If you spend your day jumping between apps, files, and snippets of text, a keyboard launcher can save you dozens of clicks an hour. Three names dominate the conversation in 2026: Raycast and Alfred on the Mac, and Microsoft’s free PowerToys Run on Windows. They solve the same basic problem — get to anything without touching the mouse — but they take very different approaches to pricing, extensibility, and platform support. Here’s how they actually compare, based on what each vendor states on its own site as of November 2026.
At a Glance
| App | Starting Price | Free Plan? | Platform | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Raycast | Free; Pro from $10/mo ($96/yr) | Yes | macOS (native); Windows app also available | Mac users who want an extensible launcher with optional AI features |
| Alfred | Free; Powerpack one-time upgrade from £34 | Yes (core app) | macOS only | Mac users who prefer a one-time purchase over a subscription |
| PowerToys Run | Free | Yes (fully free and open source) | Windows only | Windows users who want a free, no-subscription launcher |
Short Verdict
These three aren’t really head-to-head rivals in the way the headline suggests — they’re the default launcher pick for whichever operating system you’re on. On the Mac, Raycast is the more modern, AI-leaning option with a free tier generous enough for most people and a Pro subscription for power users; Alfred is the veteran, with a free core app and a one-time Powerpack purchase for its famous Workflows automation system. On Windows, PowerToys Run is the obvious choice simply because it’s the only one of the three available there — and it costs nothing, since it’s an open-source module of Microsoft’s PowerToys utility suite.
What Each App Is
Raycast
Raycast started as a Mac-only “Spotlight replacement” built around a Store of community and first-party extensions, and it has grown into a broader productivity hub. According to raycast.com, the free plan includes the core launcher, Quicklinks, a calculator, Snippets, basic Window Management, and access to thousands of extensions with developer tooling to build your own. Clipboard History on the free plan is capped at three months of history; Raycast Pro removes that cap, adds Raycast AI (with a monthly AI-credit allowance and the ability to bring your own API key), custom Window Management commands, Cloud Sync, Dictation, custom themes, and a translator. Higher Pro-tier plans (Plus and Max) add access to top-tier AI models. Notably, Raycast has also shipped a public Windows app — distributed via the Microsoft Store and WinGet — that covers the launcher, file search, clipboard history, snippets, Quicklinks, a calculator/emoji picker, hotkeys, Quick AI/AI Chat, and even a game launcher for Steam, Epic, Battle.net, and GeForce Now. Raycast’s own site describes Cloud Sync as still “upcoming” on Windows, so the Windows build is newer and not yet at full feature parity with the Mac version.
Alfred
Alfred is the longest-running of the three and remains macOS-only, supporting macOS 10.14 and later on both Intel and Apple Silicon. Per alfredapp.com, the core app — app launching, file search, web search, and basic Snippets — is “free for you to download and use forever, with no strings attached.” The paid Powerpack upgrade is what long-time Mac users actually associate with Alfred: it unlocks Workflows (chains of hotkeys, keywords, and actions, including workflows shared by the community), custom themes, and other extras. Alfred’s free tier also includes a searchable Clipboard History covering text, images, file paths, and hex color codes. At the time of writing, Alfred 6 is in preview with no firm release date beyond “this autumn,” and the current stable release is Alfred 5.
PowerToys Run
PowerToys Run is a module inside Microsoft’s free, open-source PowerToys utility collection for Windows, documented at learn.microsoft.com. It’s a quick launcher (default hotkey Alt+Space) for apps, files, running processes, calculator and unit-conversion queries, system commands (shutdown, lock, empty recycle bin, and more), hash/GUID generation, and web searches — all through a modular plugin system where each plugin has its own activation prefix (for example, = for the calculator or ? for Windows Search). Microsoft’s documentation also flags that PowerToys Run is “getting a v2 upgrade,” pointing to a newer, related tool called Command Palette as its evolution. As of this writing, Microsoft Learn’s Command Palette page doesn’t explicitly state that it replaces or retires PowerToys Run, and PowerToys Run itself remains available and documented — so treat “Command Palette is the successor” as a direction Microsoft is heading in, not a completed migration.
