smolcast
Open source
Best for clipboard, emoji and snippets in a tiny app
smolcast vs Fluent Search
Fluent Search searches tabs, windows, files and even text on screen. smolcast searches less and pastes more: clipboard history, emoji and snippets.
Updated Checked against fluentsearch.net and its docs. Sources
Fluent Search
Independent project
Best for searching everything, even text on screen
Feature by feature
Bold marks where smolcast comes out ahead, and only where the other side publishes the fact.
| smolcast | Fluent Search | |
|---|---|---|
| The basics | ||
| Price | Free | Free; donations welcome |
| Source | Open source (MIT) (the better pick) | License not published |
| Runs on | Windows 11 | Windows 10 and 11, x64 and ARM64 |
| Account | None | Not published |
| Default hotkey | CtrlAltSpace | Not published |
| Features | ||
| Clipboard history | Built inText and images. Encrypted on disk | Not listed |
| Snippets | Built inFind by name or keyword. No auto-expand | Not listed |
| Emoji picker | Built inEvery emoji, in color | Not listed |
| File search | Built inThrough Windows Search | Built inIts own native file indexer |
| Calculator | Built inUnits too. Enter pastes | Built in |
| Quicklinks | Built inKeywords with {query} | Web search |
| Extensions | NoScripts and quicklinks instead | C# plugins |
| AI | No | AI Search |
| Window management | No | Window search |
| Under the hood | ||
| Download | 7 MB, one .exeNo installer | Installer, APPX, portable or WinGetSize not published |
| 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 want clipboard history, emoji and snippets built in
- You want unit conversions that paste on Enter
- You want an MIT-licensed app you can read
- You want one small .exe
Go with Fluent Search if
- You want one search for apps, files, tabs and windows
- You want to search text on screen with OCR
- You want its own fast file index
- You want C# plugins
Coming from Fluent Search
-
Web searchesQuicklinks with a
{query}URL, and every search ends with your engine - File searchSearch Files uses the Windows Search index, no index of its own
- CommandsTracked script files, each with an optional hotkey
Try smolcast
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