast.com
Extension store
The Store lets users browse and install extensions built by the community.Read 29 Sep 2026 · raycast.com
File Search
Raycast v2 places file-search results directly in Root Search and reports faster indexing and typo handling.Read 14 Oct 2026 · raycast.com
Funding news
TechCrunch reported on September 25, 2024 that Raycast raised a $30 million Series B led by Atomico, with participation from Accel, Coatue, Y Combinator, Atlassian and World Innovation Lab.Read 14 Oct 2026 · techcrunch.com
iOS requirements
Raycast for iOS requires iOS 18 and is also available for iPadOS.Read 14 Oct 2026 · raycast.com
Licence
The Raycast application is proprietary and closed source, while its extensions are open source.Read 14 Oct 2026 · en.wikipedia.org
Limit: file search
A G2 reviewer describes Raycast file search as a poor experience and says it does not behave like a broad web-style search.Read 14 Oct 2026 · g2.com
Limit: iOS feature gaps
Apple App Store reviewers request mobile web-page extensions, custom commands and a mobile extension store, citing iOS limitations.Read 14 Oct 2026 · apps.apple.com
Limit: learning curve
A G2 reviewer reports that mastering the many keyboard shortcuts creates a steep learning curve.Read 14 Oct 2026 · g2.com
Limit: performance
Trustpilot reviews complain that version 2 is laggy, resource intensive and buggy, with some users staying on version 1.Read 14 Oct 2026 · trustpilot.com
Limit: subscription pricing
Trustpilot reviewers criticize the subscription requirement for visual customization and consider Pro expensive for synchronization alone.Read 14 Oct 2026 · trustpilot.com
macOS requirements
Raycast v2 requires macOS Tahoe and an Apple Silicon Mac; Sequoia or earlier must be upgraded first.Read 14 Oct 2026 · raycast.com
Notable release
Raycast released version 2.8 on October 14, 2026, claiming file search up to six times faster, extension installs about four times faster and about 20% lower startup memory use.Read 14 Oct 2026 · raycast.com
Notes
Raycast Notes provides five notes on Free and unlimited notes on paid plans.Read 14 Oct 2026 · raycast.com
Platform availability
Raycast is available for macOS, Windows, iOS and iPadOS; the maker says it is not currently available on Android.Read 29 Sep 2026 · raycast.com
Praise: extensibility
G2 reviewers praise the large extension library and the ability to build custom React-based extensions.Read 14 Oct 2026 · g2.com
Praise: productivity
G2 reviewers repeatedly praise Raycast as a fast Spotlight replacement that centralizes shortcuts, clipboard access, window management and integrations.Read 14 Oct 2026 · g2.com
Quicklinks
Quicklinks launch URLs or other destinations directly from Raycast.Read 14 Oct 2026 · raycast.com
Rating on Apple App Store
4.5 out of 5 from 250 ratingsRead 14 Oct 2026 · apps.apple.com
Rating on G2
4.7 out of 5 from 16 reviewsRead 14 Oct 2026 · g2.com
Rating on GetApp
0.0 out of 5 from 0 reviewsRead 14 Oct 2026 · getapp.com
Rating on Trustpilot
3.5 out of 5 from 10 reviewsRead 14 Oct 2026 · trustpilot.com
Security architecture
Raycast uses a notarized Developer ID application, encrypted local database, system Keychain storage and generally connects to third-party APIs directly.Read 14 Oct 2026 · developers.raycast.com
Snippets
Snippets expand reusable text from keywords to reduce repetitive typing.Read 14 Oct 2026 · raycast.com
Support and community
Raycast directs users to its Slack community and publishes a Manual and Troubleshooting resources.Read 29 Sep 2026 · raycast.com
Team limits
The non-expiring free Teams plan allows up to 5 shared Commands, 30 shared Quicklinks and 30 shared Snippets.Read 29 Sep 2026 · raycast.com
Window Management
Raycast includes built-in window management and paid custom window-management commands.Read 14 Oct 2026 · raycast.com

