Rofi vs Ueli

Rofi is a free utility for Linux and macOS that combines window switching, application launching, SSH access, and menu workflows. It can move between open windows, start applications, or provide a dialog for connecting to a remote machine. Its modes include window, windowcd, run, drun, ssh, keys, script, and combi. Navigation supports keyboard and mouse input, filtering by typing, and tokenized search. A dedicated script mode can replace dmenu. Configuration can come from a system configuration file, a Rasi theme file, or command-line options. Rofi builds with X11 and Wayland backends when available, and either can be disabled. Installation guidance covers Debian or Ubuntu, Fedora, Arch Linux, Gentoo, openSUSE, and FreeBSD; macOS installation is through MacPorts. The downloads page lists release archives, with version 1.7.9 as its newest listed release. Development versions have no tarball release; the installation instructions explain how to obtain and compile one. Support links lead to GitHub issues and discussions.

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.