Private and open-source alternatives to Spotlight
8 app launchers rated against the same public privacy criteria as Spotlight (macOS Spotlight), with our picks first.
Why look for an alternative?
- Open source: no. Closed source.
- No trackers or telemetry: partial. No third-party trackers. Spotlight sends queries, location and related data to Apple for suggestions by default, linked to a rotating identifier, and this can be turned off.
- Independent audit: no. No independent audit is published.
See the full Spotlight rating.
The alternatives
Albert Grade B
A plugin-based keyboard launcher for Linux and macOS, written in C++ and Qt, with plugins for apps, files, calculations, web searches and Python extensions.
Albert scores 80 out of 100 (grade B) on the app launchers criteria. It meets 3 of 4 criteria: open source, no trackers or telemetry and no ads or data sales.
Flow Launcher Grade B
An open source keyboard launcher for Windows that searches apps, files and bookmarks and supports plugins, themes and web searches.
Flow Launcher scores 80 out of 100 (grade B) on the app launchers criteria. It meets 3 of 4 criteria: open source, no trackers or telemetry and no ads or data sales.
KRunner Grade B
KDE Plasma's search and launcher for starting apps, finding files and running commands, calculations and conversions through plugins called runners.
Based in Germany (Fourteen Eyes). KRunner scores 80 out of 100 (grade B) on the app launchers criteria. It meets 3 of 4 criteria: open source, no trackers or telemetry and no ads or data sales.
rofi Grade B
A window switcher, application launcher and dmenu replacement for X11 and Wayland that can be scripted to build custom menus.
rofi scores 80 out of 100 (grade B) on the app launchers criteria. It meets 3 of 4 criteria: open source, no trackers or telemetry and no ads or data sales.
Ulauncher Grade B
An open source application launcher for Linux with fuzzy search, shortcuts, themes and Python extensions.
Ulauncher scores 80 out of 100 (grade B) on the app launchers criteria. It meets 3 of 4 criteria: open source, no trackers or telemetry and no ads or data sales.
PowerToys Command Palette Grade C
A keyboard launcher in Microsoft PowerToys for Windows that searches apps, files and settings and runs commands and extensions. It replaces PowerToys Run.
Based in the United States (Five Eyes). PowerToys Command Palette scores 65 out of 100 (grade C) on the app launchers criteria. It meets 2 of 4 criteria: open source and no ads or data sales.
Sol Grade D
An open source launcher for macOS with app search, custom shortcuts, calendar, clipboard history, window management and scripted commands.
Sol scores 50 out of 100 (grade D) on the app launchers criteria. It meets 2 of 4 criteria: open source and no ads or data sales.
Alfred Grade F
A macOS launcher for searching apps, files and the web, with a paid Powerpack that adds workflows, clipboard history, snippets and other features.
Based in the United Kingdom (Five Eyes). Alfred scores 20 out of 100 (grade F) on the app launchers criteria. It meets 1 of 4 criteria: no ads or data sales.