Download Raycast 2026: Free Install Guide for Mac & Windows

Looking to download Raycast? You're in the right place. Raycast is the most powerful launcher and productivity tool available for macOS — and now Windows — and the base app is completely free. This guide walks you through exactly where to download it, how to install it on your system, and what to configure first so you're productive from minute one.

Whether you're on an M4 MacBook Pro or an older Intel iMac, the process is straightforward. I'll also cover the Windows beta, common installation issues, and what you get for free versus what requires Raycast Pro. If you want the full story on what Raycast actually does before downloading, check out our complete guide to Raycast.

Where to Download Raycast (Official Source Only)

The only safe place to download Raycast is the official website: raycast.com. There is no Mac App Store listing — Raycast distributes directly through their site to avoid App Store sandboxing restrictions that would limit the app's functionality.

Do not download Raycast from third-party download sites, torrent links, or unofficial mirrors. The official download is code-signed and notarized by Apple, which means macOS verifies its authenticity before allowing it to run. Third-party copies could be tampered with and compromise your system.

The download page automatically detects your operating system and offers the correct version. For macOS, you'll get a universal .dmg file that works on both Apple Silicon and Intel. For Windows, you'll get the beta installer.

macOS System Requirements

Before you download Raycast, make sure your Mac meets these requirements:

• macOS 12.0 (Monterey) or later — Raycast won't run on Big Sur, Catalina, or earlier
• Apple Silicon (M1, M2, M3, M4) or Intel processor — the app ships as a universal binary
• ~150MB of disk space — the app is lightweight
• Accessibility permission — required for window management and text detection
• Automation permission — required for controlling other apps via extensions

Not sure which macOS version you're running? Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner of your screen and select About This Mac. Your macOS version and chip type are displayed right at the top.

Apple Silicon vs Intel: What You Need to Know

Raycast ships a single universal binary, so you don't need to choose between Apple Silicon and Intel versions. The .dmg you download contains both architectures. macOS automatically runs the native version for your chip.

On Apple Silicon Macs (M1 and later), Raycast launches nearly instantly — under 100ms in most cases. On Intel Macs, it's slightly slower but still fast enough that you won't notice any lag. There's no Rosetta translation involved; both versions are fully native.

How to Install Raycast on macOS (Step-by-Step)

Here's the complete installation process:

1. Download the .dmg file from raycast.com. It's roughly 80MB and downloads in seconds on a decent connection.
2. Open the .dmg file by double-clicking it. A Finder window appears with the Raycast app icon and an Applications folder shortcut.
3. Drag Raycast to Applications — drop the icon onto the Applications folder. This copies the app to your system.
4. Eject the .dmg by right-clicking the Raycast disk image on your desktop and selecting Eject. You can delete the .dmg file from your Downloads folder after this.
5. Open Raycast from your Applications folder (or use Spotlight to search "Raycast" and launch it). macOS may show a dialog confirming you want to open an app downloaded from the internet — click Open.
6. Grant permissions when prompted. Raycast will ask for Accessibility access (System Settings → Privacy & Security → Accessibility). It may also request Automation permissions for specific apps. Grant these — they're necessary for core functionality.
7. Complete the onboarding — Raycast walks you through a brief setup wizard that covers the basics of the command palette, how to trigger it, and optional initial configuration.

The entire process takes about two minutes. Once installed, Raycast runs in the background and is accessible via its hotkey (default: Option+Space, though most users remap this to Cmd+Space after disabling Spotlight).

Initial Setup: First 5 Things to Configure

Once Raycast is installed, these are the configurations that matter most. For the full deep-dive, see our complete Raycast setup guide.

1. Remap the Hotkey (Replace Spotlight)

Raycast defaults to Option+Space, but Cmd+Space is the muscle memory most people have for launching apps. To swap: go to System Settings → Keyboard → Keyboard Shortcuts → Spotlight, uncheck "Show Spotlight search," then open Raycast Settings → General and set the hotkey to Cmd+Space.

2. Enable Clipboard History

Open Raycast Settings → Extensions → Clipboard History and assign a global hotkey (I use Cmd+Shift+V). This single feature replaces dedicated clipboard manager apps and is one of the most useful things Raycast offers for free.

3. Install Your First Extensions

Search "Store" in the Raycast command palette to browse the extension marketplace. Start with 3–5 extensions you'll actually use daily. Our best Raycast extensions guide covers the top picks for developers, but popular starting points include GitHub, Brew, Color Picker, and Kill Process.

4. Set Up Window Management

Raycast includes built-in window management that can replace apps like Rectangle or Magnet. Go to Settings → Extensions → Window Management and assign hotkeys for left half, right half, maximize, and center. I use Ctrl+Option+Arrow keys — it becomes second nature within a day.

5. Import Settings (If Migrating)

If you're migrating from another Mac or reinstalling, Raycast can import settings from a backup file. Go to Settings → Advanced → Import and select your exported .rayconfig file. If you're a Pro subscriber, Cloud Sync handles this automatically across devices.

