Add to Chrome
Add to Edge
Add to Firefox
Add to Opera
Add to Brave
Add to SafariWhen comparing Ulauncher vs Plank, the Slant community recommends Ulauncher for most people. In the question“What are the best Linux app launchers?” Ulauncher is ranked 2nd while Plank is ranked 7th. The most important reason people chose Ulauncher is:
Ulauncher comes with very reasonable defaults, looks good and just works.
Specs
Question Ranking
Pros
Pro Simple
Ulauncher comes with very reasonable defaults, looks good and just works.
Pro Themeable
ULauncher supports themes and comes with a good supply on install but more can also be made.
Pro Fast
Pro Supports fuzzy search
You can enter app name with a typo and Ulauncher will still be able to find it.
Pro Allows custom shortcuts
Pro Actively maintained
Unlike Albert or others, it is actually being maintained.
Pro Supports extensions in Python
With Ulauncher you can easily add and update third party extensions. From kill process to windows switching, many of them work very well. The extension API is documented and if you know Python you can create and share your own extensions.
Pro Direct plugin install from GitHub
Can fork, customize, and install instantly.
Pro Good extension ecosystem
Pro Good look
Ulauncher looks modern & can be customized with many themes.
Pro Extensions are really easy to write by yourself
Pro Able to launch Kdialog, Zenity and Bash scripts
Extensions are easily created. Python script is all open to see. Not compiled like some.
Pro Solid and lightweight
Pro Simple and minimal
Plank is a good choice for those looking for something simple that just does its job well. There is no UI for options built in to the dock as to change anything those options will have to be accessed through a text file.
Pro Third party themer available
An additional third party app has been developed that allows theming the dock without the use of any extra resources. This is great for those that are not using elementary OS and the elementary tweaks extra.
Cons
Con Needs more posibilities for extensions
Currently, extensions can run only when you type their alias and <space>. There is no way to see results from multiple extensions at once. The output is also limited just to rows.
Con Pretty slow
Launches with a delay.
Con Does not easily fit into a customized desktop without full GTK3 CSD support
Con No right click menu for some apps outside of elementary OS
Other file explorers and terminals (those not found in the default elementary OS) do not have any right click menus for the dock meaning it is impossible to launch multiple windows for certain file explorers or terminals.
Con Poor workplace awareness (cycling windows)
When configured to only show apps on current workspace, cycling an app open on multiple workspaces will switch workspace focus, update the dock and often leave you to cycle another app.
Built By the Slant team
Lustre recommends the best products at their lowest prices.
Try it now - it's free