Alfred vs True Launch Bar
Alfred
alfredapp.comTrue Launch Bar
truelaunchbar.comSide by side
| Figure | Alfred | True Launch Bar |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | Free |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | — | Yes |
| Open source | — | — |
| Windows | — | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | — |
| iOS | Yes | — |
| API | Yes | — |
| Plans published | 5 | 3 |
| Spec score · App Launcher Software | 9.2 (#1) | 8.3 (#11) |
| Spec score · App Launchers | 9.2 (#2) | 8.4 (#9) |
| Spec score · App launchers | 9.2 (#2) | 8.7 (#6) |
| Compatibility | The site lists Alfred 5.8.1 as requiring macOS 10.14 or later and supporting 64-bit Intel and Apple Silicon. | The vendor lists Windows 8, 10, and 11 64-bit as the system requirements for the current download. |
| Documentation and support | The help center documents features, workflow objects, tutorials and troubleshooting, while the Alfred Forum provides community support for workflows and bugs. | Official help consists of a FAQ, user forum and email support, with the support page stating typical replies within 48 hours. |
| Integrations | Official documentation covers 1Password bookmarks; URLs remain accessible to Alfred while passwords stay protected in 1Password. | The feature list names integration with StartKiller, which can open a True Launch Bar menu in place of the Start menu. |
| Latest release | Alfred 5.8.1 build 2349 was released on 24 September 2026 with Light Mode, macOS 27 System Settings and Chrome bookmark improvements. | The official home page identifies version 8.0 as the stable release dated December 1, 2022. |
| License limits | Personal Powerpack licenses are for individual use; the Single User license covers one user on two of their own Macs for the current version. | The license terms describe personal, home, business, and corporate license scopes, including use on one, four, forty, or unlimited company computers respectively. |
| Privacy | The maker says preferences, usage, and settings are stored locally on the Mac and are not sent to it or third parties. | The vendor says the software contains no spyware or adware and does not phone home; no personal information is required to download or install it. |
| Purpose | Alfred is a macOS productivity app for launching apps, searching files and the web, and controlling a Mac with hotkeys, keywords, and custom actions. | True Launch Bar is a Windows Quick Launch replacement for organizing shortcuts and files in customizable taskbar menus. |
| Support | The maker offers help through preference help icons, in-app search, its forum, Twitter, and email for license-related or private questions. | The license page says registered software receives free updates and free support. |
| What it does | Alfred is a macOS productivity launcher using hotkeys, keywords and text expansion to search the Mac and web and run custom actions. | True Launch Bar replaces Windows Quick Launch with customizable taskbar menus for applications, files and folders. |
Plans
Alfred
- Alfred coreFree
- Single License$34, paid once
- Single License£34, paid once
- Mega Supporter$59, paid once
- Mega Supporter£59, paid once
True Launch Bar
- True Launch BarFree
- True Launch Bar 8.0 freewareFree
- Legacy registration$19.90, 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.
True Launch Bar
True Launch Bar has no write-up on Specifiction yet; its figures are above.