Raycast app icon

Raycast

A keyboard launcher that replaces Spotlight and more

MaciPhoneiPadFree to start

The verdict

The free plan of Raycast already covers a launcher, 3 months of clipboard history, snippets, window snapping and thousands of extensions, while Alfred keeps clipboard history and snippets in its paid Powerpack. You press 1 shortcut and type to open apps, find files or run commands for web services you use. Pro at $10 a month adds Raycast AI and sync, and none of it helps until calling it up becomes a habit.

The Useful TechResearched and written with AI under our rulesUpdated 14 Oct 2026

Get it if

You keep your hands on the keyboard and want 1 shortcut for apps, files, clipboard and windows.

Skip it if

You launch apps from the Dock and rarely press Command-Space, so Spotlight already covers you.

Screenshots 2

What it helps you do

  • Open any app or file from the keyboard
  • Find something you copied last week
  • Snap windows into place without the mouse
  • Type long replies from short keywords

What it really costs

Pay once or subscribe? Drag to see the total after each year.

  • Yearly plan
  • Monthly plan

Pay-once totals leave out paid upgrades to future major versions.

Plans and prices

  • Free

    Launcher, clipboard history (3 months), snippets, quicklinks, calculator, window management and thousands of extensions

  • Pro

    $10

    $10 a month or $96 a year, adds Raycast AI with 500 credits a month, cloud sync, unlimited clipboard history and notes, and custom themes; students get 50% off

  • Plus

    $20

    $20 a month or $192 a year, 3,000 AI credits a month and advanced AI models

  • Max

    $50

    $50 a month or $480 a year, 7,500 AI credits a month and advanced AI models

  • Teams

    Free

    Free for small teams, or from $15 per user a month ($144 a year) for Teams Pro

What changed

  1. Version 2.10.1.0

  2. Added to The Useful Apps

Written up in The Useful Tech

Pick something else if

All 4 Raycast alternatives

Raycast head to head

The details

Runs on
Mac, iPhone, iPad
Version
2.10.1.0
Free trial
Try the paid version first

Developer's websiteSpot a wrong price or fact?