Sliprail vs. Alfred vs. Raycast: The Ultimate Cross-Platform Launcher Comparison

If you are a heavy computer user, chances are you’ve used or at least heard of one of these tools:

Alfred – the classic launcher almost every power user installs on macOS
Raycast – the modern command palette that has exploded in popularity in the Mac community
Sliprail – a newer, cross-platform launcher for both Windows and macOS

All three are often labeled as “launchers” or “productivity launchers”. Their core goal is similar:

Let you use keyboard + commands to complete tasks in seconds that would otherwise take tens of seconds or even minutes.

But they differ significantly in design philosophy, platform support, extension ecosystem, AI integration, pricing model, and more.

This article compares them from the perspective of a heavy productivity-tool user and the developer of Sliprail, to help you decide:

Which one should you choose if you’re Mac-only?
What if you work across Windows + macOS?
Which tool is better if your workflow is AI-centric?
Which one fits developers / automation enthusiasts best?

1. Platforms & Positioning: Where Do They Run?

Tool	Platforms	Core Positioning
Sliprail	Windows + macOS	Cross-platform command hub + deep AI + extensions
Alfred	macOS	Classic Mac launcher + programmable Workflows
Raycast	macOS (official)	Modern command palette + rich extension ecosystem

Alfred: The Veteran Mac Launcher

Available only on macOS.
Stable, mature, battle-tested, with a huge user base.
Workflows enable powerful automation and customization; many long-time Mac users have Alfred wired into muscle memory.

Raycast: Modern UI and Built-in Extensions

Officially focused on macOS.
Modern look, smooth interactions, lots of built-in integrations.
Feels like a one-stop command center with an extension marketplace.

Sliprail: A Cross-Platform Command Hub

Native support for both Windows and macOS.
One license can activate up to 6 devices, including mixed Windows + Mac setups.
Main goals:
- Treat everything as commands ("shortcut instructions"), with a rich built-in command library.
- Provide an extension system + AI assistant + MCP to grow those commands via an ecosystem.
Perfect for:
- Users who work on both Windows and Mac;
- People who want a unified productivity tool across all their machines;
- Keyboard-centric users who want to do as much as possible via commands.

Platform takeaway:

Mac-only: all three tools are viable.
Mixed Windows + macOS: Sliprail is the only one that natively spans both platforms.

2. Core Capabilities: Search, Launch, Switch, System Commands

At the base level, all three tools do very similar things:

Launch applications
Open files / folders / websites
Switch windows
Trigger system commands (lock screen, sleep, shutdown, etc.)

Alfred

Strong app and file search powered by macOS indexing.
Highly customizable via keywords, scripts, and Workflows.
UI feels a bit traditional, but extremely familiar to long-time users.

Raycast

Presents almost everything through a unified command palette.
Ships with many built-in commands: window management, clipboard history, integrations, and more.
Has an extension store where you can browse and install commands with a single click.

Sliprail

Sliprail focuses on command-driven workflows across both Windows and macOS:

Command-first design:
- You trigger everything via commands and keywords.
- Commands are named to be semantic and memorable.
Fast window switching:
- Type a few letters of an app’s name to jump to its window immediately.
- No more hunting through the taskbar / Dock.
Cross-platform consistency:
- Similar interaction patterns on Windows and macOS.
- The goal: use the same habits regardless of which machine you’re on.

Core feature takeaway:

All three tools are fully capable as launchers.
Alfred / Raycast provide a polished Mac-only experience.
Sliprail brings similar power to Windows and unifies behavior across platforms.

3. Extensibility: Workflows, Extensions, and Custom Commands

If you’re a tinkerer or a developer, extensibility will likely be the deciding factor.

Alfred: The Classic Workflow Ecosystem

Alfred Workflows are very mature:
- Support scripts, hotkeys, keywords, UI elements, and more.
- Huge library of community Workflows (translation, clipboard utilities, GitHub search, etc.).
Limitations:
- macOS only.
- Some third-party Workflows are no longer actively maintained.

