Alternatives / Raycast
Ueli and Sol cover different parts of Raycast's keyboard-driven productivity experience. Ueli is cross-platform and extension-based; Sol focuses on built-in macOS workflows and custom scripts. Neither matches the breadth of Raycast's extension ecosystem.
Written by Maxime DERAME
Last updated:
Raycast brings app launching, file search, clipboard history, window management, calculator, snippets, notes, quick links, extensions, AI, and developer utilities into one interface. Ueli and Sol reproduce many individual capabilities, but neither currently matches the breadth of Raycast's commercial extension marketplace. Ueli emphasizes extensions; Sol leans on built-in tools and custom scripts.
Ueli runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux, which makes it useful for people switching between operating systems. Sol focuses on macOS and uses Apple-specific features such as AppleScript, system controls, and macOS window management.
Ueli has a dedicated extension architecture with application and file search, browser bookmarks, calculator, currency conversion, DeepL translation, password generation, system commands and settings, terminal launching, UUID generation, Visual Studio Code, and web search. Sol relies more on built-in functionality, custom links, AppleScript, and its script runner.
Both launchers can perform their main functions locally: opening applications, searching files, running commands, opening bookmarks, or managing windows does not inherently require a cloud account. Some optional integrations may call external APIs.
Both Ueli and Sol use the MIT license. Ueli has the larger GitHub community and broader platform support; Sol is tailored to macOS. Their extension and integration ecosystems are smaller than Raycast's.
People look for a Raycast alternative when they want an open-source launcher, Windows or Linux support, fewer cloud dependencies, no mandatory account, custom commands, local-first operation, or a simpler command palette. Raycast combines application and file search, clipboard history, window management, snippets, notes, extensions, AI, and developer tools; open alternatives reproduce different subsets of that ecosystem.
| Alternative | License | Platforms | GitHub stars | Extensions | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ueli | MIT | Windows / macOS / Linux | ~4.6k | Yes | Cross-platform launcher |
| Sol | MIT | macOS | ~3.1k | Scripts / custom actions | Lightweight macOS launcher |
Want a cross-platform Raycast alternative
Ueli supports Windows, macOS, and Linux with application and file search, bookmarks, commands, and an extension system.
Want an open-source launcher specifically for macOS
Sol focuses on native macOS workflows such as AppleScript commands, window management, system actions, and media controls.
Want a dedicated plugin architecture
Ueli has an extension architecture with tools for search, bookmarks, calculators, system commands, terminal launching, and more.
Prefer built-in productivity utilities
Sol includes clipboard history, notes, window management, process control, translation, calendar features, and developer utilities.
Want the larger GitHub community
Ueli has roughly 4,600 GitHub stars compared with around 3,100 for Sol, based on the supplied project figures.
Want the closest match to the full Raycast ecosystem
Neither project replaces the full Raycast ecosystem. Ueli is closer in extensibility and platform breadth, while Sol is closer to the native macOS launcher experience.