- Comparison of desktop application launchers
-
This is a comparison of application launcher software in desktop environments.
Contents
Windows
Creator Latest stable version Release date OS Free according to the FSF Software license Open source Plugin Support Appetizer Laurent Cozic 1.4 February 13, 2010 Microsoft Windows Yes GPL Yes Yes ASuite SalvadorSoftware 1.5.1.2 May 24, 2008 Microsoft Windows Yes GPL Yes No CAL Sentax Solutions 0.0.279 January 5, 2009 Microsoft Windows No Proprietary No No Launchy Josh Karlin 2.5.0 April 4, 2010 Microsoft Windows, Linux, Mac OS X Yes GPL Yes Yes LiberKey Essential SARL 5.5.0717 July 17, 2011 Microsoft Windows Yes[note 1] GPL Yes No PortableApps.com Platform Rare Ideas, LLC Next PR 3 August 8, 2011 Microsoft Windows Yes GPL Yes[note 2] No SliderDock Dimitri ROOZENDAAL R14 October 11, 2010 Microsoft Windows Yes Creative Commons No No SyMenu Gianluca Negrelli 1.13 September 28, 2011 Microsoft Windows No Proprietary No No - ^ See Authors website http://liberkey.com
- ^ PortableApps.com branding is trademarked
Linux
Creator Latest stable version OS Free according to the FSF Software license Open source Plugin Support Avant Window Navigator Neil J. Patel 0.4 Linux Yes GPL Yes Yes dmenu dmenu engineers 4.4.1 Linux Yes MIT License Yes No GNOME Do GNOME Do Developers 0.8.3.1 Linux Yes GPL Yes Yes Katapult Katapult Developers 0.3.2.1 Linux with KDE Yes GPL Yes Yes Kupfer Ulrik Sverdrup 206 Linux Yes GPL Yes Yes Launchy Josh Karlin 2.5.0 Microsoft Windows, Linux, Mac OS X Yes GPL Yes Yes Synapse[1][2] Michal Hruby 0.2.6 Linux Yes GPL v3 Yes Yes Mac OS X
Creator Latest stable version OS Free according to the FSF Software license Open source Plugin Support Alfred Running with Crayons 0.9 Mac OS X No Proprietary No No (in active development) Butler Peter Maurer 4.1.6 Mac OS X No Proprietary No Yes LaunchBar Objective Development 5.1.3 Mac OS X No Proprietary No ? Launchy Josh Karlin 2.5.0 Microsoft Windows, Linux, Mac OS X Yes GPL Yes ? Quicksilver Blacktree Software 1.0ß60 Mac OS X Yes Apache License Yes Yes Although arguable, some consider desktop search tools to be application launchers as well, given their ability to quickly find and launch indexed applications. Such desktop search tools able to launch applications as well include Spotlight or Google Desktop. For a broader list see Desktop Search tools.
See also
- List of dock applications
References
- ^ "Synapse Main Project Page". https://launchpad.net/synapse-project. Retrieved 2011-10-31.
- ^ "Synapse review at omgubuntu.co.uk". http://www.omgubuntu.co.uk/2010/11/synapse-gnome-do-launcher-app-review-ubuntu/. Retrieved 2011-10-31.
External links
- John Emmatty (November 2011) A Mouse Free Approach For Working With Your System.
- (German) Anke Anlauf (14 January 2010), Schmucke PC-Docks wie auf dem Mac (roundup of MS Windows launchers), Softonic OnSoftware
- Peter (October 15th, 2008) The State of Linux Docks, linuxhaxor.net
- jdeslip (June 25, 2009) The Best Docks on the Linux Coast, Berkeley Linux Users Group
Categories:- Software comparisons
- Application launchers
Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.