MaxLauncher vs Pinpoint
MaxLauncher
maxlauncher.sourceforge.ioPinpoint
usepinpoint.comSide by side
| Figure | MaxLauncher | Pinpoint |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | Free |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| Plans published | 1 | 1 |
| Spec score · Start Menu Customization Software | 8.1 (#7) | 8.1 (#8) |
| License | The product page identifies the license as Microsoft Reciprocal License (MS-RL). | The repository identifies the project as GPL-3.0 licensed. |
| Other features | The maker lists drag and drop, international keyboard layouts, custom themes, multiple instances, multi-launch, read-only mode, and basic multi-monitor support. | The listed features include a calculator, dictionary, emoji search, notes, translator, weather forecast, and window switcher. |
| Purpose | MaxLauncher is a tabbed launcher designed to reduce the time needed to find and run programs. | Pinpoint is an open-source keystroke launcher for Windows. |
Plans
In their own words
MaxLauncher
MaxLauncher is a free, open-source tabbed launcher for Windows that opens programs, folders, or commands with two or three keystrokes. Each .mld data file can hold up to ten tabs, with 30 configurable buttons on each, for a maximum of 300 buttons. A favorites bar adds ten configurable buttons assigned to F1–F10. Separate XML-format text files can keep shortcut groups, such as work and home, apart. The launcher supports drag and drop, configurable activation hotkeys, custom themes, multi-launch, multiple instances, and basic multi-monitor use. Users can install it with an executable or choose a portable ZIP version, which the maker says can run from a USB stick or external hard drive. Portable settings can be made read-only to prevent changes to selected launcher data and cache files. The listed requirements are Windows Vista or newer, or Windows XP with Microsoft .NET 3.5 or higher; it runs on 32-bit and 64-bit versions. The downloads page lists version 1.31.0.0, dated October 29, 2021, as the latest release shown.
Pinpoint
Pinpoint is a free, open-source keystroke launcher for Windows. Its search features cover apps, bookmarks, and files through the Everything tool; it can also launch URLs and open a command line. The launcher indexes bookmarks in Brave, Chrome, and Firefox, and its Bangs feature uses DuckDuckGo operators to search directly on websites. Clipboard tools include a manager and uploader. Other utilities include a calculator, converters, dictionary, encoder and decoder, and password generator. Pinpoint also offers notes, shortcuts, text manipulation, emoji search, a window switcher, operating system and control panel tools, and process management. Its listed information and media features include finance equity look-ups, Hacker News, weather forecasts, translation, time zone conversion, and a Spotify controller. The controller can play, pause, skip, and search across Spotify sessions associated with the user's account on any device. Pinpoint can query ChatGPT from the desktop with an OpenAI API key. Download it from GitHub as a ZIP release or install it with Chocolatey; Alt+Space opens or closes its query box. Developers can create local plugins using the Pinpoint.Plugin NuGet package.