Pricing Breakdown
| Plan | Raycast | Alfred | PowerToys Run |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free tier | Core launcher, extensions, Snippets, basic Window Management, 3-month Clipboard History | Core app, Snippets, Clipboard History, app/file/web search | Everything — the entire app is free |
| Paid tier | Pro: $10/mo or $96/yr — unlimited Clipboard History, Raycast AI (500 credits/mo), custom Window Management, Cloud Sync, Dictation, custom themes, translator | Powerpack: one-time from £34 (Single License) or £59 (Mega Supporter, includes free lifetime upgrades) — unlocks Workflows and themes | None — no paid tier exists |
| Higher tiers | Plus ($20/mo, $192/yr) and Max ($50/mo, $480/yr) add top-tier AI models; Teams plans also available | Alfred Remote (iOS companion) sold separately; no published family-pack price | N/A |
Pros
- Raycast: Generous free tier; large extension store; built-in AI features for Pro subscribers; now available on Windows too, so teams with mixed OS setups can use one tool.
- Alfred: One-time Powerpack purchase instead of a subscription; mature Workflows ecosystem with a large community library; lightweight and fast on older Macs.
- PowerToys Run: Completely free and open source; no account or sign-in required; actively maintained by Microsoft as part of PowerToys; modular plugins keep searches fast and specific.
Cons
- Raycast: AI features and unlimited clipboard history require a subscription; the Windows build is newer and still missing some Mac features like Cloud Sync.
- Alfred: No official Windows version; Powerpack is a separate purchase on top of the free app, and its price isn’t shown in US dollars on the main site (it’s listed in GBP); window-management features are not a headline capability the way they are for Raycast.
- PowerToys Run: Windows-only, so it’s no help on a Mac; Microsoft’s own documentation signals it may eventually be superseded by Command Palette, which could mean slower future development for Run itself.
Who It’s a Good Fit For
- Raycast fits Mac users who want extensions, AI-assisted actions, and don’t mind paying a monthly fee once they outgrow the free tier — and, increasingly, mixed Mac/Windows teams that want one launcher across both.
- Alfred fits Mac users who’d rather pay once than subscribe, and who want deep, scriptable Workflows without recurring costs.
- PowerToys Run fits any Windows user, full stop — there’s no cost barrier, and it’s the closest Windows equivalent to what Spotlight, Raycast, or Alfred do on a Mac.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
- If you’re on Windows and want deep AI-chat integration baked into your launcher today, Raycast’s Windows build is catching up but isn’t yet at full Mac parity — check its changelog before assuming a Mac-only feature exists there.
- If you want window-snapping and tiling as a primary feature rather than a search tool, none of these three markets that as its core focus; Raycast offers basic and Pro-tier custom Window Management commands, but dedicated window managers may serve you better.
- If a one-time cost matters more than a subscription and you’re not on a Mac, PowerToys Run is already free — there’s no Alfred-style purchase decision to make on Windows.
Bottom Line
Your operating system decides most of this comparison for you. On Windows, PowerToys Run is a safe, zero-cost default, with Microsoft signaling that Command Palette is where future launcher development is headed. On the Mac, the choice is really about business model and ecosystem: Alfred rewards you once and lets you own the automation layer outright, while Raycast’s subscription buys you a faster-moving product with AI built in and, as of 2026, a genuine (if still-maturing) presence on Windows as well.
FAQ
Is PowerToys Run really free, with no paid upgrade?
Yes. Microsoft’s own documentation describes it as a free, open-source utility distributed as part of the PowerToys suite, with no premium tier.
Can I use Alfred or Raycast on Windows?
Alfred is macOS-only with no Windows version. Raycast, however, now ships a public Windows app (via the Microsoft Store or WinGet) alongside its original Mac app, though some features such as Cloud Sync are still listed as upcoming on Windows.
Do I need the paid tier to get extensions or workflows?
No. Raycast’s free plan includes access to its extension store, and Alfred’s free app includes basic Snippets; Alfred’s advanced Workflows automation specifically requires the paid Powerpack upgrade, while Raycast’s AI features and unlimited clipboard history specifically require a Pro subscription.
Is PowerToys Run being replaced by Command Palette?
Microsoft’s documentation describes Command Palette as PowerToys Run’s “v2” evolution, but as of this writing PowerToys Run is still documented and available. Treat Command Palette as the direction Microsoft is heading, not a confirmed retirement date for Run.
Which one has AI features built in?
Only Raycast, among these three, advertises built-in AI: Raycast AI and AI Chat are available on paid Pro plans (and above) on both Mac and Windows. Alfred and PowerToys Run, per their own sites, don’t list AI chat or generation features.