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smolcast
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Alfred

smolcast vs Alfred

Alfred is Mac only. On Windows, smolcast gives you a launcher with clipboard history and snippets built in, free.

Updated 23 Oct 2026 Checked against alfredapp.com, its Powerpack page and help (v5.8.1). Sources

smolcast

Open source

Windows 11
Free
Open source
7 MB

Best for an Alfred-style launcher on Windows

Alfred

Running with Crayons

macOS
Free + Powerpack £34
Workflows
Snippet expansion

Best for workflows and power features on a Mac

Get Alfred

Feature by feature

Bold marks where smolcast comes out ahead, and only where the other side publishes the fact.

The basics
	smolcast	Alfred
Price	Free	Free; Powerpack £34
Source	Open source (MIT) (the better pick)	Source not published
Runs on	Windows 11	macOS 10.14 or later
Account	None	Not published
Default hotkey	`CtrlAltSpace`	Configurable
Features
Clipboard history	Built inText and images. Encrypted on disk (the better pick)	Powerpack
Snippets	Built inFind by name or keyword. No auto-expand (the better pick)	PowerpackWith text expansion
Emoji picker	Built inEvery emoji, in color	Not listed
File search	Built inThrough Windows Search	Built in
Calculator	Built inUnits too. Enter pastes	Built in
Quicklinks	Built inKeywords with {query}	Web search
Extensions	NoScripts and quicklinks instead	WorkflowsPowerpack
AI	No	Not listed
Window management	No	Not listed
Under the hood
Download	7 MB, one .exeNo installer	Mac app
Idle	0% CPU while hidden	Not published
Privacy	No telemetryOne daily update check, can be turned off	See its policy

Pick the one that fits

Go with smolcast if

You’re on Windows 11
You want clipboard history and snippets free
You want an open-source launcher
You want something tiny

Go with Alfred if

You’re on a Mac (smolcast isn’t)
You want workflows
You want snippets that expand as you type

Get Alfred

Coming from Alfred

Web searchesQuicklinks with {query}, typed after a keyword like Alfred’s
Snippets[snippets.<id>] with a keyword; found in the palette, not expanded as you type
HotkeyCtrlAltSpace, the Windows reach of ⌥Space

Try smolcast

Windows 11, x64
7 MB
Free and open source

Download