Raycast: Extension Store Experience

Raycast offers an extension store:
- Browse extensions with a nice GUI.
- One-click install.
Many developers write Raycast extensions in TypeScript.
Pros:
- Easy discovery and management of extensions.
- Official guidelines help maintain a certain quality level.

Sliprail: Built-in Commands + Extension System + Community

Sliprail treats extensibility as a core pillar:

Rich Built-in Commands
- Many everyday needs (files, websites, system actions, utilities) are covered out of the box.
- The goal: average users can get a lot done without installing any extension.
Official Extensions
- The Sliprail team continuously ships new official extensions.
- Examples: window management, text utilities, developer tools, and more.
Custom & Community Extensions
- You can define your own commands via extensions.
- You can load community extensions from GitHub, sharing workflows across teams and the wider community.
- Great for individuals or teams that want a shared “command set” for their workflows.
Developer-Friendly Documentation
- The project includes extensive docs (see the Docs directory):
  - How to create your first extension
  - Project structure and configuration
  - Run & debug, build & publish, etc.

Extensibility takeaway:

Alfred: rich, mature, Mac-only automation ecosystem.
Raycast: modern extension store with many community contributions.
Sliprail:
- Cross-platform extensibility;
- Committed to both official and community extensions;
- A good fit if you want to design your own command hub for yourself or your team.

4. AI Integration: Which One Fits AI-Driven Workflows?

AI is now part of everyday workflows: translation, summarization, coding, research, writing, and more.

Alfred & Raycast

Neither is AI-native by design.
Both can integrate with ChatGPT or other APIs via extensions or Workflows.
The experience depends on:
- The specific extension / Workflow you choose;
- How you configure API keys, models, etc.;
- Your network environment.

Sliprail: Nora AI + MCP as First-Class Citizens

Sliprail was designed from day one with AI as a first-class capability:

Nora AI assistant built in:
- Bring up Sliprail from anywhere.
- Type nora + space + your question to chat with AI instantly.
- Use it for Q&A, translation, writing, coding assistance, and more.
Multiple AI models:
- Switch between models for different needs (speed, quality, cost).
MCP (Model Context Protocol) integration:
- Connect AI to more tools and services through MCP.
- Let AI not just “chat”, but actually call tools and perform actions.
Tight integration with commands:
- AI isn’t just another chat window.
- It’s a component that can be embedded into your command workflows and extensions.

AI takeaway:

If you only occasionally need ChatGPT, any of the three can work via plugins.
If you want AI to be deeply integrated into daily operations and future tools via MCP:
- Sliprail’s design gives it a clear edge.

5. UX & Design: UI, Themes, and Learning Curve

Alfred

Simple, traditional UI with highly customizable themes.
Learning curve:
- As a basic launcher: almost none.
- For advanced Workflows: requires some scripting / automation knowledge.

Raycast

Modern UI with smooth animations and a “Mac-native” feel.
Comes with many built-in features; feels powerful out of the box.
Extension management is straightforward via the built-in store.

Sliprail

Multiple themes, focusing on clean, lightweight visuals that don’t interrupt your flow.
Single unified entry point:
- Launch apps, trigger commands, switch windows, and summon AI all from one input bar.
Learning curve:
- Using built-in commands: very easy.
- Creating extensions: requires some development experience, but official docs guide you step by step.

Design takeaway:

Alfred: a “veteran” feel – familiar, reliable, heavily customizable.
Raycast: polished and modern, especially attractive if you like command palettes.
Sliprail: a cross-platform command center focused on a unified command interface and AI integration.

6. Licensing & Pricing: One-Time vs Subscription vs Multi-Device

The following is a conceptual overview; actual pricing and terms may change over time. Always check the official sites for up-to-date details.

Alfred

Typically a one-time license (with occasional paid upgrades for major versions).
Targeted at macOS users.

Raycast

Personal use: core features are generally free.
Teams and advanced features lean towards a subscription model.
Aims to be a “command center for teams” in the long run.

