Comparison of desktop application launchers
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This is a comparison of application launcher software in desktop environments.
Contents |
[edit] 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 | No[note 1] | Proprietary | No | No |
| PortableApps.com Platform | Rare Ideas, LLC | Next PR 3 | August 8, 2011 | Microsoft Windows | Yes | GPL | Yes[note 2] | No |
| SliderDock | Dimitri ROOZENDAAL | 1.21 | October 11, 2010 | Microsoft Windows | Yes | Creative Commons | No | No |
| SyMenu | Gianluca Negrelli | 1.14 | December 1, 2011 | Microsoft Windows | No | Proprietary | No | No |
- ^ See Authors website http://liberkey.com
- ^ PortableApps.com branding is trademarked
[edit] 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 |
[edit] Mac OS X
| Creator | Latest stable version | OS | Free according to the FSF | Software license | Open source | Plugin Support | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alfred | Running with Crayons | 1.0 | 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.
[edit] See also
[edit] 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.
[edit] 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
