Raycast for Windows 2026: Everything You Need to Know

For years, the most common question in the Raycast community was: “When is Raycast coming to Windows?” The answer is finally here. Raycast launched its Windows beta in late 2025, and as of early 2026, Windows users can download and use the launcher that macOS developers have been raving about.

If you’re searching for Raycast for Windows, wondering whether you can download it today, or looking for the best Windows alternatives, this guide covers everything. We’ll break down what’s available, what’s missing, and how the Windows version stacks up against the macOS original.

New to Raycast entirely? Check out our complete guide to what Raycast is before diving in.

Raycast Windows Beta: Current Status in 2026

Raycast officially opened its Windows beta to the public in Q4 2025. The team had been building the Windows version from the ground up — not just a port, but a native Windows application designed to feel right at home on the platform.

Here’s where things stand as of March 2026:

• Availability: Public beta, free to download from raycast.com
• System requirements: Windows 10 (version 1903+) or Windows 11
• Pro features: Fully supported — your subscription works cross-platform
• Extension store: Partially available, with new extensions being ported regularly
• Default hotkey: Alt + Space (configurable)

The core Raycast experience is intact. You get the fast command palette, built-in calculator, clipboard history, snippet expansion, and — critically — the AI features that make Raycast Pro so compelling. If you want to try Raycast Pro with 80% off and a free trial, your subscription works on both platforms.

How to Download Raycast for Windows

Getting Raycast on Windows is straightforward:

1. Visit raycast.com and click the download button
2. Select the Windows installer (.exe)
3. Run the installer — it takes less than a minute
4. Sign in with your Raycast account (or create one for free)
5. Press Alt + Space to launch Raycast

If you already have a Raycast account from macOS, just sign in with the same credentials. Your Cloud Sync settings, snippets, and quicklinks will sync automatically if you’re on Pro.

For a step-by-step walkthrough of setting up Raycast (including tips that apply to both platforms), see our Raycast setup guide.

Raycast on Windows vs macOS: Feature Comparison

The Windows beta is impressive, but it hasn’t reached full feature parity with the macOS version yet. Here’s a detailed breakdown of what’s available and what’s still in progress.

The biggest gap right now is the extension ecosystem. While the macOS version has over 1,000 community extensions in the Raycast Store, the Windows version currently supports around 300+. Raycast is actively working with extension developers to port more, and the number grows weekly.

If you’re curious about extensions, our best Raycast extensions guide covers the most popular ones — many of which are already available on Windows.

What Works Great on Raycast for Windows

Even in beta, several features feel polished and production-ready on Windows:

AI Commands

The killer feature of Raycast Pro works flawlessly on Windows. You get the same AI models (GPT-4o, Claude, and others), the same custom AI commands, and the same inline AI chat experience. For developers who want AI integrated directly into their workflow without switching apps, this alone makes Raycast worth installing. Learn more in our AI commands guide.

Clipboard History

Windows has never had a great built-in clipboard manager. Raycast’s clipboard history is fast, searchable, and supports text, images, and links. It’s one of those features you don’t realize you need until you have it.

Snippets & Text Expansion

Create and expand text snippets across any Windows app. If you’re migrating from tools like PhraseExpress or TextExpander, Raycast handles snippet expansion natively — no extra software needed.

Window Management

While Windows 11 has Snap Layouts built in, Raycast’s window management goes further with keyboard-driven controls, custom layouts, and quick resizing shortcuts. If you use FancyZones from PowerToys, you’ll find Raycast’s approach faster for common operations.

Floating Notes

Quick-capture floating notes work identically to the macOS version. Press a hotkey, jot something down, and it stays pinned on your screen. Simple, but incredibly useful during coding sessions.

Raycast Alternatives for Windows

If you’re not ready for the beta, or you want to compare options, here are the best Raycast equivalents for Windows in 2026:

PowerToys Run

Microsoft’s own answer to Spotlight-style launchers. PowerToys Run is free, open source, and comes bundled with the excellent PowerToys suite (FancyZones, Color Picker, Text Extractor, and more). It’s a solid baseline launcher but lacks AI features, a community extension store, and the polish of Raycast’s UI.