Sliprail

Sliprail Lite subscription costs $2.99 per month.
Sliprail Pro subscription costs $5.99 per month and includes a 14-day fully featured free trial – no credit card required.
Each subscription can activate up to 6 devices, supporting mixed Windows + Mac setups.

Licensing takeaway:

Single Mac, single user: any of the three can be cost-effective, depending on your needs.
Multiple devices and platforms: Sliprail’s 6-device cross-platform license is particularly attractive.

7. Recommendations by Use Case

1) Mac-Only Users

Deeply invested in Alfred Workflows:
- Sticking with Alfred makes perfect sense; switching costs can be high.
Prefer a modern UI and extension store:
- Raycast is an excellent choice with a polished experience.
Interested in AI-first workflows and future Windows use:
- Sliprail is worth trying, especially if you anticipate adding Windows machines later.

2) Windows + macOS Users

Want a consistent experience across platforms:
- Sliprail is the most practical option.
Don’t want separate toolchains (Alfred/Raycast on Mac, something else on Windows):
- Sliprail can serve as your unified command hub.

3) AI-Heavy / AI-Native Workflows

Want the launcher primarily as an AI gateway:
- Alfred / Raycast + third-party AI integrations can work.
- Sliprail, with its built-in Nora AI assistant, multi-model support, and MCP integration, is better suited if you see AI as core infrastructure, not an add-on.

4) Developers / Automation Enthusiasts

Your main concerns usually are:
- How programmable is it?
- How good are the docs?
- Can I reuse ideas across platforms?

Comparison:

Alfred:
- Workflows are very powerful for Mac automation.
Raycast:
- TypeScript-based extensions and store-driven distribution are appealing to modern developers.
Sliprail:
- Focuses on command-driven extensions and cross-platform consistency.
- Supports official, custom, and GitHub-hosted community extensions.
- Provides detailed developer documentation (see the Docs section in the project for structure, quickstart, debugging, and publishing guidance).

8. Why I Built Sliprail

As someone who works daily on both Windows and macOS, I ran into the same pain repeatedly:

On Mac, Alfred or Raycast feels great.
On Windows, the experience regresses to “clicking around with a mouse + scattered tools”.
Building one consistent set of habits and workflows across both platforms is hard.

Sliprail was born to address exactly that:

Unified cross-platform experience
- Stop thinking “this is my Mac workflow, that’s my Windows workflow”.
- Use the same mental model – commands – everywhere.
Command-centric design
- Whenever possible, express actions as commands, not buttons and menus.
Deep AI integration
- AI shouldn’t be “another app”; it should be a helper you can invoke and integrate anywhere.
Open extension ecosystem
- Officially maintained, practical extensions.
- Community space to create and share your own commands and tools.

I don’t see Sliprail as a direct “replacement” for Alfred or Raycast – both are excellent in their own domains and have large, loyal user bases.

But if you:

Work across Windows and macOS,
Rely heavily on AI,
Prefer a command-centric way of using your computer,

then Sliprail might be a new track worth exploring.

Conclusion: Which One Should You Choose?

If we had to summarize them in one line each:

Alfred – The classic, rock-solid Mac launcher with a powerful Workflow engine.
Raycast – The modern, polished command palette with an extension store, focused on Mac.
Sliprail – A cross-platform productivity hub centered on commands, AI, and extensibility.

If you already have a favorite, this article may help clarify its strengths and trade-offs.

If you’re currently choosing a launcher, consider this workflow:

Download Sliprail for your platform from the official site.
Use the 14-day full-featured trial to explore its commands and the Nora AI assistant.
Compare the experience with your current tool (Alfred / Raycast) and ask:
- Which tool better matches the way I actually work day-to-day?
- Which one will scale with me if I add more devices, more platforms, and more AI in the future?

Ultimately, the best tool is the one that helps you:

Stay focused, reduce friction, and reach your flow state faster.

Hopefully, this comparison helps you make a choice that fits your workflow for the long run.