Overview

Launchy is a keyboard-driven launcher for people who want to open programs and find files by searching instead of navigating menus. It is best suited to users comfortable with a keyboard-first workflow who want a free utility they can tailor with indexing choices, skins, and plugins.

Its broad reach across programs, files, folders, websites, and bookmarks makes it a flexible front door to indexed content. Its limits matter too: the bundled calculator handles only basic arithmetic, and add-ons from other developers are not guaranteed to work.

Key features

Search and launch: Launchy indexes start-menu programs and can open documents, project files, folders, bookmarks, websites, and programs through smart search. That can reduce the steps involved in finding frequently used items, but it depends on what has been indexed.
Background hotkey: Launchy stays hidden until summoned. Alt+Space is the default hotkey, with Control+Space used on Linux. This is a good fit for people who prefer direct keyboard access; users who favor browsing visible menus may not gain as much.
Configurable catalog: Add directories and choose file types to index, such as MP3 or JPG, or choose all files. This lets users shape search coverage around their own folders, while requiring them to decide what Launchy should search.
Skins and plugins: A skin gallery offers appearance choices, while plugins can add web searches, Firefox bookmarks, calculations, custom commands, and other integrations. The official plugin list includes examples such as PuTTY sessions, Todoist, power controls, and task switching. These extensions are made by other developers, are only a sample, and carry no guarantee of functionality or behavior. Building binary-compatible plugins also requires Visual Studio 2005; the plugin API uses Win32 DLLs written in C++ with Unicode support and statically linked necessary libraries.
Portable mode: Configuration files can be kept in Launchy's own directory, so it can be carried on a USB stick. This is useful for users who want their settings to travel with the utility.
Calculator: The bundled Calcy plugin supports addition, division, subtraction, multiplication, and parentheses. It covers basic arithmetic, not broader calculator needs.

Pricing

Launchy is free to download, with a pay-what-you-want option: 0.00 USD per free, no fixed price, a recommended value of $10 USD, and a suggestion to consider paying $3. There is no paid tier to unlock a different feature set in the listed plan, so it suits users who want a no-cost launcher and those willing to contribute voluntarily.

Platforms

Launchy supports Android, Linux, macOS, and Windows. Its cross-platform reach is useful for people using more than one of these systems, though the supplied hotkey behavior differs on Linux.

Who it's for

Launchy is a strong fit for keyboard-focused users who want to search indexed programs and files, adjust catalog scope, and optionally add community plugins without a fixed price. Portable mode also suits people who want configuration stored alongside the utility on a USB stick. It is a weaker choice for users who need a dependable third-party extension ecosystem, a richer calculator, or a workflow centered on visual browsing rather than hotkey-driven search. Support is directed to the distributed Readme.pdf and Launchy forums.

Pros and cons

Pro: Searches across programs and several kinds of content, including files, folders, websites, and bookmarks, from a single hotkey-driven interface.
Pro: Directory and file-type controls let users choose what enters the search catalog.
Pro: Skins, plugins, and portable mode provide customization without a fixed price.
Con: Third-party plugins are not guaranteed, so integrations may be less dependable than core launching.
Con: Calcy is limited to four basic arithmetic operations and parentheses.
Con: Plugin development has a dated toolchain requirement: Visual Studio 2005 is required for binary compatibility.

Alternatives

For a broader set of choices, browse Start Menu Customization Software or App Launcher Software.

IObit Uninstaller is a Windows freemium option whose free version focuses on batch uninstall, Windows app removal, drag-and-drop uninstall, and automatic leftover cleanup; choose it for uninstall tasks rather than Launchy's search-and-launch workflow.
Parkdale is a free option for Android, macOS, and Windows, described as free to download and use.
Listary is a Windows freemium choice with free personal use, basic file search and app launch, filters, commands, and a basic UI theme; consider it if those stated basics match your needs.
Seelen UI is a free Windows desktop customization suite; choose it if broad desktop customization is the priority.
Start Menu Reviver is a free Windows option with stated support for Windows 7, 8, and 10 and modest hardware requirements.
Start Menu X offers a free Windows version with virtual groups limited to five; its one-time Start Menu X PRO plan adds single-click launch, menu structure, and tabs.
Fluent Search is a free Windows option for Windows 10 or 11, with x64 and ARM64 builds.
Keypirinha is free Windows freeware with no nag screen, time limit, or ads.

Verdict

Choose Launchy if you want a free, cross-platform keyboard launcher with configurable indexing and the option to customize it through skins and plugins. Its main advantage is bringing many indexed targets into a hotkey search; look elsewhere if plugin reliability or more capable built-in calculation is essential.

	Launchy	PStart
Free plan	Yes	No
Free trial	No	No
Paid from	Free	—
Open source	No	No
Platforms	Android, Linux, macOS, Windows	Windows
Free plan	Yes	Yes
Supported platforms	cross-platform	windows
File search	Yes	Yes
Command launching	Yes	Yes
Workflow support	Yes	Yes
Plugin support	Yes	—

Launchy vs PStart

Launchy

PStart