# smolcast vs Listary

Listary finds files and points Open and Save dialogs straight at them. smolcast launches apps and pastes from clipboard history, emoji and snippets.

Updated 23 Oct 2026. Checked against [listary.com](https://www.listary.com/), its Pro page and its help. [Sources](https://smolcast.evanlee.engineer/compare/listary#sources)

## smolcast

Open source

- Free
- Open source
- 7 MB
- Launcher first

**Best for** a launcher with clipboard, emoji and snippets

## Listary

Little Carved

- Free + Pro $19.95
- Files first
- Quick Switch
- Double Ctrl

**Best for** finding files and taming Open and Save dialogs

[Get Listary](https://www.listary.com/?ref=smolcast)

## Feature by feature

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

|  | smolcast | Listary |
| --- | --- | --- |
| **The basics** |  |  |
| Price | Free | Free; Pro $19.95 once |
| Source | **Open source (MIT)** (the better pick) | Source not published |
| Runs on | Windows 11 | Windows |
| Account | None | Not published |
| Default hotkey | `Ctrl`+`Alt`+`Space` | Double-tap Ctrl |
| **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 (Its core, plus Quick Switch for dialogs) |
| Calculator | Built in (Units too. Enter pastes) | Not listed |
| Quicklinks | Built in (Keywords with {query}) | Web search |
| Extensions | No (Scripts and quicklinks instead) | Not listed |
| AI | No | Not listed |
| Window management | No | Not listed |
| **Under the hood** |  |  |
| Download | 7 MB, one .exe (No installer) | Installer (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 policy |

## Pick the one that fits

### Go with smolcast if

- You want a launcher with clipboard, emoji and snippets
- You want a calculator with unit conversions
- You want everything free and open source
- You want one small .exe

### Go with Listary if

- You mostly search for files
- You want Open and Save dialogs to jump to your folders
- You like double-tapping Ctrl
- You need network-drive indexing (Pro)

[Get Listary](https://www.listary.com/?ref=smolcast)

For one search over files, tabs and windows, see [smolcast vs Fluent Search](https://smolcast.evanlee.engineer/compare/fluent-search); for Everything’s index in a launcher, [smolcast vs Flow Launcher](https://smolcast.evanlee.engineer/compare/flow-launcher).

## Coming from Listary

- File searchSearch Files: type, then Enter opens and Ctrl+Enter shows it in Explorer
- Web searchQuicklinks with a `{query}` URL, and a web search row after every query
- Hotkey`Ctrl`+`Alt`+`Space` by default, so it won’t clash with double Ctrl

## 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 WoxCompare](https://smolcast.evanlee.engineer/compare/wox)
- [smolcast vs AlfredCompare](https://smolcast.evanlee.engineer/compare/alfred)
- [smolcast vs KeypirinhaCompare](https://smolcast.evanlee.engineer/compare/keypirinha)
- [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.  Listary site: [listary.com](https://www.listary.com/)
3.  Listary Pro: [listary.com/pro](https://www.listary.com/pro)
4.  Listary hotkeys: [help.listary.com](https://help.listary.com/hotkeys)

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/listary