No. 20 of 59 ·Desktop Search Software

ProtonSearch

Windows

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Freedom report

One barScore 5.4

Free tierNo free tier on record
Open codeNo open-source code on record
Runs widely1 of 6 device platforms
DocumentedPlans, terms and facts published

ProtonSearch is ranked #20 of 59 in desktop search software on Freedom251. It runs on Windows.

Compared on desktop search software

Free plan: Yes
Supported platforms: Windows
Index locations: local files and folders
Content search: Yes
OCR search: Yes

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The record

What it does: ProtonSearch is a local-first Windows launcher for finding and opening items on a PC from one keyboard shortcut.
Search sources: It can search apps, files, browser history, clipboard, OCR text, Git activity, notes, settings, commands, and AI chats.
Keyboard shortcut: The launcher opens with Alt + Space.
File content search: It searches text inside supported documents, PDFs, Markdown, text files, and source files.
OCR: It can find image and screenshot text using OCR, including text in copied clipboard images.
Clipboard tools: Clipboard features include searchable history, pinned clips, multiselect, image copying, and editable text clips.
Integrations: Circle to Search sends a selected screen region to Google Lens, and the app supports Hermes agents.
Agent approvals: Commands that need approval show an inline prompt before they run.
Privacy: The maker describes ProtonSearch as local-first and says runtime data and its local database are stored on the user's PC.
Implementation: The app is built with Rust and Win32 and uses SQLite FTS5 for full-text search.
Installation: The maker provides a Windows PowerShell installer and a manual installer download through GitHub Releases.
Migration: The maker says existing OmniSearch installs carry their data over automatically when upgraded to ProtonSearch.
Intended users: The maker describes ProtonSearch as made for Windows power users.
Product: ProtonSearch is a local-first Windows launcher for finding and opening items on a PC from one keyboard shortcut.

Where it ranks on Freedom251

Best Desktop Search Software in 2026#20 of 59

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Sources

github.com/PranshulSoni/protonsearch· checked 7 Oct 2026
protonsearch-windows.vercel.app· checked 7 Oct 2026
github.com/PranshulSoni/protonsearch/blob/main/LIC· checked 8 Oct 2026