James Mitchell
The Launcher Mac Didn't Want to Share
If you work with your keyboard more than your mouse, you've probably heard of Raycast. For five years, it was an exclusive secret of the Apple ecosystem: an app launcher that replaced Spotlight and turned any Mac into a pure productivity machine. The numbers speak for themselves: with over 2,000 extensions, $47.8 million in funding, and backing from investors like Y Combinator and Accel, Raycast was no garage project.
But in November 2025, everything changed. Raycast opened its public beta on Windows, and by January 2026, it's already at version 0.41. I've been testing it for weeks, and I can confirm what PCWorld already reported: "it totally changed how I use my PC."
What Raycast Is and Why It Matters
Raycast is a keyboard launcher. Press Alt+Space, a minimalist search bar opens, and from there you can do virtually anything: launch apps, search files, manage your clipboard, move windows, run calculations, expand text snippets, query an AI, or run any of the 2,000+ extensions available.
The gap between this and the Windows Start menu or native search is massive. While Windows Search indexes slowly and serves irrelevant results (Bing ads in local search, really?), Raycast built its own file indexer from scratch. The result: instant searches without relying on the Windows indexing service.
As How-To Geek put it: "Raycast isn't about finding a thing — it's about finding a thing, doing something with it, and immediately getting back to what you were working on."
The 7 Features You Can Already Use on Windows
1. Ultra-Fast File Search
Raycast's custom indexer is dramatically faster than Windows Search. It scans in real time, shows results instantly, and doesn't need the Windows indexing service running. If you've ever struggled to find a file on your PC, this feature alone justifies the installation.
2. Clipboard History
Everything you copy — text, images, files, links, colors — is saved and searchable. You can pin favorites, rename entries, and access everything with a keyboard shortcut. It's like having infinite memory for Ctrl+C.
3. Window Management
Without installing anything extra, you can organize windows into halves, thirds, or two-thirds of the screen using keyboard shortcuts. It fully replaces tools like PowerToys FancyZones for most users.
4. Snippets With Auto-Expansion
Define abbreviations that automatically expand into full text. Type ;email and it replaces with your full address. Perfect for email templates, code blocks, or frequent replies.
5. Built-In Calculator
Type any math expression directly in the launcher and get instant results. Press Enter to copy to clipboard. Supports unit conversions and complex operations. The PCWorld reviewer called it "my most-used feature."
6. Quick AI (Free During Beta)
Press Tab inside the launcher and access a conversational AI powered by GPT-5 mini. Ask questions, summarize text, or generate content without opening a browser. During the Windows beta, this feature is completely free.
7. Over 2,000 Extensions
The extension ecosystem is where Raycast truly shines. There are integrations with GitHub, Jira, Slack, Notion, Linear, Figma, Docker, AWS, VS Code, and hundreds more. Extensions are built with React and TypeScript, and JavaScript-based ones work on both macOS and Windows.
Pricing: What's Free and What's Not
The numbers speak for themselves about Raycast's business model:
| Plan | Monthly | Annual | What's Included |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | $0 | All core features, 50 AI messages, bring your own API key |
| Pro | $10/mo | $8/mo ($96/yr) | Advanced AI models, unlimited AI, Cloud Sync, custom themes |
| Pro + Advanced AI | $20/mo | ~$16/mo | Access to Claude 4.5 Opus, GPT-4, premium models |
| Teams | $15/user/mo | $12/user/mo | Shared snippets, extensions, and team quicklinks |
The key takeaway: the features that most impact daily productivity — search, clipboard, windows, snippets, calculator — are completely free. AI is the main hook for paid plans, though Quick AI is free during the Windows beta.
Students get a 50% discount on the Pro plan.
