Executor vs Launchy
Executor
executor.dkLaunchy
launchy.netSide by side
| Figure | Executor | Launchy |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | Free |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | Yes | Yes |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | — | Yes |
| Linux | — | Yes |
| Android | — | Yes |
| API | — | Yes |
| Self-hosted | Yes | — |
| Plans published | 2 | 2 |
| Spec score · Start Menu Customization Software | 8.7 (#2) | 8.8 (#1) |
| Spec score · App Launcher Software | 8.5 (#7) | 8.6 (#6) |
| Spec score · App Launchers | 8.4 (#8) | 9.1 (#3) |
| Spec score · App launchers | 8.5 (#9) | 9.0 (#3) |
| Calculator | Typing a number-sign-prefixed expression invokes the integrated calculator. | Calcy performs arithmetic using only addition, subtraction, multiplication, division and parentheses. |
| Documentation depth | The official documentation covers installation, basic use, keyword syntax, special commands, indexing, settings, integrations, troubleshooting and FAQs. | Help consists of a bundled Readme PDF, API pages with event documentation and SourceForge forums and trackers. |
| Integrations | Documented integration routes include command-line triggering, global key simulation and Stream Deck activation. | The official plugin list includes PuTTY sessions, Todoist, Windows Live Messenger, system power controls and task switching. |
| Rating on Softpedia | 4.5 out of 5 from 39 votes. | 2 out of 5 from 1 review |
| Support | Bug reports are directed to the Executor Community GitHub issues, with a report command for diagnostic output. | The help page directs users to the distributed Readme.pdf and Launchy forums for support. |
| What it does | Executor is a native Windows desktop workflow launcher for opening applications, files, folders, websites and commands. | Launchy is a free cross-platform utility that indexes programs and opens documents, project files, folders and bookmarks from keystrokes. |
Plans
In their own words
Launchy
Launchy is a free utility for opening programs, files, folders, and websites with a few keystrokes. It indexes start-menu programs and can search directories and file types that users add. It stays in the background until the hotkey is pressed: Alt+Space by default, or Control+Space on Linux. Users can customize its appearance with skins and extend it through plugins for web searches, calculations, custom commands, and bookmark access. Other listed plugin examples include PuTTY sessions, task switching, and system power controls; these are made by other developers, and Launchy does not guarantee their functionality or behavior. Portable mode stores configuration files in the directory where Launchy runs, so it can be used from a USB stick. The bundled Calcy calculator supports addition, division, subtraction, multiplication, and parentheses. The listed platforms are Android, Linux, macOS, and Windows. Launchy is free to download with no fixed price; the listed recommended value is $10 USD, and the plan notes suggest considering a $3 contribution.