LeaderKey: The Fastest macOS Launcher Yet?

I have a rather storied history with using launchers in macOS. Over the past three decades, I’ve used them all: QuickSilver, LaunchBar, Alfred, SpotLight and Raycast. Each has its own benefits and limitations. As a power user, I’ve settled on Raycast.

So when I came across developer Mikkel Malmberg’s LeaderKey, which touts itself as “the faster than your launcher launcher”, I admit I was more than a bit curious.

After all: how much faster can a macOS launcher really be? I’ve used them all, and they seem to be pretty fast. But I’m here to report that LeaderKey is even faster, if you don’t mind using keyboard shortcuts.

LeaderKey works by way of a user trigger in the form of a custom keyboard shortcut. This is precisely how other macOS launchers also work. For example, to invoke Apple’s built-in launcher (Spotlight), the user must tap the Command+Spacebar keys in rapid succession. LeaderKey makes use of a custom keyboard trigger, but that’s where the similarities end.

In this clip, I’m using Raycast to launch the Orion web browser. After using the trigger (Command+space), I type in the first few letters of the browser name, and Orion appears in the filtered list. Selecting it and hitting return launches the application.

Launching an application using a conventional macOS launcher works something like this:

Invoke the launcher using a custom keyboard shortcut
Enter the first one or two letters of the application to see the filtered options
Hit Enter or Return to launch the selected application

Opening a specific folder using a conventional launcher is a bit more tricky, if your tool of choice supports that capability. In Raycast, for example, I can either type in the absolute path to the folder to open it, or I can use Raycast’s search feature to find the folder locally. Both methods are workable, but more time-consuming.

LeaderKey is ideal for launching your most frequently used applications and folders.

In LeaderKey, I have assigned specific keyboard shortcuts for each of the applications and folders I use on a regular basis. For example, I have the keystroke “S” set to launch Safari.

LeaderKey works best when you know the specific app you want to launch. To launch Eagle, I first invoke LeaderKey, hit “a” for the Applications group,. The Application cheatsheet will appear. Then hit “g” (the keystroke for Eagle). Eagle launches.

To launch Safari in LeaderKey, I would do the following:

Invoke LeaderKey with a trigger (I use Control-X)
Type in the letter S and hit Return

In my workflow, the Application group is assigned to the keystroke “a”, and Photoshop is assigned to “p”. Launching Photoshop in my LeaderKey workflow would look something like:

Invoke LeaderKey (Control-X)
Type “a” (shows the Applications group). The Applications cheatsheet will appear.
Type “p” (launches Photoshop)

Unlike other launchers, LeaderKey skips the “Search” entirely and delivers exactly what you want. It’s blazing fast, once you have your keystrokes set up.

Opening specific folder favorites is fast with LeaderKey. Invoke the LeaderKey trigger, type “f”, to see the Folders cheatsheet. From there, press “W” to launch the Wallpapers folder.

LeaderKey makes accessing specific folders super fast, with no trip to the Finder needed. In LeaderKey, I have a Folder group assigned to the keystroke “f”. Within that folder group, I have assigned the “w” keystroke to open my Wallpaper folder. To access the Wallpaper folder in LeaderKey, I would do the following:

Invoke LeaderKey
Type “f” (shows the Folder group cheatsheet)
Type “w” (shows the Wallpaper folder)

LeaderKey’s preferences are important. With it you can assign custom keystrokes for your favorite applications / folders.

LeaderKey gives users advanced options to control the Cheatsheet’s delay, as well as saving your LeaderKey preferences..

LeaderKey includes several appearance options. You can even customize the delay before a grouped list appears.

LeaderKey is not for everyone, especially those who are not interested or familiar with learning and using keyboard shortcuts. If you’re new to the Mac, or if you’re not as familiar with macOS, I recommend sticking with the built-in Spotlight (or Alfred). But if you fancy yourself a Mac power user and you revel with delight in using keyboard shortcuts, LeaderKey is an insta-install. LeaderKey is free, so you can try it out for yourself. Using LeaderKey does not mean you can’t use your favorite launcher. Plus, you can use both (like I do).

Ultimately, I’ve found that LeaderKey hasn’t completely replaced Raycast. I’m currently using a hybrid workflow using both launchers. I use LeaderKey when I know the specific application / folder I want to specifically launch. I use Raycast for launching apps / folders I use less frequently.

LeaderKey is currently at version 1.13.0 and is available for free under the MIT license. Does LeaderKey live up to its billing as the fastest launcher in macOS? For a macOS keyboard shortcut aficionado like myself, absolutely.