Best Windows Search Alternatives in 2026
Updated
20 tools from desktop search software ranked against Windows Search on the same published basis.
- 1Windows Search vs Recoll
- 2Windows Search vs Microsoft Quick Assist
- 3Windows Search vs Open Semantic Desktop Search
- 4Windows Search vs Buddi
- 5Windows Search vs DocFetcher
- 6Windows Search vs Precision File Search
- 7Windows Search vs Agent Ransack
- 8Windows Search vs DocFinder
- 9Windows Search vs FileLocator Pro
- 10Windows Search vs FoxTrot Search
- 11Windows Search vs Magpie
- 12Windows Search vs Mousepad
- 13Windows Search vs ProFind
- 14Windows Search vs Scherlokk
- 15Windows Search vs Searchmonkey III
- 16Windows Search vs Listary
- 17Windows Search vs dtSearch Desktop
- 18Windows Search vs EasyFind
- 19Windows Search vs Fluent Search
- 20Windows Search vs GlintIndex
Windows Search alternatives compared
| # | Tool | Score | Free plan | From | Runs on |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Recoll | 7.6 | Free plan | Free | Android, API, Linux, Mac, self-hosted, Web, Windows |
| 2 | Microsoft Quick Assist | 7.3 | Free plan | Free | Mac, Web, Windows |
| 3 | Open Semantic Desktop Search | 7.3 | Free plan | Free | Linux, Mac, self-hosted, Web, Windows |
| 4 | Buddi | 7.2 | Free plan | Free | Linux, Mac, Windows |
| 5 | DocFetcher | 7.1 | Free plan | Free | Linux, Mac, Windows |
| 6 | Precision File Search | 7.1 | Free plan | Free | Linux, Mac, Windows |
| 7 | Agent Ransack | 7.0 | Free plan | Free | Windows |
| 8 | DocFinder | 6.9 | Free plan | Free | Linux, Mac, Web, Windows |
| 9 | FileLocator Pro | 6.9 | No | — | API, Windows |
| 10 | FoxTrot Search | 6.9 | No | — | iOS, Mac |
| 11 | Magpie | 6.9 | Free plan | Free | Windows |
| 12 | Mousepad | 6.9 | Free plan | Free | Linux |
| 13 | ProFind | 6.9 | No | — | iOS, Mac |
| 14 | Scherlokk | 6.9 | No | $0.83/mo | Mac |
| 15 | Searchmonkey III | 6.9 | No | — | Linux, Mac, Windows |
| 16 | Listary | 6.8 | Free plan | Free | Windows |
| 17 | dtSearch Desktop | 6.7 | No | $102.08/mo | Windows |
| 18 | EasyFind | 6.7 | Free plan | Free | Mac |
| 19 | Fluent Search | 6.7 | Free plan | Free | Windows |
| 20 | GlintIndex | 6.7 | No | — | Linux, Mac, Windows |
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Questions about Windows Search alternatives
What is the best alternative to Windows Search?
Recoll, number 1 in desktop search software with a score of 7.6 out of 10. The others here: Microsoft Quick Assist, Open Semantic Desktop Search, Buddi and 16 more.
What is the best free alternative to Windows Search?
Recoll is the best-ranked alternative with a free plan. 13 of the 20 alternatives here publish a free plan on their own pricing pages.
How are these alternatives ranked?
Ranked on what each maker publishes, the fullest spec sheet first: how deeply the product is documented, the platforms it runs on, a free tier or trial to test it, and its standing.