Launchy vs Ueli

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.

Ueli is a cross-platform keystroke launcher for Linux, macOS, and Windows. Press Alt+Space to show or hide it, type to search, and press Enter to open a result. For more options on a selected result, use Cmd+K on macOS or Ctrl+K on Windows and Linux. Frequently used items can be added to Favorites so they appear first in search results. Extensions include application and file search, browser bookmarks, a calculator, currency conversion, DeepL Translator, terminal launching, Visual Studio Code, and web search. Users can enable or disable extensions and configure enabled ones in their own settings sections. Ueli is free, with no paid plans or usage limits stated. Windows users can install it from the Microsoft Store or through winget using that store source; Linux and macOS downloads are also available. The maker says Ueli does not collect, store, or share personal, usage, device, or location data, and does not share information with third-party services. Installation and hotkey caveats vary by platform: downloads may be blocked on Windows or macOS, and global hotkeys may fail in Wayland sessions.