Mac utilities3 picks

The best Spotlight replacements for Mac

Raycast is the Spotlight replacement most Mac users should install, and its free plan already includes clipboard history and window snapping.

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

Our pickRaycast app iconRaycastPick it if you want 1 free search bar for apps, files, clipboard history and window snapping.Free to start
Also greatAlfred app iconAlfredPick this if you prefer a one-time price and want to plug in workflows built by other Alfred users.Free to startAlso greatrcmd app iconrcmdPick it if you only need to switch between the same few apps fast, not search for files or commands.Free to start

Raycast replaces Spotlight for free and folds clipboard history, snippets and window snapping into the same search bar. Alfred is the pick if you would rather pay once, with a £34 Powerpack and thousands of community workflows. rcmd is a different kind of tool, since it skips search entirely and jumps to apps with the Right Command key and a letter.

How we chose

  1. 1Speed from a single keyboard shortcut
  2. 2Clipboard history and snippets built in
  3. 3Pay once versus a subscription

Compare at a glance

Tap a name to jump to its write-up.

AppPriceHow you payMaciPhoneiPadApp StoreDeveloperRating
Raycast app iconRaycastFree to startFree, with paid upgradesToo few ratings
Alfred app iconAlfredFree to startFree, with paid upgradesToo few ratings
rcmd app iconrcmdFree to startFree, with paid upgradesToo few ratings

Swipe the table sideways to see more

The picks, in order

  1. 1Raycast app icon

    Raycast

    Free to startOur pick

    Pick it if you want 1 free search bar for apps, files, clipboard history and window snapping.

    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.

    Prices and full verdictDeveloper's site
  2. 2Alfred app icon

    Alfred

    Free to start

    Pick this if you prefer a one-time price and want to plug in workflows built by other Alfred users.

    Thousands of community-shared workflows plug into this Mac launcher once you buy the £34 Powerpack, which also adds clipboard history and text snippets and includes the free upgrade to Alfred 6. The free version already launches apps, finds files and runs web searches from 1 hotkey. Raycast covers similar ground for free with a newer look, but its extras sit behind a $10 monthly Pro plan, while Alfred's are a one-time purchase priced in pounds.

    Prices and full verdictDeveloper's site
  3. 3rcmd app icon

    rcmd

    Free to start

    Pick it if you only need to switch between the same few apps fast, not search for files or commands.

    Most Macs have a Right Command key that almost nobody presses, and rcmd turns it into an app switcher: hold it, press S, and Safari jumps to the front or launches. The free version also replaces Command-Tab and jumps to Spaces by number. Pro is €15 once for fuzzy search and Stages, which restores a saved set of windows, and AltTab is the better pick if you switch windows, not apps.

    Prices and full verdictDeveloper's site

Head to head

Stuck between 2 of these? Each comparison lines up price, devices and who should pick which.

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