# smolcast vs Keypirinha

Keypirinha is fast, portable and scriptable in Python, but its last release was in 2020. smolcast is new and still shipping.

Updated 23 Oct 2026. Checked against [keypirinha.com](https://keypirinha.com/) (v2.26, released November 2020). [Sources](https://smolcast.evanlee.engineer/compare/keypirinha#sources)

## smolcast

Open source

- Free
- Open source
- 7 MB
- Actively developed

**Best for** a launcher that still ships updates

## Keypirinha

Independent project

- Freeware
- Portable
- Python plugins
- Last release 2020

**Best for** a portable, scriptable launcher

[Get Keypirinha](https://keypirinha.com/?ref=smolcast)

## Feature by feature

Bold marks where smolcast comes out ahead, and only where the other side publishes the fact.

|  | smolcast | Keypirinha |
| --- | --- | --- |
| **The basics** |  |  |
| Price | Free | Freeware |
| Source | **Open source (MIT)** (the better pick) | Freeware; source not published |
| Runs on | Windows 11 | Windows |
| Account | None | None |
| Default hotkey | `Ctrl`+`Alt`+`Space` | Not published |
| **Features** |  |  |
| Clipboard history | Built in (Text and images. Encrypted on disk) | Not listed |
| Snippets | Built in (Find by name or keyword. No auto-expand) | Not listed |
| Emoji picker | Built in (Every emoji, in color) | Not listed |
| File search | Built in (Through Windows Search) | Built in |
| Calculator | Built in (Units too. Enter pastes) | Built in |
| Quicklinks | Built in (Keywords with {query}) | Web search |
| Extensions | No (Scripts and quicklinks instead) | Python plugins |
| AI | No | Not listed |
| Window management | No | Switch to a running app |
| **Under the hood** |  |  |
| Download | 7 MB, one .exe (No installer) | Installer or portable (Size not published) |
| Idle | 0% CPU while hidden | Not published |
| Privacy | No telemetry ([One daily update check](https://smolcast.evanlee.engineer/privacy), can be turned off) | See its site |

## Pick the one that fits

### Go with smolcast if

- You want a launcher that’s still getting updates
- You want clipboard, emoji and snippets built in
- You want open source
- You want unit conversions

### Go with Keypirinha if

- You want a portable launcher
- You want to write plugins in Python
- You want to switch to running apps by name

[Get Keypirinha](https://keypirinha.com/?ref=smolcast)

Two plugin launchers that still ship updates: [smolcast vs Flow Launcher](https://smolcast.evanlee.engineer/compare/flow-launcher) and [smolcast vs Wox](https://smolcast.evanlee.engineer/compare/wox).

## Coming from Keypirinha

- Web searchesQuicklinks with a `{query}` URL
- Python pluginsTracked script files: a `.py` runs with its arguments and an optional hotkey
- Portablesmolcast is one .exe in any folder you can write to; settings live in `%APPDATA%`

## Try smolcast

- Windows 11, x64
- 7 MB
- Free and open source

[Download](https://github.com/Archetypically/smolcast/releases/latest)

## More comparisons

- [All the launchers, side by sideCompare](https://smolcast.evanlee.engineer/compare/)
- [smolcast vs Raycast for WindowsCompare](https://smolcast.evanlee.engineer/compare/raycast)
- [smolcast vs PowerToys Command PaletteCompare](https://smolcast.evanlee.engineer/compare/powertoys-command-palette)
- [smolcast vs Flow LauncherCompare](https://smolcast.evanlee.engineer/compare/flow-launcher)
- [smolcast vs TinycastCompare](https://smolcast.evanlee.engineer/compare/tinycast)
- [smolcast vs Fluent SearchCompare](https://smolcast.evanlee.engineer/compare/fluent-search)
- [smolcast vs ListaryCompare](https://smolcast.evanlee.engineer/compare/listary)
- [smolcast vs WoxCompare](https://smolcast.evanlee.engineer/compare/wox)
- [smolcast vs AlfredCompare](https://smolcast.evanlee.engineer/compare/alfred)
- [smolcast vs UeliCompare](https://smolcast.evanlee.engineer/compare/ueli)
- [What smolcast keeps on your PCPrivacy](https://smolcast.evanlee.engineer/privacy)

## Sources

1.  smolcast, main branch: [github.com/Archetypically/smolcast](https://github.com/Archetypically/smolcast)
2.  Keypirinha 2.26: [keypirinha.com](https://keypirinha.com/)
3.  Keypirinha releases: [github.com/Keypirinha](https://github.com/Keypirinha/Keypirinha/releases)

Checked against these versions on 23 Oct 2026, which is also when this page was last updated. Found something stale? [Open an issue](https://github.com/Archetypically/smolcast/issues).

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The markdown version of https://smolcast.evanlee.engineer/compare/keypirinha