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About Raycast
What is Raycast?
Raycast is a productivity launcher that replaces your Mac or Windows search with a blazing-fast, keyboard-first tool. It lets you open apps, search files, run calculations, and control tools like Jira, Slack, Notion, and Zoom without ever leaving your keyboard. Built for developers, designers, and anyone who wants to move faster.
Who is it for?
Raycast is ideal for professionals who live in their keyboard — engineers, product managers, writers, and creatives. It is not for users who prefer mouse-first navigation or want a simple app launcher without extensions. Teams can share snippets, quicklinks, and custom commands.
Real use cases
Search and create tasks in Linear or Jira, translate text with Google Translate, control Spotify playback, compress images with TinyPNG, manage 1Password credentials, and start a Pomodoro timer — all from one search bar. The AI assistant answers questions, writes emails, and automates repetitive tasks.
Key features
- Keyboard-first launcher — open apps, files, and actions in milliseconds without touching your mouse.
- Thousands of extensions — integrate with Jira, Slack, Notion, Google Chrome, Spotify, and hundreds more.
- Quick AI — ask questions, get answers with web context, and write or rewrite text using AI.
- Clipboard History & Window Management — built-in tools for copying, pasting, and arranging windows.
- Custom Commands — create your own AI commands to automate repetitive tasks.
- Team features — share snippets, quicklinks, and extensions across your organization.
- Cross-platform — available on macOS and Windows (beta).
SaaSpartout Score
8.3
/10
Editorial score from our review methodology — not user ratings.
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Raycast Pricing
Raycast pricing: Free forever (Pro with AI from $8/mo). Billing model: Freemium.
Free (Forever)
$0 — includes all built-in extensions (Clipboard History, Calendar, Window Management), public community extensions, and limited free AI messages to try the feature.
Pro with AI — $8/month
Includes everything in Free plus unlimited AI messages, access to advanced AI models (add-on available), and a 14-day free trial. Use AI for writing, coding help, and automation. Student discount available (50% off Pro).
Teams — Free tier available
Free Teams plan: up to 30 shared snippets, 30 shared quicklinks, and 5 shared commands. Paid Teams: per-user per-month pricing with unlimited sharing and admin controls. No seat minimum or maximum.
Frequently asked questions
Is Raycast free?
Yes, Raycast is free forever for personal use. The free plan includes all built-in extensions and access to the public extension store. Limited AI messages are also free. Pro with AI costs $8/month.
What is Raycast used for?
Raycast is a productivity launcher that speeds up everyday tasks: opening apps, searching files, controlling tools like Jira and Slack, translating text, managing clipboard history, and using AI to answer questions or automate work.
Does Raycast work on Windows?
Yes. Raycast is available on macOS and Windows (beta). Windows users can install via winget or download from the website.
Who is Raycast best for?
Raycast is best for professionals who prefer keyboard-driven workflows — developers, designers, product managers, and writers. It is less suited for casual users or those who rely on mouse navigation.
What are the top alternatives to Raycast?
Popular alternatives include Spotlight (built-in macOS), Alfred, LaunchBar, and Keyboard Maestro. For AI-focused launchers, consider Arc Max or Maccy. Each has different strengths: Raycast stands out for its extension ecosystem and AI integration.
Does Raycast have a student discount?
Yes, Raycast offers a 50% discount on the Pro plan for verified students. The discount does not apply to the Advanced AI add-on.
