Command Wheel vs LaunchMenu
Command Wheel
karusystems.comLaunchMenu
launchmenu.github.ioSide by side
| Figure | Command Wheel | LaunchMenu |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | — | Free |
| Free plan | — | Yes |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | — | Yes |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | — | Yes |
| API | — | Yes |
| Plans published | 1 | 1 |
| Spec score · Start Menu Customization Software | 7.7 (#18) | 8.6 (#3) |
| What it does | Command Wheel is a customizable radial launcher that opens at the pointer and provides quick access to applications, websites, files, folders, keyboard shortcuts, text snippets, and PowerShell commands. | LaunchMenu is an open-source, keyboard-focused desktop utility platform that exposes utilities through applets. |
Plans
In their own words
Command Wheel
Command Wheel has no write-up on Specifiction yet; its figures are above.
LaunchMenu
LaunchMenu is a free, open-source launcher that provides utilities called applets through a keyboard-oriented interface. Its menus support recursive fuzzy search, pattern filters, and prioritization of frequently used items. Users can navigate with arrow keys, activate primary actions with Enter, and open context menus with Tab; controls can be customized. Multi-select allows compatible actions to be applied to several items together. Applets include a dictionary, notes, file manager, internet search, calculator, translator, snippets, time tracker, and calendar. Users can adjust applet settings and themes, import or export settings, and manage official or third-party applets. LaunchMenu runs on macOS and Windows. The site identifies Windows as the primary development and test platform, while Mac testing has been less extensive. Linux support is planned and has not yet been worked on. Developers can build applets using TypeScript and React, compile them into LaunchMenu-ready packages, and upload completed applets to npm with the launchmenu-applet keyword. The listed free plan costs nothing.