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Starling alternatives

Starling offers more than an app launcher: its desktop combines a 2D workspace with an optional 3D city, a Wayland compositor, window manager, dock, spaces, and nine first-party apps. It can launch installed applications and add more through its App Store, while running native Wayland clients and X11 apps. The project is free and open source under Apache 2.0, and its product family also includes a terminal, browser-based office suite, and shared Swift SDK.

  1. 1

    Launchy

    Free plan Open source AndroidAPILinux+2

    Cross-platform keyboard-driven app and file launching — Launchy focuses on hotkey search for programs, files, folders, websites, and bookmarks rather than replacing Starling's desktop environment.

    9.1 Free plan Visit site
  2. 2

    IObit Uninstaller

    Free plan Windows

    Windows app removal and leftover cleanup — IObit Uninstaller handles batch app removal and leftover cleanup on Windows, rather than providing Starling's desktop shell and workspaces.

    Free plan Visit site
  3. 3

    LaunchMenu

    Free plan Open source APIMacWindows

    Customizable keyboard applets on macOS or Windows — LaunchMenu adds applets such as a dictionary, notes, file manager, and translator through a keyboard interface, unlike Starling's full desktop environment.

    8.9 Free plan Visit site
  4. 4

    Parkdale

    Free plan AndroidMacWindows

    Drive speed testing across access modes — Parkdale measures drive and network-server read/write speeds with three access modes; Starling provides a desktop environment, not benchmarks.

    Free plan Visit site
  5. 5

    Cairo Desktop Environment

    Free plan Windows

    A customizable Windows desktop shell — Cairo organizes Windows programs, open windows, files, and folder shortcuts, while Starling offers a distinct 2D and optional 3D workspace.

    7.2 Free plan Visit site
  6. 6

    Dawn Launcher

    Free plan Windows

    Windows users organizing apps, files, and websites — Dawn Launcher groups apps, files, and websites and adds paid search, protected categories, and backups, instead of Starling's desktop workspace.

    7.2 Free plan · paid from 34 CNY Visit site
  7. 7

    Flow Launcher

    Free plan Windows

    Windows app, file, and content search — Flow Launcher searches apps, files, file contents, bookmarks, and web results through a hotkey, rather than replacing Starling's desktop shell.

    7.1 Free plan Visit site
  8. 8

    Executor

    Free plan Open source Self-hostedWindows
    8.9 Free plan Visit site
  9. 9

    ExplorerPatcher

    Free plan Windows
    7.1 Free plan Visit site
  10. 10

    Fluent Search

    Free plan Windows
    7.1 Free plan Visit site
  11. 11

    Keypirinha

    Free plan Windows
    7.1 Free plan Visit site
  12. 12

    Listary

    Free plan Windows
    7.0 Free plan · paid from $19.95 Visit site
  13. 13

    MaxLauncher

    Free plan Windows
    7.0 Open source Visit site
  14. 14

    Open-Shell Menu

    Free plan Windows
    6.9 Free plan Visit site
  15. 15

    PExplorer

    Free plan Windows
    6.9 Free plan Visit site
  16. 16

    Pinpoint

    Free plan Windows
    6.9 Open source Visit site
  17. 17

    Portable Start Menu

    Free plan Windows
    6.9 Free plan Visit site
  18. 18

    SbieShell

    Free plan Windows
    6.8 Free plan Visit site
  19. 19

    Seelen UI

    Free plan Windows
    6.8 Free plan Visit site
  20. 20

    Start Everywhere

    Free plan Windows
    6.7 Free plan Visit site
  21. 21

    Power8

    Free plan Windows
    6.6 Open source Visit site
  22. 22

    Start Menu Reviver

    Free plan Windows
    6.6 Free plan Visit site
  23. 23

    Start Menu X

    Free plan Windows
    6.6 Free plan · paid from $14.99 Visit site
  24. 24

    SystemTrayMenu

    Free plan Windows
    6.6 Free plan Visit site
  25. 25

    ViStart

    Free plan Windows
    6.6 Free plan Visit site
  26. 26

    Wox

    Free plan LinuxMacWindows
    6.5 Free plan Visit site

A narrower utility may suit you better if you do not need a full desktop environment. Starling remains an early preview, with rough edges, missing pieces, and bugs; its Linux package target is Ubuntu 26.04 LTS on amd64, and its Windows shell supports Windows 10 and 11 x64. Its Windows preview installer is unsigned and prompts SmartScreen on first run. When choosing a replacement, weigh whether you need shell-level changes or instead want quick search, app and file launching, uninstall management, drive benchmarks, or focused utilities—and check which platforms each alternative supports.

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