Plans and prices

Free Free Free Core features and thousands of extensions · 3 months Clipboard History · 5 Notes Read 29 Sep 2026 · raycast.com
Raycast Free Free Clipboard History 3 months · 5 Notes · core features · thousands of extensions Read 14 Oct 2026 · manual.raycast.com
Raycast Teams Free Free Private Store · up to 5 shared Commands · up to 30 shared Snippets and Quicklinks · no expiration Read 14 Oct 2026 · manual.raycast.com
Teams Free Free $0 / user / month Unlimited team members · Up to 5 Shared Commands · Up to 30 Shared Quicklinks · Up to 30 Shared Snippets · Private Store Read 29 Sep 2026 · raycast.com
Pro $10 a month $10 / month 500 AI credits/month · AI, Cloud Sync, Dictation, Custom Themes, Translator · Unlimited Clipboard History and Notes Read 29 Sep 2026 · raycast.com
Raycast Pro $10 a month monthly 500 AI credits/month · unlimited Clipboard History and Notes · Cloud Sync · Dictation · custom themes Read 14 Oct 2026 · manual.raycast.com
Raycast Teams Pro $15 a month per member monthly 500 AI credits/member/month · unlimited shared Commands, Snippets and Quicklinks · Private Store Read 14 Oct 2026 · manual.raycast.com
Teams Pro $15 a month $15 / user / month 500 AI credits/user/month · Unlimited Shared Commands, Quicklinks and Snippets · Private Store Read 29 Sep 2026 · raycast.com
Pro+ $20 a month $20 / month 3,000 AI credits/month · Top-tier AI models · Unlimited Clipboard History and Notes Read 29 Sep 2026 · raycast.com
Raycast Pro+ $20 a month monthly 3,000 AI credits/month · all models including top-tier · Cloud Sync · Dictation · unlimited Notes Read 14 Oct 2026 · manual.raycast.com
Raycast Teams Pro+ $25 a month per member monthly 3,000 AI credits/member/month · top-tier models · unlimited shared items · Private Store Read 14 Oct 2026 · manual.raycast.com
Max $50 a month $50 / month 7,500 AI credits/month · Top-tier AI models · Unlimited Clipboard History and Notes Read 29 Sep 2026 · raycast.com

Every Raycast plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Built-in tools include file search and Calculator.
  • An extension API supports custom integrations.
  • Teams can publish private extensions.
  • Browser extension supports Chromium, Safari and Firefox.

Limits

  • Raycast is not currently available on Android.
  • Free Clipboard History is limited to three months.
  • Free Notes are limited to five.

Who it suits

It suits people who want to launch tools and workflows from a keyboard-focused interface, and teams or developers building or sharing extensions. Users who need Android should note it is not available there.

Raycast in depth

Read the full write-up

Overview

Raycast is a keyboard-focused launcher that brings everyday utilities and extensible workflows into one interface. It suits people who want more than app launching, especially those who value integrations or shared team commands. Its free tier is capable, but short history and Notes caps make Pro the more complete personal plan.

Key features

Launcher and built-in tools

Raycast combines command launching and file search with Clipboard History, Calendar, Window Management, Snippets, Quicklinks, Notes and Calculator. That breadth makes it useful as a daily control point rather than just an app switcher; users who only need to open applications may not need its larger toolkit. Workflow support and cloud sync add continuity beyond individual commands.

Extensions and customization

The community Store offers thousands of extensions, with examples spanning Linear, Slack, Notion, Google Translate, Spotify, 1Password and Jira. This is a meaningful strength for users whose work already centers on those services. An extension API also lets developers build integrations, while organizations can publish private extensions. The tradeoff is that the broadest value depends on finding or building extensions suited to a user's workflow.

AI and browser extension

Raycast AI includes chat, Quick AI, Agents, commands and extensions, drawing on models from multiple providers. The browser extension can summarize the active tab and answer questions about it, and works with Chromium-based browsers, Safari and Firefox. That makes Raycast a plausible choice for users who want AI near their launcher and browsing workflow, though AI capacity varies considerably by plan.

