Alfred

Active

Country: United Kingdom (GB)
Founded: 2010
Developer: Running with Crayons Ltd
Pricing: Freemium
Open source: No
Platforms: macOS

Indexes

Automation Clipboard Managers Launcher/Spotlight Alternatives

Overview

Alfred is a productivity application for macOS that serves as a launcher and automation tool, replacing Spotlight with faster app launching, file search, and custom workflows. It includes free core features for searching and basic actions, with advanced capabilities unlocked via the Powerpack. Targeted at macOS users seeking keyboard-driven efficiency, it stands out through customizable workflows built without coding and a large community-shared workflow library.

Key Features

Default Results - Presents prioritized apps, files, and contacts based on usage patterns.
File Search - Quickly locates files using dedicated keywords for focused results.
Workflows - Creates custom automations linking hotkeys, keywords, and actions.
Clipboard History - Stores and searches copied items for quick retrieval.
Snippets - Expands abbreviations into full text snippets.
Web Search - Performs web searches with built-in or custom queries.
System Commands - Executes macOS system actions like ejecting drives or quitting apps.
iTunes Mini Player - Controls music playback and searches library.

Pricing

Plan	Price	Includes
Free	Free	Core features: app/file search, calculator, dictionary, contacts, basic web search.
Powerpack	$49 (one-time purchase)	Advanced features: workflows, clipboard history, snippets, file actions, iTunes control, custom searches.

Platforms & Requirements

Runs exclusively on macOS, compatible with macOS 10.14 Mojave and later. No support for other operating systems. Requires minimal resources but Powerpack workflows may increase CPU usage with complex automations.

Integrations & Ecosystem

Safari and Chrome bookmarks
1Password
iTunes/Apple Music
macOS Contacts
macOS Calculator and Dictionary
Terminal/shell commands
Alfred Remote (iOS app)
Community workflows

Alternatives

App	Difference
Raycast	Modern alternative with native extensions and AI features, free core with paid pro.
LaunchBar	Paid app with stronger scripting and indexing, less emphasis on no-code workflows.
Spotlight (built-in)	Free macOS default with basic search, lacks custom workflows and clipboard history.
Keyboard Maestro	Focuses on macro automation rather than launcher, no built-in search.

Reputation

Alfred is widely regarded as a top Spotlight replacement among macOS power users for its speed and extensibility via workflows. Strengths include a vast community library and one-time Powerpack purchase. Criticisms focus on the upfront cost and macOS exclusivity, with some users preferring Raycast's free model and frequent updates.

Sources (8)