When comparing Fluent Search vs WinLaunch, the Slant community recommends WinLaunch for most people. In the question“What are the best app launchers for Windows?” WinLaunch is ranked 1st while Fluent Search is ranked 11th. The most important reason people chose WinLaunch is:
You can do anything, from launching applications, to adding, grouping and removing them without using the keyboard. There are also keyboard shortcuts available for those that do not like using the mouse, either way the app will work with whatever workflow works best for the user.
Specs
Ranked in these QuestionsQuestion Ranking
Pros
Pro Customizable
Most things can be tweaked, including the interface, the default search engines, the prioritization of search results, the search tags, and more.
Pro Modern
The developer works for Microsoft and is already developing with an eye toward Windows 11 (while maintaining functionality under Windows 10)
Pro Powerful filename search
It has a built-in indexer, but can also use others (including Everything)
Pro Active development
The developer is very responsive to the community, and releases new versions on a regular basis
Pro Free
There are no ads, and no paid version
Pro Plugin system
Users can develop their own plugins to extend the functionality
Pro Works with anyone's workflow
You can do anything, from launching applications, to adding, grouping and removing them without using the keyboard. There are also keyboard shortcuts available for those that do not like using the mouse, either way the app will work with whatever workflow works best for the user.
Pro Anyone can use it
It is free to use as it is donation-funded.
Pro Fast access and setup
It enables you to launch any application with very few clicks. If you organize your apps well, you get them in one single click. You may need two or three at most if you need to open a folder or move to another page. HotCorners is a great idea, allowing you to view WinLaunch without even clicking.
Even setting up your apps in it is fast and intuitive, with simple clicks and drag-n-drops.
Cons
Con Sometimes buggy
Con Inconvenient manual setup
After installed the first time you pull the launcher up there will be no apps contained within, this means every user will have to manually add the apps they would like in the launcher, which is time consuming. An auto population feature would be more convenient, sadly there is none.