Appetizer

Windows · Self-hosted · API

Freedom report

Two barsScore 5.3

Free tierA free tier is on its own pricing page
Runs widely1 of 6 device platforms
DocumentedPlans, terms and facts published

Appetizer is ranked #33 of 40 in app launcher software on Freedom251. It runs on API, Self-hosted, Windows. There is a free plan.

Appetizer plans and pricing

All plans

Appetizer Free Free open-source application launcher for Windows appetizer.cozic.net · 11 Oct 2026

Compared on app launcher software

Free plan: Yes
Supported platforms: windows
Workflow support: Yes
Plugin support: Yes

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The record

Purpose: Appetizer is a free, open-source application launcher or dock for Windows that organizes shortcuts and folders.
Customization: The dock is customizable and supports multiple languages.
PortableApps detection: With the standard PortableApps.com folder structure, Appetizer should detect apps in “PortableApps” and documents in “Documents” automatically.
Dock layout: The dock can be resized and display icons horizontally or vertically.
Icons and skins: It supports small, large, and extra-large icons, custom icons, and multiple skins, with two included.
Shortcut organization: A wizard imports shortcuts from various locations, and icons can be organized by drag and drop or regrouped in a menu.
Launch features: Appetizer supports multi-launch and a hotkey to hide or show the dock.
Special items: Special items include controls such as showing or hiding the desktop, Recycle Bin, and Control Panel.
Plugins: Available plugins include document encryption and decryption for a USB key, adding icons to groups, closing the dock after launching an app, revealing a shortcut target, and hiding the dock on startup.
Portable package: The ZIP package can be unzipped to a hard drive or USB stick, and settings are saved in the application directory.
Supported Windows versions: The download page says the latest version works on Windows 2000, XP, and Vista.
Help and API: Help files are bundled with the executable and offered in several languages, and the site links to plugin creation guidance and an API reference.
Support: Forum registration is closed because of spam, and the site says users may contact the maker if needed.
Maker: The site copyright identifies Laurent Cozic.
Price from: Free

Where it ranks on Freedom251

Best App Launcher Software in 2026#33 of 40

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Sources

appetizer.cozic.net· checked 11 Oct 2026
appetizer.cozic.net/plugins.html· checked 11 Oct 2026
appetizer.cozic.net/download.html· checked 11 Oct 2026
appetizer.cozic.net/wiki.html· checked 11 Oct 2026
appetizer.cozic.net/forum/1.html· checked 11 Oct 2026
appetizer.cozic.net/index.html· checked 11 Oct 2026