Flow Launcher

The closest thing to Alfred on Windows. Flow Launcher has a plugin system, theme support, and a growing community. It’s the best free alternative if you want extensibility without paying for anything. However, it has no built-in AI and requires more manual configuration than Raycast.

Why Raycast Still Wins

None of the alternatives above offer built-in AI, seamless Cloud Sync across devices, or a curated extension store with one-click installs. If those features matter to you — and for most developers in 2026, they do — Raycast is the clear choice even in beta. You can compare how Raycast stacks up against other macOS launchers in our Raycast vs Spotlight breakdown.

Raycast Windows Roadmap: What’s Coming

The Raycast team has been transparent about their Windows roadmap. Here’s what’s expected throughout 2026:

• Q1–Q2 2026: Extension store expansion, more third-party app integrations (Slack, Linear, GitHub, Notion)
• Q2–Q3 2026: Full Script Commands support with PowerShell and CMD integration
• Q3 2026: Windows-specific system commands (Task Manager, Services, Registry shortcuts)
• Q4 2026: Target for feature parity with macOS version

The team ships updates frequently — often weekly during the beta period. If you install now, expect the app to improve rapidly.

Pricing: Does Raycast Pro Cost Extra on Windows?

No. Raycast Pro pricing is the same regardless of platform. One subscription covers both macOS and Windows.

• Free tier: Core launcher features, limited AI, clipboard history, snippets
• Pro ($8/month): Unlimited AI commands, Cloud Sync, custom themes, priority support
• Teams ($12/user/month): Shared extensions, team snippets, admin controls

The best current deal is 80% off with a free 14-day trial — no coupon code needed. If you’re planning to use Raycast on Windows, there’s no better time to lock in the discounted rate. Visit our discount landing page for the latest offer details.

Should You Use Raycast on Windows in 2026?

Here’s the honest take: if you’re a developer or power user on Windows, Raycast is already worth installing even in beta. The core experience is solid, the AI features are genuinely useful, and the app is stable enough for daily use.

Install Raycast for Windows if you:

• Want AI integrated directly into your launcher workflow
• Use both macOS and Windows and want a consistent experience
• Are tired of juggling separate tools for clipboard, snippets, window management, and launching
• Develop with tools that have Raycast extensions (GitHub, Jira, VS Code, Docker)

Consider waiting if you:

• Rely on a specific macOS extension that hasn’t been ported yet
• Need deep PowerShell/Script Command integration (coming Q2–Q3 2026)
• Prefer completely stable, non-beta software

For most users, the beta is stable enough to use as a daily driver. And with Raycast Pro, you get access to ChatGPT and other AI models right inside the launcher — something no Windows alternative can match.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Raycast available for Windows?

Yes. Raycast launched a Windows beta in late 2025. As of early 2026, it’s available as a free download for Windows 10 and 11. Core features like the command palette, AI commands, clipboard history, snippets, and window management are all functional. The extension store is growing, with 300+ extensions currently available.

Can I download Raycast for Windows right now?

Yes. Head to raycast.com and download the Windows installer. It supports Windows 10 (version 1903 and later) and Windows 11. You’ll need a free Raycast account to get started.

Does Raycast Pro work on Windows?

Absolutely. Your Raycast Pro subscription is cross-platform. AI commands, Cloud Sync, custom themes, and all other Pro features work on both macOS and Windows. You can get 80% off Raycast Pro with a free 14-day trial.

What are the best Raycast alternatives for Windows?

The top alternatives include PowerToys Run (free, by Microsoft), Flow Launcher (free, open source), Wox, Keypirinha, and Listary. PowerToys Run is the most widely used, while Flow Launcher offers the closest experience to a full-featured launcher like Raycast or Alfred. None include built-in AI features.

Which Raycast features are missing on Windows?

The main gaps in early 2026 are the extension store (about 300 extensions vs 1,000+ on macOS), full Script Commands support (PowerShell integration is still limited), and some macOS-specific system integrations. Raycast is targeting feature parity by Q4 2026.