Flow Launcher vs Rubick
Which should you use? A side-by-side look at what each one does, who it suits, what it costs, how hard it is to set up, and where each falls short.
Open source · MIT
A quick file search and app launcher for Windows with community-made plugins.
Open source · MIT
Open-source Electron desktop toolbox that launches apps and runs installable plugins.
The short answer
Choose Flow Launcher if you need…
- Windows users who open apps and files mostly by typing
- People who want a keyboard-first way to run system commands like shutdown or lock
- Users who want to search browser bookmarks and web queries from one box
- People who want to extend a launcher with plugins
Choose Rubick if you need…
- People who want a keyboard-driven launcher for apps and files on Windows or macOS
- Users who want to add small tools through a plugin market
- Teams that want to deploy it on an internal network, as the README states
- Developers who want to build their own plugins using the project's plugin CLI
Side-by-side
| Flow Launcher | Rubick | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | App | App |
| Price | Free and open source | Free and open source |
| Licence | MIT | MIT |
| GitHub stars | 15.9k | 10.1k |
| Setup difficulty | Beginner | Beginner |
| How you get it | Install with a package manager | Download the app |
| Main language | C# | TypeScript |
| Last code update | 5 days ago | 10 months ago |
What each one is
Flow Launcher
Flow Launcher is a free, open-source search tool for Windows. You press a hotkey, type a few letters, and it finds apps, files, bookmarks, web searches, system commands and more. Community-made plugins can add extra sources.
Rubick
Rubick is a desktop launcher and toolbox built with Electron. You press a shortcut (Alt/Option+R), type keywords to find local apps, files, or folders, and run plugins from a built-in plugin market. Plugins are installed like npm packages, and plugin data can be synced across devices with WebDAV.
Best for
Flow Launcher
- Windows users who open apps and files mostly by typing
- People who want a keyboard-first way to run system commands like shutdown or lock
- Users who want to search browser bookmarks and web queries from one box
- People who want to extend a launcher with plugins
Rubick
- People who want a keyboard-driven launcher for apps and files on Windows or macOS
- Users who want to add small tools through a plugin market
- Teams that want to deploy it on an internal network, as the README states
- Developers who want to build their own plugins using the project's plugin CLI
Strengths
Flow Launcher
- Free and open source under the MIT license
- Covers apps, files, bookmarks, web searches and system settings in one search box
- Extensible through community plugins and supports multiple languages
Rubick
- Plugin installation follows the familiar npm package pattern
- Supports WebDAV for syncing plugin data across devices
- Has a large community, with about 10k GitHub stars and an MIT license
Not ideal for
Flow Launcher
- macOS or Linux users, since the project is described as a Windows launcher
- People who want a mouse-driven start menu replacement with no setup
- Users who need every plugin to be vetted, since plugins are community-made and the README does not describe a review process
Rubick
- People who want a minimal launcher with no plugin system, since the README centers on plugins
- Users who need guaranteed security features beyond what the README describes, since it makes broad claims without detail
Trade-offs
Flow Launcher
- Windows only, according to the README
- The README notes Windows may warn about unsigned code on first install
- Plugin quality and safety depend on each plugin's author
Rubick
- The README is short on detail about plugin security and the plugin ecosystem, so users must judge plugins themselves
- Some docs and download links point to third-party sites and mirrors, and the README is partly in Chinese
Getting started
Flow Launcher
Install with Winget
winget install "Flow Launcher"Install with Scoop
scoop install Flow-LauncherRubick
Clone the repository
git clone https://github.com/rubickCenter/rubickFrequently asked questions
What is the difference between Flow Launcher and Rubick?
Flow Launcher: A quick file search and app launcher for Windows with community-made plugins. Rubick: Open-source Electron desktop toolbox that launches apps and runs installable plugins. Flow Launcher suits windows users who open apps and files mostly by typing, while Rubick suits people who want a keyboard-driven launcher for apps and files on windows or macos.
Are Flow Launcher and Rubick free?
Flow Launcher: Free and open source. Rubick: Free and open source.
Is Flow Launcher or Rubick more popular?
Flow Launcher has more GitHub stars (15.9k) than Rubick (10.1k). Popularity isn't the same as fit — check which one matches your use case above.
What are other alternatives to Flow Launcher and Rubick?
Other options people compare them with include Playnite, Cmder, Pear Desktop.
Keep comparing
Built from our catalogue entries for both products: open-source details come from each project's README (AI-assisted, refreshed weekly) and GitHub data; AI-tool details are editorial. Spotted something wrong? Let us know from either product's page.