What Is Raycast? Features and Overview of the Multi-Purpose Launcher for Mac, Windows, and iPhone (Updated November 2026)

Hi, I’m Hoda!

Raycast is a multi-purpose launcher that handles the small tasks of everyday computer work from a single keyboard shortcut: opening apps, searching files, browsing clipboard history, inserting reusable text, organizing windows, and even asking AI questions.

It started out as a Mac-only tool, but in 2026 Windows and iPhone versions arrived, so you can now use it on Mac, Windows, and iPhone. The core features are free, and it’s used by developers and creators around the world, especially people who find the built-in Mac search, Spotlight, a bit limiting. (I use both Mac and Windows, but Windows is my main machine, so that’s where I use Raycast most!)

In this article, I’ll walk through what Raycast is, what it can do, its AI features, supported platforms, a pricing overview, who it’s for (and who it isn’t), and how to get started, all based on official information as of November 2026.

What Is Raycast? The Short Answer

In a nutshell, Raycast is an extensible command center that you call up in place of Spotlight.

On a Mac, the standard way to open it is ⌘ + Space. Just type into the small input box that appears, and you can do things like:

• Open apps and find files
• Recall and paste text or links you’ve copied before
• Instantly insert saved text snippets
• Snap windows to the left half of the screen, the right third, and so on
• Work with external services like Notion, Slack, Linear, and Jira without opening a browser
• Ask AI a question, or summarize or proofread selected text, without switching screens

In other words, Raycast brings the small actions you repeat dozens of times a day (open an app, find something, copy, paste) into a single entry point.

Raycast at a Glance

What Raycast Can Do (Core Features)

Raycast’s appeal is its breadth. It feels like several standalone apps rolled into one. Here are the main features available on the free plan.

App Launching and File Search

Just like Spotlight, you can quickly search for and open apps and files. In v2, file search works directly from the root search (the first input box), which saves you a step. You can also enable a setting to search inside file contents (text). Raycast announced a major improvement to file search speed in its October 2026 update.

Clipboard History

Raycast keeps a history of the text, images, and links you’ve copied, so you can search and paste them later. When you want to copy three links and paste them all together afterward, you no longer need to jump back and forth between tabs. The free plan keeps history for 3 months, and the Pro plan keeps it with no limit.

I cover this in more detail here → How to Use Raycast Clipboard History: Search Copy History, Paste as Plain Text, and Paste Multiple Items

Snippets (Reusable Text)

You can save things like your email address, mailing address, frequently used replies, or tracking URLs, and expand them just by typing a short keyword. For example, typing ;;mail can insert your email address. On team plans, you can also share snippets with other members.

Because it isn’t tied to a browser extension, you can use snippets in Gmail, while coding, or even while editing video. That’s a big plus!

I cover this in more detail here → How to Use Raycast Snippets: Reusable Text, Keywords, Auto-Expansion, and Dynamic Placeholders

Quicklinks

You can save URLs you open often, or URLs with search parameters (such as the search page of an internal tool), and open them just by typing a name. This helps you stop relying on keeping tabs open all the time.

Window Management

Raycast comes with built-in features for arranging windows into halves, thirds, and other layouts. Since you don’t need a separate window management app, it’s popular with people who want to reduce the number of apps they run. Note that creating your own custom window layout commands is a Pro plan feature.

Other Handy Features

• Calculator, plus unit and currency conversion
• Checking your calendar and creating events
• Searching emoji and symbols
• Searching for text inside screenshots
• Raycast Focus (blocks distracting sites and apps during the time you want to concentrate)
• Raycast Notes (a quick way to jot down notes while you work. Since October 2026, the free plan has no limit on the number of notes and supports pasting images)
• Script Commands (run shell scripts and other scripts from the launcher)
• Hotkeys and aliases (call your favorite commands with your own keys)

Extensions: Control External Services from Your Keyboard

What takes Raycast from “just a powerful search” to the next level is Extensions.

