Alfred vs Quicksilver
Alfred
alfredapp.comQuicksilver
qsapp.comSide by side
| Figure | Alfred | Quicksilver |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | Free |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| macOS | Yes | Yes |
| iOS | Yes | — |
| API | Yes | — |
| Plans published | 5 | 1 |
| Spec score · App Launcher Software | 9.2 (#1) | 7.2 (#31) |
| Spec score · App Launchers | 9.2 (#2) | 7.2 (#30) |
| Spec score · App launchers | 9.2 (#2) | 7.2 (#30) |
| Integrations | Official documentation covers 1Password bookmarks; URLs remain accessible to Alfred while passwords stay protected in 1Password. | The site lists Apple Mail, Gmail, Safari, Chrome, Firefox, Calendar, and Reminders among its plugin capabilities. |
| Privacy | The maker says preferences, usage, and settings are stored locally on the Mac and are not sent to it or third parties. | The FAQ says Quicksilver does not phone home, collect analytics, or track usage, and that data stays on the user's Mac. |
| Support | The maker offers help through preference help icons, in-app search, its forum, Twitter, and email for license-related or private questions. | Support options include the manual, FAQ, GitHub Discussions, and GitHub Issues. |
Plans
Alfred
- Alfred coreFree
- Single License$34, paid once
- Single License£34, paid once
- Mega Supporter$59, paid once
- Mega Supporter£59, paid once
In their own words
Alfred
Alfred is a macOS productivity app for launching apps, finding files and web results, and controlling a Mac with hotkeys, keywords, and custom actions. Its search adapts to how someone uses the Mac and prioritizes results. The free core app covers app launching and file searching. Powerpack adds Clipboard History for copied text, images, and file paths, plus Snippets that expand short keywords into saved text. It also provides workflows for connecting objects and automating tasks, and file actions such as previewing, moving, copying, emailing, or revealing files in Finder. Workflows can connect to apps and services, including through APIs, and can be started by hotkey, keyword, or Alfred Remote button. Preferences can sync between Macs using Dropbox or a similar service. The maker says preferences, usage, and settings stay on the Mac, though workflows may contact servers or APIs. Alfred 5.8.1 is listed for macOS 10.14 or later on 64-bit Intel and Apple Silicon. The Single License costs £34 once for one user on two of their own Macs for the current version.