Best Raycast Alternative for Chrome, Edge and Windows

Raycast has no command bar inside Chrome: its Chrome extension, Raycast Companion, only passes the current tab to the desktop app. If you live in Chrome, Edge or Brave or cannot install desktop apps on a work laptop, use a browser command bar like SuperCommands; for a whole-desktop launcher on Windows, use Raycast for Windows or Microsoft's free PowerToys Command Palette.

Prices below are from each vendor's official site as of October 2026.

Does Raycast work on Windows or inside Chrome?

On Windows yes, in beta; inside Chrome, no.

• Windows: public beta since November 20, 2025, via the Microsoft Store or winget install raycast on Windows 10 21H2 or later (Windows page). Cloud Sync is listed as coming later.
• Chrome: Raycast Companion (70,000 users, 4.7 rating) lets Raycast AI read the active tab and requires the Raycast app. It adds no palette.
• Linux and ChromeOS: no Raycast app; a browser extension is the only option.

Raycast's Free plan includes quicklinks, snippets, 3 months of clipboard history and window management. AI starts with Pro at $10 a month or $96 a year.

Raycast alternatives for Chrome and Windows, compared

SuperCommands

Best for: Raycast-style quicklinks, snippets and page commands inside the browser.

SuperCommands gives Chrome, Edge and Brave saved links, link collections, text expanders and AI chat agents, all opened from Alt + S or c plus Space in the address bar.

• Scenario: save issue tracker, staging, CI and release notes as release; c release opens all four. Raycast quicklinks open one URL each.
• Skip it if you need app launching, file search, clipboard history or window tiling.
• Price: free and open source; the local version is 100% free, forever.

Vimium

Best for: jumping to tabs you already have open.

Vimium searches open tabs with T and URLs, bookmarks and history with o.

• Fact: 600,000 users, MIT licensed, last updated March 2026.
• Skip it if you want saved tab sets or snippets.
• Price: free. More options in our command palette roundup.

Raycast for Windows

Best for: Mac Raycast users who also work on a PC.

It covers app launch, file search, clipboard history, snippets, quicklinks and AI. Most extensions work on both systems unless they need native code.

• Weakness: still bringing Mac features over; Cloud Sync not yet available.
• Skip it if you want a finished, stable launcher today.
• Price: Free plan; Pro from $10/month.

PowerToys Command Palette

Best for: a free launcher from Microsoft.

Command Palette opens with Win + Alt + Space and launches apps, files (file plus a space), commands (>), web search (??) and settings ($).

• Strength: Bookmarks accept a {query} placeholder, close to Raycast quicklinks.
• Skip it if you need anything inside the browser tab.
• Price: free.

Flow Launcher

Best for: an open-source, keyword-driven launcher on Windows.

Flow Launcher opens with Alt + Space and searches apps, files and bookmarks from your installed browsers.

• Fact: version 2.1.4 shipped September 20, 2026, with a plugin store.
• Skip it if you want one tool for Mac and Windows.
• Price: free, open source.

Alfred

Best for: Mac users who want scripted Workflows.

Alfred launches apps, finds files and searches the web; Alfred 5 is current, Alfred 6 in preview.

• Weakness: macOS only, no Windows or browser version.
• Workflows need the Powerpack.
• Price: £34 single v5 license, £59 Mega Supporter.

How do I recreate a Raycast quicklink in Chrome?

Use a SuperCommands dynamic link: any saved URL with {query} in it.

1. Press Alt + S, type c link and save https://github.com/search?q={query}.
2. In Properties, give it the text shortcut gh.
3. In the address bar type c, Space, gh useeffect, then Enter. GitHub search opens for "useeffect".

With no extra words, the saved URL opens as-is. See the links docs.

Which one should you pick?

• Pick SuperCommands if you work almost entirely in Chrome, Edge or Brave, or cannot install desktop software.
• Pick Vimium (or Chrome's Ctrl + Shift + A) if you mostly find open tabs. See how to search tabs, links and notes from one command bar.
• Pick Raycast for Windows if you already know Raycast, or PowerToys Command Palette for a free Microsoft launcher.
• Pick a text expander if you mainly need reusable replies; see our text expander guide.

FAQ

Is Raycast available on Windows?

Yes, as a public beta since November 2025, from the Microsoft Store or WinGet. Some Mac features, including Cloud Sync, are still coming.

Is there a Raycast extension for Chrome?

Raycast Companion, but it requires the Raycast app and adds no launcher inside Chrome.

What is the best free Raycast alternative for Windows?

PowerToys Command Palette, free from Microsoft. Flow Launcher is a free, open-source option.

Can I use Raycast on Linux or a Chromebook?

No Linux or ChromeOS version is listed. A Chrome extension such as SuperCommands or Vimium is the practical option.