What is Alfred used for?

Alfred is a macOS launcher that searches your Mac and the web, with clipboard history, snippets and workflow automation through its Powerpack. It is a good fit for fast app and file launching, reusable text snippets, and custom keyboard-driven workflows.

Is Alfred open source?

No. Alfred is proprietary (closed-source) software. Open-source alternatives to Alfred include RustCast, Flow Launcher and PowerToys.

Can I self-host Alfred?

Yes. Although Alfred is closed source, it can be self-hosted on your own servers.

What are some alternatives to Alfred?

Alfred competes with Raycast and Keyboard Maestro. For open-source options, see Enlisted's ranked list of open-source Alfred alternatives.

Alfred: features, pricing and alternatives

About Alfred

Alfred is a productivity app for macOS that speeds up everyday tasks with hotkeys, keywords and text expansion. You can launch applications, find files on your Mac or the web, and browse and preview files without lifting your fingers off the keyboard.

Clipboard History lets you find and paste anything you copied earlier, including text, images and files, and Snippets expand short abbreviations into full text. The paid Powerpack adds workflows that link hotkeys, keywords and actions together without writing code, imports of community-shared workflows, deep control of music and custom actions for controlling the Mac. A remote app and a forum are also listed.

Alfred 5 is the current version, with Alfred 6 teased for autumn. It is commercial software with a free download and a paid Powerpack, runs locally on your Mac, and suits power users who prefer keyboard-driven control.

Key features

App launcher and file search
Web search with keywords
Clipboard history
Snippets with text expansion
No-code workflows via Powerpack
Mac control and music actions

Good fit for

→Fast app and file launching
→Reusable text snippets
→Custom keyboard-driven workflows

Tags: macos; launcher; productivity; clipboard-manager; text-expansion; workflows; hotkeys; desktop-software

Alfred: questions and answers

What is Alfred used for?: Alfred is a macOS launcher that searches your Mac and the web, with clipboard history, snippets and workflow automation through its Powerpack. It is a good fit for fast app and file launching, reusable text snippets, and custom keyboard-driven workflows.
Is Alfred free?: Yes. Alfred has a free plan.
Is Alfred open source?: No. Alfred is proprietary (closed-source) software. Open-source alternatives to Alfred include RustCast, Flow Launcher and PowerToys.
Can I self-host Alfred?: Yes. Although Alfred is closed source, it can be self-hosted on your own servers.
What are some alternatives to Alfred?: Alfred competes with Raycast and Keyboard Maestro. For open-source options, see Enlisted's ranked list of open-source Alfred alternatives.