Launchy

7.2easy start · #3 of 40
in App Launcher Software

Free to practise onyes
Free trialnot on record
Well documentedyes
Runs where you workyes

Runs on Android, Linux, Mac, Windows.

Launchy is ranked #3 of 40 in app launcher software on The Geeks Club. It runs on Android, Linux, macOS, Windows. There is a free plan.

Launchy plans and pricing

All plans

Pay what you want Free No fixed price · recommended value $10 USD · download free · consider paying $3 launchy.net · 30 Sept 2026

Compared on app launcher software

Free plan: Yes
Supported platforms: cross-platform
File search: Yes
Command launching: Yes
Workflow support: Yes
Plugin support: Yes

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The record

Purpose: Launchy is a free cross-platform utility for replacing the start menu, desktop icons and file manager.
Search and launch: It indexes start-menu programs and launches documents, project files, folders and bookmarks with a few keystrokes.
Supported targets: Launchy can open files, folders, websites and programs using smart search.
Background mode: Launchy stays hidden in the background until its hotkey is pressed.
Hotkeys: The default hotkey is Alt+Space, with Control+Space used in Linux.
Catalog: Users can add directories and specify file types such as MP3, JPG or all files for indexing.
Skins: Launchy supports customizable skins and provides a gallery for additional skins.
Plugins: Launchy has a plugin architecture with plugins for web searches, Firefox bookmarks, calculations, custom commands and more.
Integrations: The official plugin list includes PuTTY sessions, Todoist, Windows Live Messenger, system power controls and task switching.
Plugin limitation: The listed plugins are a non-exhaustive sample made by other developers, and Launchy provides no guarantee about their functionality or behavior.
Plugin development: Developing binary-compatible plugins currently requires Visual Studio 2005.
Plugin API: Launchy plugins are Win32 DLLs written in C++ with Unicode support and static linking of necessary libraries.
Portable mode: Portable mode stores configuration files in the directory Launchy runs from, allowing use from a USB stick.
Calculator limit: The bundled Calcy calculator supports only addition, division, subtraction, multiplication and parentheses.
Price from: Free

Where it ranks on The Geeks Club

Best App Launcher Software in 2026#3 of 40
Best Start Menu Customization Software in 2026#2 of 39

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Sources

launchy.net· checked 30 Sept 2026
launchy.net/Readme.pdf· checked 30 Sept 2026
launchy.net/help.php· checked 30 Sept 2026
launchy.net/skins.php· checked 30 Sept 2026
launchy.net/plugins.php· checked 30 Sept 2026
launchy.net/api/· checked 30 Sept 2026
launchy.net/help.php· checked 30 Sept 2026
launchy.net/download.php· checked 30 Sept 2026