LaunchMenu vs Starling
LaunchMenu
launchmenu.github.ioStarling
starling.buildSide by side
| Figure | LaunchMenu | Starling |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | Free |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | Yes | — |
| Web | — | Yes |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | Yes |
| Linux | — | Yes |
| API | Yes | — |
| Plans published | 1 | 1 |
| Spec score · Start Menu Customization Software | 8.6 (#3) | 8.4 (#5) |
| Integrations | The developer page says completed applets can be uploaded to npm with the keyword launchmenu-applet to load into the applet ecosystem. | The Linux desktop launches applications installed on the machine; its App Store can install more applications. |
| License | The GitHub repository identifies the project as MIT licensed. | Starling says its software is open source under Apache 2.0 and invites people to read the code and build on it. |
| Linux support | Linux support is described as planned and not yet worked on. | The desktop is supported on Ubuntu 26.04 LTS (amd64), where it adds a session alongside the existing desktop. |
| Product | LaunchMenu is an open-source application that brings utilities called applets to users through a keyboard-centric interface. | Starling is a desktop environment with a 2D workspace and an optional 3D city workspace. |
| Security | The opened maker pages did not state security certifications, compliance standards, or security practices. | The Linux session runs unprivileged, with DRM master and input provided through logind via libseat. |
| Windows support | Windows is the primary development and testing platform and is described as having the lowest expected bug risk. | The Windows shell supports Windows 10 and 11 x64; the Linux desktop can also run through Ubuntu 26.04 on WSL2. |
Plans
In their own words
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.
Starling
Starling is a desktop environment with a 2D workspace and an optional 3D city workspace. Its Linux desktop combines a Wayland compositor, window manager, dock, spaces, and nine first-party apps in a session alongside the existing desktop. It runs native Wayland clients and X11 apps, can launch applications installed on the machine, and includes an App Store for installing more. The supported Linux package target is Ubuntu 26.04 LTS on amd64; the desktop can also run through Ubuntu 26.04 on WSL2. Starling’s Windows shell supports Windows 10 and 11 on x64, and its page says Store apps keep working. The shell, apps, build tools, documentation, and host code are open source under Apache 2.0, and the product is free. The Linux session runs without elevated privileges. Starling labels the desktop an early preview and says users should expect rough edges, missing pieces, and bugs. Its Windows preview installer installs per user without administrator privileges, but is unsigned and prompts SmartScreen on first run.