Windows Beta: How to Download Raycast for Windows

Raycast launched its Windows beta in late 2025, bringing the launcher experience to Windows 10 and 11. You can download the Windows installer from raycast.com — the site detects your OS and shows the correct download button.

The Windows version supports core features including the command palette, clipboard history, snippets, quicklinks, and AI commands (with Pro). Extension support is still growing — not all macOS extensions are available on Windows yet, but the team is actively porting them.

A few things to note about the Windows beta:

• Windows 10 (build 1903+) or Windows 11 is required
• The default hotkey is Alt+Space
• Some extensions are macOS-only and won't appear in the Windows Store
• Performance and stability are still being refined — expect occasional rough edges
• Bug reports can be submitted directly through the app

If you're primarily a Windows user curious about Raycast, it's worth trying. The core launcher experience is already solid, and it's improving with every update.

Free vs Pro: What's Included in the Download

When you download Raycast, you get the full free tier immediately. No account required, no trial period, no feature gates on the basics. Here's how the free and Pro plans compare:

The free tier is genuinely generous. Most users can go months — or indefinitely — without needing Pro. The features that typically push people to upgrade are AI commands (system-wide AI that works with selected text in any app) and Cloud Sync (automatic settings backup across devices). If you decide to upgrade, the best current deal is 80% off with a free trial.

Common Installation Issues and Fixes

"Raycast can't be opened because Apple cannot check it for malicious software"

This happens if Gatekeeper blocks the app. Right-click (or Control+click) the Raycast app in your Applications folder and select Open. This bypasses the warning for that specific app. You'll only need to do this once. If the issue persists, go to System Settings → Privacy & Security, scroll down, and click "Open Anyway."

Accessibility Permission Not Working

If Raycast says it needs Accessibility access but you've already granted it, try removing and re-adding it. Go to System Settings → Privacy & Security → Accessibility, find Raycast in the list, toggle it off, then toggle it back on. You may need to restart Raycast after this.

Raycast Doesn't Launch at Startup

Open Raycast Settings → General and make sure Start at Login is checked. If it still doesn't work, go to System Settings → General → Login Items and verify Raycast appears in the list. If not, add it manually by clicking the + button and selecting Raycast from Applications.

Hotkey Conflict with Another App

If your chosen hotkey doesn't work, another app is likely claiming it. Common culprits: Spotlight (Cmd+Space), Alfred (Option+Space), and various screenshot tools. Check System Settings → Keyboard → Keyboard Shortcuts for system-level conflicts, and review the preferences of other launcher apps to free up the shortcut.

Updating Raycast

Raycast updates itself automatically. When a new version is available, a subtle notification appears in the app. You can also manually check by searching "Check for Updates" in the command palette. Updates are incremental and download in the background — you won't experience any downtime.

Raycast ships updates frequently, often weekly. These include bug fixes, performance improvements, new built-in features, and improvements to the extension API. There's no need to re-download from the website for regular updates.

Uninstalling Raycast

If you ever need to remove Raycast, it's a clean process:

1. Quit Raycast (right-click the menu bar icon and select Quit, or search "Quit Raycast" in the command palette)
2. Drag Raycast from your Applications folder to the Trash
3. Optionally, remove support files from ~/Library/Application Support/com.raycast.macos and ~/Library/Preferences/com.raycast.macos.plist

Raycast doesn't leave kernel extensions, background daemons, or other hard-to-remove artifacts. It's a well-behaved macOS citizen.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Raycast free to download?

Yes. Raycast is completely free to download and use. The free tier includes the launcher, all community extensions, clipboard history (30 days), snippets, quicklinks, window management, and file search. Raycast Pro is a paid upgrade that adds AI commands, cloud sync, custom themes, and unlimited clipboard history.

What are the system requirements for Raycast on Mac?

Raycast requires macOS 12.0 (Monterey) or later. It runs natively on both Apple Silicon (M1, M2, M3, M4) and Intel Macs. The app uses minimal resources — typically under 100MB of RAM — and launches nearly instantly.

Can I download Raycast on Windows?

Yes. Raycast launched a Windows beta in late 2025. You can download it from raycast.com. The Windows version is still catching up to the macOS version in terms of extensions, but core features like the launcher, clipboard history, and AI commands are available.

Is Raycast safe to download?

Yes. Raycast is a legitimate, well-funded productivity company. The app is code-signed and notarized by Apple. Always download from the official site (raycast.com) to avoid tampered copies. The accessibility and automation permissions it requests are standard for launcher apps on macOS.

Does Raycast work on Apple Silicon and Intel Macs?

Yes. Raycast ships as a universal binary that runs natively on both Apple Silicon (M1, M2, M3, M4) and Intel-based Macs. There's no performance difference — the app detects your architecture automatically and runs the optimized version. No Rosetta translation is involved.