Raycast costs $20/mo.
These cost $0.
2 free alternatives to Raycast, checked for license, recent activity and real adoption. Each one tells you the catch, so you can switch with your eyes open.
The top-rated free, open-source replacement for Raycast is Ueli (Open Source Open Source). Switching a 5-person team saves up to $1,200/year compared to Raycast's $20/mo subscription.
The catch: Community-driven open source project without dedicated enterprise SLAs.
Raycast vs Free Alternatives
Quick side-by-side comparison · $0/mo vs $20/mo
| Alternative | Type | License | Where It Runs | Stars | Head-to-Head |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ueli | open source | Open Source | Local | ★ 4.6k | Raycast vs Ueli → |
| Sol | open source | Open Source | Local | ★ 3.2k | Raycast vs Sol → |
The picks
2 open source · ranked by fit
- 01
Ueli
open sourceOpen SourceLocal4.6knov 2026A keyboard-driven launcher that helps you quickly find and open applications, files, and bookmarks across Windows, macOS, and Linux
The catch vs RaycastCommunity-driven open source project without dedicated enterprise SLAs.
Install, platforms & data +
- platforms
- desktopcross-platformone-click install
- install
- Clone https://github.com/oliverschwendener/ueli or deploy with Docker Compose
- setup
- Download the native package or installer for your operating system.
- your data
- All application data lives locally on your own machine.
- checked
- 2026-11-07
- 02
Sol
open sourceOpen SourceLocal3.2knov 2026A modern macOS launcher that provides instant access to applications, utilities, and system functions through an elegant and efficient interface.
The catch vs RaycastCommunity-driven open source project without dedicated enterprise SLAs.
Install, platforms & data +
- platforms
- desktopcross-platformone-click install
- install
- Clone https://github.com/ospfranco/sol or deploy with Docker Compose
- setup
- Download the native package or installer for your operating system.
- your data
- All application data lives locally on your own machine.
- checked
- 2026-11-07
Raycast Head-to-Head Comparisons (2027)
Side-by-side trade-off breakdowns · 2 free alternatives
Frequently Asked Questions
Direct answers · Raycast open-source replacements
What is the best free alternative to Raycast?+
The top free alternative to Raycast is Ueli (open source, Open Source). A keyboard-driven launcher that helps you quickly find and open applications, files, and bookmarks across Windows, macOS, and Linux Other popular Raycast replacements include Sol.
How much does switching from Raycast to a free alternative save?+
Raycast starts at $20/month per seat ($240/year). Switching a 5-person team to a free alternative like Ueli saves $1,200 per year in software subscription fees.
Should I vibe-code or build my own Raycast clone from scratch?+
Our build verdict for Raycast is NO (use a free alternative, save the tokens). Instead of paying recurring SaaS fees for Raycast or rebuilding it from scratch, deploy one of the 2 battle-tested open-source alternatives like Ueli.
What is the catch when switching from Raycast to Ueli?+
Community-driven open source project without dedicated enterprise SLAs.