The official Store has thousands of extensions, and with them you can work with services like the following without opening a browser or app:

• Linear and Jira (create, search, and update issues)
• Notion and Obsidian (search and create pages, add notes)
• Slack (change your status, search chats)
• Todoist (view and add tasks)
• 1Password (look up passwords)
• Spotify (control playback)
• Zoom (join a scheduled meeting right away)
• TinyPNG (image compression), CleanShot X (screenshots), and more

Extensions are designed to be built with web development skills (React and TypeScript), so you can create your own custom extensions and even publish them to the Store. Many are community-made, and some are no longer updated, so it’s a good idea to check the last update date before installing one. I’m currently building my own extension too, and it’s under review right now!

Raycast AI: Use AI Inside Your Launcher

Raycast has AI features built right into the launcher. As of November 2026, they’re available on the paid Pro plan.

• Quick AI: Type a question after the shortcut and get an answer right away
• AI Chat: A chat window for longer conversations and drafting. It also supports skills, agents, and a memory feature
• AI Commands: Run actions like “summarize,” “translate,” or “polish the writing” on selected text in a single step
• AI Extensions: Connect AI to tools like Notion and Linear, and have it handle tasks such as “check my tasks and create a task in another app”
• Screen Awareness: Pass the window you currently have open to the AI and ask questions about it

You can choose from models by multiple providers, including OpenAI, Anthropic, and Google. You can also bring your own API key (BYOK), and OpenAI-compatible providers such as OpenRouter and local Ollama are reportedly supported too.

One thing to note: AI usage is managed through AI credits (paid plans moved to this system in September 2026). Each plan includes a monthly credit allowance, and different models consume credits at different rates. Some older review articles describe AI as “unlimited,” but that no longer matches how things work today.

If you don’t use AI, you can turn the AI features off completely in the settings.

Supported Platforms: Mac, Windows, and iPhone

Mac

Raycast was originally built for the Mac, and its main version today is Raycast v2, which left beta in August 2026. It has a refreshed look designed for macOS Tahoe, along with improved file search, a redesigned AI experience, and new features like voice input (Dictation).

According to the official guidance, v2’s system requirements are macOS Tahoe and Apple silicon. If you’re on an earlier version of macOS, you’ll need to update your OS first.

Windows

The Windows version launched in 2026, and it supports app search, file search, extensions, AI chat, and more. Voice input is available on Windows too, and system controls have been added for things like toggling Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, camera mute, and power saving mode. Extensions are designed so that you build one once and it works on both Mac and Windows.

iPhone

The iOS app includes AI chat, Notes, AI Extensions, MCP servers, and more (including integrations with Calendar, Reminders, and Apple Health). In October 2026, a dedicated Raycast iOS keyboard was released, offering voice input, swipe typing, AI commands, snippet expansion, and more.

With the Pro plan’s cloud sync, you can share your settings and snippets across Mac, Windows, and iPhone.

Pricing Overview

Here I’ll just cover the big picture of the plan lineup (as of November 2026).

• Free ($0): Launcher, clipboard history (3 months), snippets, quicklinks, window management, Notes, extensions, building your own extensions, and more
• Pro ($10/month or $96/year): AI features, cloud sync, voice input, translation, custom themes, unlimited clipboard history, and more. Includes 500 AI credits per month
• Higher tiers: Plus ($20/month) and Max ($50/month): More AI credits and access to top-tier AI models
• Teams / Enterprise: Team snippet sharing, organization-level management features, and more

Note that you can’t subscribe to Pro without AI. If you don’t need AI, the free plan may be all you need. New accounts may also be offered a free trial. Pricing can change, so please check the official pricing page before subscribing.

How Raycast Differs from Spotlight and Alfred (In Brief)

• Spotlight (built into Mac): Focused mainly on searching for apps and files. macOS Tahoe added action execution and clipboard history, but there are still gaps in areas like an extension store, AI integration, and snippets
• Alfred: A long-standing Mac launcher. Its strength is advanced automation through workflows, and it’s favored by people who prefer a one-time license purchase. On the other hand, Raycast offers more in AI, cloud sync, and its extension store
• Raycast: An extensible launcher that goes beyond search, handling actions as well through extensions and AI

If file search is your top priority, there’s a persistent view that “Alfred is more accurate.” Raycast improved its search speed in October 2026, but this is an area where preferences vary depending on how you work.

