∞ Dave Caolo reviews Alfred

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I’ve been using Alfred for many months. On the surface it’s an app launcher, and that’s how I use it most of the time. After assigning a hotkey combination (I chose Command-Space), its main window is only a tap away. From there, start typing the name of the app you’re after and hit Return to launch it. But that’s just the beginning. Here are some of the other useful tasks Alfred performs for me (note that some require the Powerpack, which is a separate purchase).

I must admit, Spotlight has served my needs well over the years, but some people like more functionality.


  • Walt

    Yes, spotlight handles that for me too. A simple what? Command space tap. Begin typing and Boom. It’s there. 1p brings up 1Password, for example.

    • http://www.loopinsight.com Jim Dalrymple

      Yeah, that’s my use. And searching for documents, which it always finds.

      • http://www.basilweb.net Anonymous

        Also, my wife finds the new preview available through spotlight very useful. I guess technically it’s called quicklook?

        • http://www.loopinsight.com Jim Dalrymple

          I don’t use that much. I usually know what I’m looking for, so I don’t bother previewing it.

  • http://www.yourmaclifeshow.com/ Shawn King

    For me, Spotlight has refused to work under Lion. I’ve tried on several occasions to get it to index my drive. The latest attempt was yesterday. Spotlight reports “about three hours remaining” to index my drive – that was 24 hours ago.

    So I appreciate any app that can let me eliminate my screwed up Spotlight.

    • http://twitter.com/johnwhitley John Whitley

      I don’t have detailed knowledge of Alfred, but many apps that employ search like functionality on OS X depend on the same metadata indexing facilities that Spotlight uses (why reindex the system two or more times?)  Also, you may have corrupted files that are breaking the Spotlight indexer, rather than a problem with a corrupted index.  Do a web search on “fix Spotlight” to find some articles that may help you troubleshoot and resolve this.

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Kyle-Sloan/505713370 Kyle Sloan

    Never used alfred but I’ve been using quicksilver for a long time and can’t live without it now.  Does app launching, address browsing, insta-send email with attached file, clipboard history.

    Looking over alfreds website, the features do seem to overlap much with quicksilver.  Quicksilver also has many plugins for different apps you might already ahve.

    http://qsapp.com/

  • http://godlikenerd.com/ Derik

    I still think LaunchBar is the best, after probably 5 years at least now.