What application launchers are available for Ubuntu?

Question

What are some alternative launchers that can be used to launch programs in Ubuntu's default Unity desktop?

Solution 1

One that I use and like is Albert.

It's very similar to OS X's Spotlight Search, especially in how it looks, but I've found it to be invaluable if you're a keyboard-heavy power user.

You have to install it via a PPA (not in the official repos yet):

sudo apt-add-repository ppa:flexiondotorg/albert
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install albert

On the first launch you will have to set the hotkey to launch Albert, but that's fairly easy:

I've set it to Ctrl-Space.

Solution 2

Here are some more ways to launch and organize applications:

GnomeDO

sudo apt-get install gnome-do gnome-do-plugins

Duck Launcher

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:the-duck/launcher
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install duck-launcher

Launcher Folders:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:asukhovatkin/unity-launcher-folders
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install unity-launcher-folders

Slingscold Launcher

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:noobslab/apps
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install slingscold

Solution 3

You also have dockbarx. You can install it with:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:dockbar-main/ppa 
sudo apt-get update 
sudo apt-get install dockbarx

More info here.

Solution 4

My personal favorite is the Classic Menu Indicator

In addition to other answers, me and @JacobVlijm have tried to script launchers as an answer to Launch app only if not already open question

Solution 5

Consider Synapse:

Just start typing the program, file or directory you're looking for.

Installation:

sudo apt install synapse

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Comments

[Admin]

You can get many such as Docky, however they will not properly integrate with Unity and you won't be able to get rid of the default Unity Launcher.

[Admin]

It doesn't have to replace the default launcher. Just want to know if any other ways to launch programs, even from the Launcher itself, like Gnome DO.

[Admin]

just to mention: askubuntu.com/a/606252/72216 with specific functionality :) Should work not only on Unity.

[Admin]

@JacobVlijm already mentioned that question in my answer bellow ^_0

[Admin]

I may update this answer with more.

[Fabby]

Now I know why you're not in the chat room: in the mean time, your battery ran out! :D

[Sergiy Kolodyazhnyy]

@Fabby actually this screenshot is not from my desktop, but my battery is really running out , so had to be quick. Also I'm not in the chat because i am running around, covering people

[Jacob Vlijm]

@Serg Thanks for mentioning :) How could I overlook...