Raycast Pros and Cons

Who Raycast Is For (and Who It Isn’t)

Raycast is a good fit for:

• People who switch between multiple apps and tabs throughout the day
• People who do a lot of copy and paste or enter reusable text (sales, operations, writers, developers, and so on)
• People who want to combine clipboard management, window management, and similar apps into one
• People who use Notion, Slack, Linear, and similar tools every day
• People who want quick access to AI without opening a browser

Raycast may not be a good fit for:

• People who are comfortable working mostly with a mouse and don’t want to use the keyboard more
• People who only need to launch apps and search files (Spotlight may be enough)
• People on an older version of macOS or an Intel Mac who can’t update their setup right away
• People who want to avoid subscriptions and prefer one-time purchases (though the free plan is often enough)

How to Get Started with Raycast

1. Download and install the app from the official website (raycast.com). The Mac version requires macOS Tahoe and Apple silicon
2. During the initial setup, choose your launch shortcut (you can also set it to ⌘ + Space, the same as Spotlight’s default)
3. If you used an earlier version of Raycast, import your settings during onboarding
4. Install extensions for the tools you use regularly from the Store
5. Start by trying out clipboard history and snippets

You don’t need to master everything from the start. I recommend beginning with these three: “Clipboard History,” “Snippets,” and “Window Management.” Once you feel how they cut down your small daily hassles, you can expand into extensions and AI.

Privacy and Security

According to the official FAQ, sensitive data is encrypted and stored locally, and usage and error reports are collected anonymously. When extensions connect to external services, they authenticate with standard OAuth or personal access tokens, and credentials are stored securely in the Keychain.

When you use AI, keep in mind that what you enter is sent to external AI models. If you handle confidential company information, either follow your organization’s rules or turn the AI features off. For companies, there’s also an Enterprise plan that includes AI management and allowlist controls.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Raycast free?

Yes. Core features such as the launcher, clipboard history (3 months), snippets, quicklinks, window management, Notes, and extensions are free. AI, cloud sync, voice input, custom themes, and more are part of the paid Pro plan.

Can I use Raycast for work at my company?

According to the official guidance, the Free and Team plans can be used by organizations as well as individuals. You don’t need to switch to a paid plan just to use the free features for work.

Can I use Raycast on Windows?

Yes. The Windows version launched in 2026. It doesn’t have exactly the same features as the Mac version, but it supports app search, file search, extensions, AI chat, voice input, and more.

Can I use Raycast on iPhone?

Yes. There’s an iOS app. It includes AI chat, Notes, and extensions, and there’s also a dedicated Raycast keyboard.

If I have Spotlight, do I still need Raycast?

If you’re happy with just launching apps and searching files, Spotlight may be enough. If you need long-term clipboard history, snippets, control over external tools, or quick access to AI, Raycast is more convenient.

Will Raycast slow down my Mac?

Since it’s an app that stays running in the background, it does use memory. In October 2026, Raycast released an update that cut idle memory usage by up to 35%, and it continues to work on keeping things lightweight. That said, because v2 was rebuilt under the hood, some people have reported higher usage depending on their setup, so check the release notes if this concerns you.

Do I have to use the AI features?

No. You can turn AI off completely in the settings. If you don’t use AI, the free plan still gives you plenty of features.

Does Raycast work on Linux?

According to the official FAQ, there are currently no plans for a Linux version.

Summary: Raycast Is a Launcher That Cuts Down Your Small Daily Hassles

Here are the key points about Raycast:

1. It’s like a step up from Spotlight, handling not only search but also taking action
2. Core features are free, including clipboard history, snippets, and window management
3. Extensions and AI let you control everyday tools like Notion and Slack from your keyboard alone
4. It supports Mac, Windows, and iPhone, with cloud sync on Pro
5. Mac v2 requires macOS Tahoe and Apple silicon, and AI is a paid feature with a credit-based system

Start by installing the free plan and trying clipboard history and snippets. Once you find yourself thinking “I can’t work without this,” it’s worth considering extensions, AI, and the paid plans.