Spotlight is described as 'The system-wide desktop search feature built into Apple's OS X operating system since version 10.4 (Tiger). Backed by an index of all items and files on the system, it's designed to allow the user to quickly locate a wide variety of items on the computer' and is a application launcher in the file management category. There are more than 50 alternatives to Spotlight for a variety of platforms, including Mac, Windows, Linux, iPhone and iPad apps. The best Spotlight alternative is Everything, which is free. Other great apps like Spotlight are Flow Launcher, Vicinae, Alfred and Raycast.
Albert is a C++/Qt based desktop agnostic keyboard launcher that helps you to accomplish your workflows in a breeze. Its goals are usability and beauty, performance and extensibility.
QuickFind is a unified search tool providing instant access to files, apps, and web pages. It supports major search engines such as Google and Bing. Seamlessly switch between local and online content, and categorize searches into files, photos, music, and videos.
EverythingToolbar is integration for the Windows taskbar to use "Everything" which is an administrative tool that locates files and folders by filename instantly for Windows.
It's Lightweight & Simple
Ever had a folder full of PDF files, where you knew, somewhere in there, is what you're looking for. But you did not know in which file. So you had to search each of them at a time…
Open-source launcher offering blazing speed, customisable interface, app launching, web search, built-in calculator, clipboard history, no native AI, and native macOS support, with Linux and Windows compatibility planned for future releases.
Quicksilver is a fast and free macOS productivity application that gives you the power to control your Mac quickly and elegantly.
AnyTXT Searcher is a powerful local data full-text search engine, just like a local disk Google search engine. It is your ideal desktop search tool.
Filezo (Formerly known as RecentX) is an innovative launcher that gives you instant access to your files, folders & programs. It automatically remembers your favorite & recent items so that you can launch them even faster.
Filezo is the most popular commercial alternative to Spotlight.
Seek, peek, and preview to find your work instantly — even if it's buried in folders, or you've lost track of it over the months.
Quite comfortable to use if you install KDE's Plasma.
Rofi started as clone of simpleswitcher, written by Sean Pringle a popup window switcher roughly based on superswitcher. Simpleswitcher laid the foundations and therefor Sean Pringle deserves most of the credit for this tool.
This macOS tool leverages fighting game style key combinations to expedite app launches, execute commands, or even activate fun features like confetti, providing a faster alternative to launchers like Spotlight, Alfred, and Raycast. It supports customization and seamless integration with existing tools.
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saves your recent/commonly used apps for quicker searches