Alfred
Running with Crayons Ltd.
Alfred is a productivity application for macOS that boosts your efficiency with hotkeys, keywords, text expansion and more. Search your Mac and the web, and be more productive with custom workflows.
User Sentiments
Top Likes
- Extensive customization and workflows
- Fast and efficient search
- Hotkeys and shortcuts
- Clipboard history and text expansion
- Integration with other services
Top Dislikes
- Powerpack required for advanced features
- Steep learning curve for workflows
- Can be overwhelming for new users
- Price of Powerpack for some users
Popular Comments
Medium - Shrishty Chandra
2022-08-01
I am a Linux person and for some reason, I find the Mac UI clumsy and hard to manage. Then I discovered Alfred which honestly changed my life and there is not a single day where I don't use Alfred and now I can't move away from Mac because there is no Alfred in other operating systems!
Mac App Store User - Reviews Section
2012-05-01
Alfred takes the wonderful spirit of the freeware Quicksilver (a powerful application) and makes it easy for all of us. The incredible speed of the app led me to upgrade it and I could not be happier about money spent.
G2.com User
2025
I really like how many different things you can do when using Alfred. I especially love that I can do math calculations right in the pop up.
Capterra User
2025
One of my favorite feature is pasteboard history, which lets you reuse the last n things you copied to the pasteboard. Another feature I like are the workflows, which can help to speed up some tasks.
Reddit User - vitor
2018-05-08
There are no subscription prices for Alfred. The prices are one-time and last for the duration of each major version. When a new major version is released, there's usually a discounted upgrade pricing for current users.
MacUpdate User
2025
Alfred saves you time when you search for files online or on your Mac. Be more productive with hotkeys, keywords, and file actions at your fingertips.
Detailed Review
Alfred is a highly-regarded productivity application designed exclusively for macOS. It elevates the standard Spotlight search by offering a wide array of features aimed at enhancing user efficiency. Beyond basic file and application launching, Alfred provides functionalities like web searching, system commands, clipboard history, text expansion, and powerful workflow automation (with the paid Powerpack). Its customizability and extensibility make it a favorite among Mac power users seeking to streamline their daily tasks and interactions with their computers.
Standout Features
- Advanced Search: Quickly locate files, applications, folders, and even bookmarks on your Mac with intelligent and fast search capabilities.
- Web Search & Bookmarks: Initiate web searches across various platforms and directly access your Safari and Chrome bookmarks.
- System Control: Manage your macOS directly from Alfred with commands for system functions, application management, and more.
- Workflows (Powerpack Feature): Automate complex tasks using a visual workflow editor, integrating with various apps and scripts for custom actions.
- Clipboard History (Powerpack Feature): Keep track of and easily access previously copied text and images, enhancing productivity when dealing with multiple pieces of information.
- Text Expansion (Powerpack Feature): Create and use text snippets for frequently typed phrases, saving time and reducing repetitive typing.
Conclusion
Alfred is a robust tool that significantly boosts productivity on macOS. While the free version offers substantial improvements over Spotlight with features like quick search and web commands, the Powerpack unlocks its full potential with workflows, clipboard history, and text expansion. It is an excellent investment for users who want to deeply customize their Mac experience and automate repetitive tasks. However, users content with basic search functionalities might find the free version sufficient, while those intimidated by complex setups might explore simpler alternatives before diving into Alfred's advanced features.
