- Price
- Free · Pro $10/mo
- Status
- Active · now on Windows & iOS
- Maker
- Raycast
- Facts checked
Image: Raycast — official share image, used for identification
Raycast at a glance: 8.2/10 (Great). A keyboard launcher for apps, files, clipboard, snippets and AI. Price: Free · Pro $10/mo. Best for: Keyboard-driven Mac (and now Windows) power users who want one launcher for apps, files, clipboard, snippets and AI. Biggest drawback: The Windows version had rough edges, and its extension ecosystem was still growing.
Verdict
Raycast replaces Spotlight with something far more useful — clipboard history, snippets, window management and thousands of extensions — and the core is free. It now runs on Windows and iOS too. AI is where it charges, and the top tiers get expensive quickly.
Get it if
You live on the keyboard and want one launcher for apps, files, clipboard, snippets and quick AI.
Skip it if
You prefer mouse-driven workflows, or only want AI and would rather pay for a dedicated chatbot.
Overview
Raycast started in 2020 and raised a $30M Series B in September 2024 specifically to bring the app beyond the Mac. That has happened: an iOS app launched in 2025 (9to5Mac), and the official Windows page now offers a v2 build for Windows 10+ with no beta label, though How-To Geek still described it as a beta in January 2026.
The free plan covers the launcher, file search, clipboard history (3 months), snippets, quicklinks, window management and the Extension Store. Pro ($10/month or $96/year) adds Raycast AI with 500 credits a month, Cloud Sync and unlimited clipboard history; Plus and Max raise the AI allowance at $20 and $50 a month.
How-To Geek’s Windows piece praises the act-on-results command palette and built-in clipboard history, and notes the Windows extension catalogue was still growing.
What it does
- App launcher and file search
- Clipboard history
- Snippets and Quicklinks
- Window management and calculator
- Extension Store (extensions can target both macOS and Windows)
- Raycast AI (credit-based), Cloud Sync, Notes and Dictation (Pro)
From Raycast (official).
Plans & platforms
| Pricing model | Free + subscription |
|---|---|
| Free plan | Core features, extensions, 3-month clipboard |
| Pro | $10/mo or $96/yr — 500 AI credits |
| Plus / Max | $20 / $50 per month |
| Teams | From free; Pro $15/user/mo |
| AI on free plan | No |
Pricing as listed by Raycast pricing page. Prices change; check before you buy.
The good
- Fast, keyboard-first command palette that lets you act on results (rename, move, open) How-To Geek
- Built-in clipboard history plus snippets, window management and automations How-To Geek
- Generous free tier: core features and thousands of extensions at $0 Raycast (official)
The bad
- The Windows version had rough edges, and its extension ecosystem was still growing How-To Geek
- No AI on the Free plan; AI use is capped by monthly credits (500 on Pro) Raycast (official)
- AI tiers get expensive: Max is $50/month, Teams Max is $65/user/month Raycast (official)
What reviewers say
How-To Geek recommends Raycast to anyone frustrated with Windows Search, citing its keyboard-first palette and built-in clipboard history.
Score breakdown
Five criteria, each 0–10, weighted into the overall score (see weights).
Questions people ask
Is Raycast worth it in 2026?
We rate Raycast 8.2/10 (Great). Raycast replaces Spotlight with something far more useful — clipboard history, snippets, window management and thousands of extensions — and the core is free. It now runs on Windows and iOS too. AI is where it charges, and the top tiers get expensive quickly.
How much does Raycast cost?
Free: $0; Pro: $10/month or $96/year; Plus: $20/month or $192/year; Max: $50/month or $480/year; Teams Free: $0. Prices from Raycast’s official pricing page, checked Oct 31, 2026.
What platforms does Raycast run on?
macOS, Windows, iOS.
What are the best alternatives to Raycast?
iA Writer (8.1/10, $29.99–$49.99 once).
Is there a Raycast discount or coupon?
50% off Raycast Pro for students. 20% off Raycast plans with annual billing.
Sources
- Raycast Pricing raycast.com · accessed Oct 31, 2026
- Raycast for Windows raycast.com · accessed Oct 31, 2026
- Raycast homepage raycast.com · accessed Oct 31, 2026
- $30M Series B (Raycast blog, 2024-09-25) raycast.com · accessed Oct 31, 2026
- If you hate Windows Search, try Raycast (HowToGeek, 2026-01-02) howtogeek.com · accessed Oct 31, 2026
- Raycast launches iOS app (9to5Mac, 2025-04-30) 9to5mac.com · accessed Oct 31, 2026