Eligible new accounts can try Pro for seven days with access to Pro models, but advanced AI models are excluded. Raycast says prompts are not logged or retained and provider agreements prohibit training on user interactions. AI traffic uses TLS encryption, while synced data is encrypted at rest with AES-256. These protections address important privacy concerns, though they do not change the plan-based credit limits.

Pricing

Raycast is freemium. The Free plan costs nothing and includes core features and thousands of extensions, but limits Clipboard History to three months and Notes to five. It is a sensible starting point for launcher use and light utility needs; frequent clipboard retrieval or keeping more notes makes its caps consequential.

Pro costs $10 a month, billed $10 / month. It adds 500 AI credits/month, AI, Cloud Sync, Dictation, Custom Themes and Translator, plus unlimited Clipboard History and Notes. This is the clearest fit for an individual who wants the full personal toolkit and moderate AI use. Pro+ costs $20 a month, billed $20 / month, and raises the allowance to 3,000 AI credits/month with top-tier AI models. Max costs $50 a month, billed $50 / month, and raises it to 7,500 credits/month, also with top-tier models. Those higher tiers make sense for heavier AI use; otherwise, their extra credits may not justify the premium.

Teams Free costs nothing, billed $0 / user / month, with unlimited team members, a private Store, up to five shared Commands, 30 shared Quicklinks and 30 shared Snippets. It suits teams testing shared workflows, but the sharing caps can constrain established use. Teams Pro costs $15 a month, billed $15 / user / month, and provides 500 AI credits/user/month, unlimited shared Commands, Quicklinks and Snippets, and a private Store. Per-user billing makes it a more deliberate choice as a team grows.

Platforms

Raycast is available for macOS, Windows, iOS and iPadOS; it is not currently available on Android. The browser extension supports Chromium-based browsers, Safari and Firefox. Its desktop-oriented launcher is not a fit for Android users, while the iOS and iPadOS apps extend availability to Apple mobile devices.

Who it's for

Raycast is best suited to people who want keyboard-first access to built-in utilities, integrations and repeatable workflows, and to teams that benefit from shared commands or private extensions. Developers can use its extension API to create integrations. It is less compelling for someone seeking only a basic launcher, or for Android users who need platform availability there.

Pros and cons

Pros: A broad built-in toolkit reduces the need to keep separate utilities for search, notes, snippets and clipboard history.

Pros: A community Store, extension API and private team extensions support both off-the-shelf integrations and organization-specific workflows.

Pros: Teams Free has no member cap, giving small groups a way to share a limited set of commands and shortcuts without per-user charges.

Cons: The Free plan's three-month Clipboard History and five-Note caps can push regular users toward Pro.

Cons: AI credits are capped on paid tiers, so frequent AI use may require Pro+ or Max.

Cons: Android is not supported, excluding users who need a launcher on that platform.

Alternatives

For a broader comparison, see App Launcher Software.

Launchy is a free alternative for readers who want Windows or Linux support, or prefer a free download with an optional contribution.

Alfred is a macOS option with free app launching and file searching, plus a 34.00 USD once Single License for one user on two of their own Macs.

Ueli suits readers seeking a free launcher for Linux, macOS or Windows without a paid plan.

Winstep Nexus Dock is a Windows alternative for readers who specifically want a dock, with a free personal-use plan and paid business and Ultimate options.

Keypirinha is a Windows-only freeware choice with no nag screen, time limit or ads.

Walker is a free, open-source option for Linux desktop users.

Wox is a free, GPL-3.0-licensed alternative available on Linux, macOS and Windows.

Dropzone is a macOS alternative for readers who want a customizable app, folder and action grid, multiple grids and a file shelf.

Verdict

Choose Raycast if you want a keyboard-centered productivity hub with built-in utilities, a substantial extension ecosystem and room for shared team workflows. Its main advantage is that breadth; its main reason to look elsewhere is the combination of paid limits for full personal features and no Android support.

Verdict

Raycast combines a launcher, built-in utilities and a broad extension model, with optional AI and team features. Compare the free limits with Pro's 10.00 USD monthly price and confirm platform availability.

Where Specifiction places it

Alternatives to RaycastAll alternatives →