Raycast vs PowerToys: The Inevitable Comparison
Microsoft hasn't been standing still. PowerToys has its own Command Palette and tools like FancyZones, Keyboard Manager, and Advanced Paste. But a direct comparison reveals clear differences:
| Aspect | Raycast | PowerToys |
|---|---|---|
| Built-in AI | Yes (GPT-5, Claude, Gemini) | No |
| Extensions | 2,000+ with curated store | Growing, less mature |
| Interface | WinUI 3, native Fluent Design | Functional but less polished |
| Clipboard | Full history with search | Advanced Paste (more limited) |
| Window Management | Integrated in launcher | FancyZones (more powerful for complex layouts) |
| Source Code | Proprietary | Open source |
| Price | Freemium ($0-20/mo) | Free |
| Cross-platform | macOS + Windows | Windows only |
If you value open source and don't need AI, PowerToys is a solid, free option. If you want an all-in-one experience with AI and a massive extension ecosystem, Raycast has the clear advantage.
Other alternatives like Flow Launcher (open source, solid plugin ecosystem) and Listary ($20 lifetime license) also deserve consideration, especially for those who prefer subscription-free solutions.
What's Still Missing on Windows
The beta is impressive, but some features haven't arrived from macOS yet:
- Full AI Chat (conversations with file and screen context)
- Cloud Sync (settings synchronization across devices)
- Raycast Notes
- Calendar integration
- Some macOS-specific extensions (like Spotify)
Raycast has been updating aggressively: from v0.38 in November to v0.41 in January, with 4x performance improvements for extension launches (v0.39) and a new Run command replacing Win+R (v0.41).
Who Should Install Raycast (And Who Shouldn't)
Yes, install it if:
- You're a developer who lives on the keyboard (GitHub, Docker, VS Code extensions)
- You hate Windows Search and want instant file results
- You're coming from Mac and want the same experience on PC
- You use snippets, advanced clipboard, or window management daily
- You want to try desktop-integrated AI at no cost
It might not be for you if:
- You prefer mouse-driven interfaces
- You need a 100% open-source solution (check out Flow Launcher)
- You already have PowerToys configured and you're happy with it
- You're concerned about relying on a startup for your daily workflow
If you're interested in exploring other productivity tools for developers, check out our AI editor comparison: Cursor vs Windsurf vs Zed or our guide to Notion with mobile AI.
Final Verdict
Raycast on Windows isn't a stripped-down version of the macOS product — it's a serious adaptation that already includes the most important features. The custom file indexer, clipboard history, window management, and 2,000+ extensions make this beta more complete than many "finished" apps on the market.
The free tier is generous, AI during the beta is a welcome bonus, and the update pace suggests missing features will arrive soon. Is it perfect? No. It's still a beta, and the freemium model raises legitimate questions about the future of free features.
But the numbers speak for themselves: if you work on Windows and want to be more productive with your keyboard, Raycast is the most complete tool available in January 2026. Installation is free and takes less than a minute. There's no excuse not to try it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Raycast for Windows free?
Yes. Core features (search, clipboard, windows, snippets, calculator, extensions) are free. Only advanced AI and Cloud Sync require the Pro plan ($8/mo annually). During the beta, basic Quick AI is also free.
Does Raycast replace PowerToys?
It can replace several PowerToys features (Run, FancyZones, Advanced Paste), but not all. PowerToys includes additional tools like Color Picker, Image Resizer, and Keyboard Manager that Raycast doesn't have. Both can coexist without issues.
What AI models does Raycast support?
Raycast supports models from OpenAI (GPT-5.2, GPT-4.1, o3), Anthropic (Claude 4.5 Opus, Claude 4 Sonnet), Google (Gemini), Perplexity, Mistral, Meta (Llama 4), and more. The free plan includes GPT-5 mini; premium models require Pro or bringing your own API key.
Does it work on Windows 10?
Yes. Raycast is compatible with Windows 10 (version 21H2 or later) and Windows 11.
Do macOS extensions work on Windows?
JavaScript and TypeScript-based extensions work on both platforms. Those using Apple-specific APIs (like Spotify or Apple Music) are only available on macOS for now.
