Raycast

Raycast is a keyboard-focused launcher that brings everyday utilities, extensions and AI tools into one interface. It suits people who want to launch commands and run workflows without switching between separate tools. Its breadth is a strength, but the free plan caps Clipboard History and Notes, and the higher AI tiers cost more.

Overview

Raycast combines app launching, file search and productivity tools in a single launcher. The free plan includes core features and thousands of extensions, making it a substantial starting point. Its limits—three months of Clipboard History and five Notes—matter to anyone who expects to keep a longer history or a larger collection of notes.

Key features

Launcher, tools and extensions

Keyboard access to file search, Calculator, Calendar, Window Management, Snippets, Quicklinks and Notes makes Raycast useful beyond opening apps. Workflow support and command launching give it room to handle repeated tasks, while cloud sync helps carry data between supported devices. The Store adds community-built extensions, with examples for Linear, Slack, Notion, Google Translate, Spotify, 1Password and Jira. That range is useful for users whose work spans several services; those who only want a basic launcher may not need the extra scope.

Developers can build integrations through Raycast’s extension API, and Teams can publish private extensions for their organization. Teams Free supports unlimited members, but shared tools are capped at five Commands, 30 Quicklinks and 30 Snippets. That is a practical way to try shared workflows, though teams with heavier collaboration needs will reach those ceilings.

AI and browser extension

Raycast AI includes AI Chat, Quick AI, Agents, AI Commands and AI Extensions, with models from multiple providers. A browser extension can summarize the active tab and answer questions about it, and supports Chromium-based browsers, Safari and Firefox. This adds value for people who want AI close to their launcher and browser; AI credits and model access vary by paid tier.

Raycast says prompts are not logged or retained, provider agreements prohibit training on user interactions, and AI inputs and outputs are encrypted in transit with TLS. Synced data is encrypted at rest with AES-256. Enterprise features include SOC 2 compliance, annual penetration testing, GDPR alignment and CCPA readiness. Eligible new accounts can start a seven-day Pro trial with Pro models, but advanced AI models are excluded.

Pricing

Raycast is freemium. Free costs nothing and includes core features and thousands of extensions, with three months of Clipboard History and five Notes. It is the sensible way to use the launcher without a subscription, provided those caps are enough.

Pro costs $10 a month, billed $10 / month. It adds 500 AI credits/month, AI, Cloud Sync, Dictation, Custom Themes and Translator, plus unlimited Clipboard History and Notes. It fits individuals who want the expanded toolkit and a moderate monthly AI allowance.

Pro+ costs $20 a month, billed $20 / month, and includes 3,000 AI credits/month and top-tier AI models, alongside unlimited Clipboard History and Notes. Max costs $50 a month, billed $50 / month, and raises that allowance to 7,500 AI credits/month while retaining top-tier models and unlimited history and notes. These tiers make sense when the higher credit allowance or model access justifies the extra monthly cost; users who do not need those AI features can stay on Free or Pro.

Teams Free costs nothing, billed $0 / user / month, and provides unlimited team members, a Private Store, and the shared-tool limits described above. Teams Pro costs $15 a month, billed $15 / user / month, with 500 AI credits/user/month, unlimited shared Commands, Quicklinks and Snippets, and a Private Store. It is the relevant upgrade for teams that outgrow Free’s collaboration caps, though its per-user price makes team size important.

Platforms

Raycast is available for macOS, Windows, iOS and iPadOS; it is not currently available on Android. The browser extension supports Chromium-based browsers, Safari and Firefox. Android users should look elsewhere for a launcher they can use on that platform.

Who it's for

Raycast is best suited to people who want keyboard-driven access to tools, files and workflows, especially those who value community extensions or need integrations with services such as Slack or Notion. It also suits teams that want shared commands and private extensions. It is less compelling for someone seeking only a lightweight launcher, an Android app, or unlimited history and notes without paying.

Pros and cons

• Pros: A broad set of built-in utilities, file search and workflow support in one keyboard-focused interface.
• Pros: Thousands of extensions and an API for custom integrations, with private extensions available to Teams.
• Pros: Free access includes core features, while paid plans remove the Clipboard History and Notes caps.
• Cons: Free limits Clipboard History to three months and Notes to five.
• Cons: Advanced AI models are excluded from the seven-day Pro trial, and the larger AI allowances require more expensive plans.
• Cons: There is no Android availability.

Alternatives

App Launcher Software is a useful place to compare more options. Choose Launchy if you want a free launcher available on Android, Linux, macOS and Windows. Alfred is a macOS option with a free core for app launching and file searching, plus a $34, paid once single license for one user on two of their Macs. Ueli is a free option for Linux, macOS and Windows with no paid plans or usage limits stated. Choose Keypirinha for a Windows-only freeware launcher without a nag screen, time limit or ads. Rofi is a free option for Linux and macOS. Walker is a free, GPL-3.0-licensed Linux desktop application. Dropzone is a macOS alternative centered on customizable app, folder and action grids and a Drop Bar file shelf. KISS Launcher is a free, GPL-published launcher for Android.

Verdict

Choose Raycast if you want a flexible keyboard-focused launcher that can grow into a set of productivity tools, integrations and team workflows. Its free tier is useful, but its history and notes caps make Pro the clearer fit for sustained personal use. Look elsewhere if Android support or a no-cost, uncapped basic launcher matters more than Raycast’s wider toolkit.