LaunchHome vs LaunchOS: two Launchpad replacements for macOS 26 and 27
LaunchHome and LaunchOS both bring the classic paged Launchpad back to macOS 26 and 27. How they compare on price, which features are free, F4 and permissions, languages and privacy
The short answer
Disclosure: this comparison is written by the LaunchHome team. LaunchOS’s details come from its own website, features page and FAQ as of 2026-10-31; its prices were marked as a sale, so check them before you buy.
Both copy the original Launchpad closely: pages, folders, drag-and-drop and free old layout import. LaunchHome costs less, keeps F4 free and needs no permission for it, and runs on Intel Macs.
Pick LaunchOS if you want a vertical scrolling mode or a window mode, need one of its 20 interface languages, or want a license for one Mac only.
Side by side
Checked on 2026-10-31.
| LaunchHome | LaunchOS | |
|---|---|---|
| Layout | Pages and folders, like the original | Pages and folders; vertical scrolling and window mode are Pro |
| Price | Free; Pro is a one-time $9.9 for 3 Macs | Free Basic; Pro one-time $11.99 for 1 Mac, $18.99 for 2, $35.99 for 5 (sale prices) |
| Pro trial | 7 days | 7 days |
| Import old Launchpad layout | Yes, free | Yes |
| F4 key | Free, no permissions needed | Pro, uses Accessibility |
| Custom shortcut | Pro | Free (global hotkey) |
| Trackpad gesture | Pro | Pro |
| Hot corner | Pro | Pro |
| Hide, rename, uninstall apps | Pro | Pro |
| Widgets | Pro (calculator, clipboard history, clock) | Not listed |
| Languages | 8 | 20 |
| Where to get it | Direct download and Homebrew | Direct download and Homebrew |
| Macs | Apple silicon and Intel | Not stated |
Sources: LaunchOS · LaunchOS features · LaunchOS FAQ
Price and what’s free
LaunchHome keeps pages, drag-and-drop, up to 3 folders, search by app name, old layout import and F4 free. Pro is a one-time $9.9, activates up to 3 Macs and includes all 1.x updates, with a 14-day money-back guarantee.
LaunchOS keeps its Basic plan free, with old layout import, the right-click menu, a global hotkey and dragging apps to the Dock. Pro is a one-time purchase with lifetime updates, priced per number of Macs; the site showed $11.99, $18.99 and $35.99 as an autumn offer.
If you have two or three Macs, LaunchHome Pro covers them for less. For a single Mac the gap is small.
F4 and permissions
LaunchHome opens with F4 through the system hotkey API, so it needs no Accessibility or Input Monitoring permission and works in the free version.
LaunchOS lists the F4 key as a Pro feature, and its FAQ says F4 and gestures use the Accessibility permission (renamed Device Control and Data Access on macOS 27). Its free global hotkey covers you if you’re happy with another key.
Where LaunchOS is ahead
More ways to browse: a vertical scrolling mode and a window browsing mode (both Pro), and more sorting options, such as by date added.
A free custom hotkey, and 20 interface languages.
A cheaper license if you only ever need one Mac at full price.
Where LaunchHome is ahead
Lower price for up to three Macs, and F4 works free without granting any permission.
Intel Macs are supported; LaunchOS doesn’t say.
Extras: search by initials and calculations, six page transitions, and widgets (calculator, clipboard history, clock) (Pro).
It’s about 4 MB, opens in under 5 ms after the first launch, has no account and collects no analytics.
FAQ
Which is cheaper, LaunchHome or LaunchOS?
LaunchHome Pro is a one-time $9.9 for 3 Macs. LaunchOS Pro was $11.99 for one Mac or $18.99 for two at the time of checking, marked as a sale. Both have free versions.
Do both import my old Launchpad layout?
Yes, as long as the old Launchpad database is still on your Mac. A brand-new Mac on macOS 26 or 27 has nothing to import.
Can I switch from LaunchOS to LaunchHome?
LaunchHome can’t read LaunchOS’s layout. If your Mac used Launchpad before macOS 26, import that layout instead, then adjust. Give the two apps different shortcuts if you try both.