DocFetcher vs UltraSearch

DocFetcher is a free, open-source desktop application for searching the contents of files stored on a computer. It presents selected results with a text preview and highlighted matches, and search results can be narrowed by file size, type and location. Its query syntax supports AND, OR and NOT, wildcards, phrase and fuzzy searches, proximity search and boosting. Supported content includes Microsoft Office files, Outlook PST, OpenOffice, PDF, EPUB, HTML, plain text, RTF, media metadata, Visio and SVG. It can search ZIP, 7z, RAR and tar archives, including archives nested inside other archives. Users create indexes for folders; the application detects changes while running, and a background daemon records changes while it is closed for processing at the next launch. Portable editions keep indexes and settings in the application folder and can be moved between computers. The maker says the application collects no private data and indexes nothing by default. It runs on Windows, macOS and Linux. The project is legacy software: no new features are planned, though bug fixes and support continue.

UltraSearch is a Windows tool for searching file names and contents across local storage, company networks and SharePoint. Results appear as you type, and direct SharePoint searches do not require indexing. Queries can use text or phrases in file contents, wildcards, regular expressions and AND/OR terms. Search locations include local and network drives, external drives, USB sticks, SD cards and SharePoint. The Free edition costs nothing and is limited to private, non-commercial use; it includes 30 days of Professional features. Professional costs $30 a year, billed annually, and is available for Windows Desktop and Windows Server. It adds filters by file type, dates and size, searches inside ZIP files, and bulk actions to move, archive, delete or rename files from results. Professional also supports Google Drive searches and can connect to DataCentral, a central full-text and metadata index for multiple users. DataCentral runs on premises, keeps its index locally and integrates with NTFS permissions and Active Directory, according to the maker. Downloads do not require registration; an online manual and contact form are provided for support.