Kupfer vs Launchy
Kupfer
kupferlauncher.github.ioLaunchy
launchy.netSide by side
| Figure | Kupfer | Launchy |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | — | Free |
| Free plan | — | Yes |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | — | Yes |
| Windows | — | Yes |
| macOS | — | Yes |
| Linux | Yes | Yes |
| Android | — | Yes |
| API | — | Yes |
| Plans published | 0 | 2 |
| Spec score · App Launcher Software | 7.1 (#33) | 8.6 (#6) |
| Spec score · App Launchers | 6.7 (#38) | 9.1 (#3) |
| Spec score · App launchers | 6.7 (#38) | 9.0 (#3) |
| License | The project is licensed under GNU General Public License v3 or any later version. | SourceForge identifies the project as GNU General Public License version 2.0. |
| Plugin development | Kupfer loads Python extension modules at runtime, with plugins implemented as Python files or packages. | Developing binary-compatible plugins currently requires Visual Studio 2005. |
| Plugins | Plugins extend Kupfer’s quick access to objects beyond applications. | Launchy has a plugin architecture with plugins for web searches, Firefox bookmarks, calculations, custom commands and more. |
| Purpose | Kupfer is an interface for quick access to applications and their documents. | Launchy is a free cross-platform utility for replacing the start menu, desktop icons and file manager. |
Plans
In their own words
Kupfer
Kupfer has no write-up on Specifiction yet; its figures are above.
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.