Alfred vs nvALT

Allows the creation of automated workflows by connecting keywords, hotkeys and actions together without writing code.

You can do everything using just the keyboard.

Alfred is able to handle simple mathematical commands and more extensive expressions alike. Pressing Enter copies the result to the clipboard.

Alfred allows getting secure and fast access to your 1Password 1Click bookmarks.

Alfred is a lightweight application for OS X and runs smoothly, even on older devices.

Quickly search for files, applications and web services from the same input.

Helps speed up your working day one shortcut at a time.

Alfred offers a clipboard with an extensive history for quick access to your copied text, images and links.

Alfred allows adjusting colors, fonts, sizes and more to create new themes.

The paid version is more customizable, but the free version is still very powerful.

nvALT has a simple text box at the top (similar to that of a web browser) and when you start typing inside it, nvALT immediately displays a drop-down box of all the notes that contain the text you are searching for. The more you type, the more the search is narrowed down.

Has built-in support for MultiMarkdown 3.

nvALT is not only used for simple text editing but also as a powerful tool for taking notes, TODOs, phone numbers and every other piece of information that can be stored in a plain-text file.

This is because nvALT is not designed only as a tool to write text, but also as a powerful search and organize tool for plain-text files.