Everything vs Flow Launcher
Side-by-side comparison of features, pricing, ratings, and alternatives.
Everything is a Windows desktop utility from voidtools that indexes file and folder names across NTFS and ReFS volumes to deliver search results in real time, often before you finish typing. Instead of scanning the disk on demand like Windows Explorer's built-in search, it reads the NTFS Master File Table (or ReFS equivalent) once to build a compact index, then uses the USN/Change Journal to keep that index updated live as files are created, renamed, or deleted.
Flow Launcher is a free, open-source keystroke launcher for Windows that opens with a customizable hotkey (Alt+Space by default) and lets users search for and open apps, files, and folders instantly instead of digging through the Start menu. It also runs web searches through favorite search engines, searches browser bookmarks, executes shell commands, performs quick calculations, and can trigger system commands like restart, sleep, or shutdown. The app is extensible through a plugin store, with community plugins covering services like Spotify, Steam, Obsidian, and GitHub, and developers can build their own plugins in C#, F#, Python, JavaScript, or TypeScript. Because it is fully open source, users can customize themes, animations, and sounds, and the project accepts community sponsorship to support ongoing development.
- Index builds in seconds and search results appear instantly as you type, even across drives with hundreds of thousands of files
- Completely free with no malware, spyware, or adware bundled
- Very low memory and disk footprint compared to typical desktop search indexers
- Powerful query syntax (regex, boolean logic, size/date/type filters) suits power users and scripting via the SDK
- Completely free and open source with an active GitHub community
- Fast, keyboard-driven workflow that reduces reliance on the Start menu
- Extensible plugin ecosystem covering many common apps and services
- Regularly updated with new releases
- Windows-only; there is no native macOS or Linux version
- By default it indexes file and folder names, not file contents, so contents searches are slow since content is not pre-indexed
- NTFS/ReFS real-time indexing requires the Everything service or running as administrator, which some locked-down environments restrict
- Windows 10 and newer only, no Mac or Linux version
- Plugin quality and maintenance varies since many are community-built
- Initial setup of custom plugins/hotkeys has a learning curve for non-technical users
More alternatives & similar tools
Alternatives to Everything
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Scan an entire Windows drive in seconds and see exactly what is eating your disk space.
A free, open-source quick launcher and search bar for Windows, triggered with a hotkey.
Alternatives to Flow Launcher
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The Verdict
AI-generated from listing dataEverything is the go‑to tool for ultra‑fast file‑name searching on Windows, while Flow Launcher is a broader, open‑source launcher for apps, web searches and plugins.
Key differences
- •Everything indexes file and folder names via NTFS/ReFS MFT and offers instant, query‑rich search; Flow Launcher does not index the file system.
- •Flow Launcher provides a plugin ecosystem and can launch apps, run commands, and search web/bookmarks; Everything focuses solely on file/folder lookup.
- •Everything includes an SDK/API for developers; Flow Launcher has no public API.
- •Everything is a closed‑source freeware with community forums; Flow Launcher is fully open‑source on GitHub with community contributions.
- •Flow Launcher requires Windows 10+ and a hotkey to activate; Everything runs as a background service on any supported Windows version.
Pricing & value
Both are free of charge; value depends on whether you need pure file search (Everything) or a launcher with plugins (Flow).
Ease of use / learning curve
Everything works out‑of‑the‑box for file name search; Flow Launcher requires hotkey setup and plugin learning.
Features & depth
Flow Launcher offers app launching, web search, bookmark/history lookup, and extensible plugins beyond file search.
Integrations & ecosystem
Flow Launcher has a plugin store supporting many services; Everything only provides its own SDK.
Support
Everything provides community forums, FAQ and offline docs; Flow Launcher relies on GitHub issues and community contributions.
Security & privacy
Everything is closed‑source but explicitly states no malware/spyware; Flow Launcher is open‑source, allowing code audit.
Scalability
Everything indexes millions of files with low RAM (~35 MB) and real‑time updates; Flow Launcher does not index the file system.
Choose Everything if…
Windows power users needing instant, query‑rich file‑name search across large drives.
Choose Flow Launcher if…
Users who want a keyboard‑driven launcher with extensible plugins for apps, web, and system commands.
Common questions
Can either tool search file contents?
Everything indexes only names; content searches are slow and not its primary function. Flow Launcher does not provide content search.
Is there an API for automation?
Everything offers a free SDK/API; Flow Launcher does not provide a public API.
Which tool supports extending functionality with third‑party plugins?
Flow Launcher has a plugin store and supports plugins written in multiple languages; Everything’s extensibility is limited to its SDK.