LaunchMenu vs Seelen UI

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.

Seelen UI is a free customization layer for organizing windows and changing the Windows desktop interface. It is designed for Windows 10 and Windows 11 and does not modify system files or fully replace the desktop. Its automatic tiling manager offers BSPWM, Tall, Wide, and Grid layouts, plus float, stack, monocle, and per-app rules. The shell includes a dock, scriptable toolbar, start menu, custom Alt+Tab switcher, and window previews. Background options include MP4 and WebM video, interactive HTML/CSS/JS, music-synced visuals, and collections assigned to monitors or workspaces. Built-in widgets include media controls, clock and calendar, system monitoring, notifications, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth. The media module supports pausing, resuming, and skipping tracks with most music players. Documentation covers themes, widgets, plugins, and development; community support is directed through Discord, repositories, and other channels. Modified, debloated, or custom Windows installations are not recommended because removed components or disabled services may cause errors.