Top Alternatives to App Search Plus for Faster Android App Discovery
App Search Plus is a well-loved Android app known for its lightweight and incredibly fast approach to finding and launching installed applications. It's designed for simplicity, doing one thing exceptionally well: helping you locate apps quickly without unnecessary clutter or permissions. However, even the most focused tools might not perfectly fit everyone's needs. Whether you're looking for additional features, a different interface, or just exploring other options, there are several excellent App Search Plus alternatives available.
Top App Search Plus Alternatives
If you're seeking a different approach to app discovery on your Android device, or perhaps a more feature-rich search experience, these alternatives offer compelling options. Let's dive into some of the best replacements for App Search Plus.
Google Search
Google Search, while primarily a web search engine, offers robust capabilities for finding and launching apps on Android, especially when integrated with your device. Available across various platforms including Android, iPhone, and Web, it provides a comprehensive search engine experience. While not solely focused on app launching like App Search Plus, its pervasive presence and ability to include app results in searches make it a powerful general-purpose alternative for users already integrated into the Google ecosystem.
CC Search
CC Search is a free and open-source web-based search engine primarily focused on finding content free of rights or in the public domain. While its main purpose differs significantly from App Search Plus, which is for local app discovery, it's a noteworthy alternative for users who value open-source solutions and are looking for a search tool with a specific focus on licensed content, rather than app launching. It features a built-in search engine and allows searching by license.
Lilo
Lilo is a free web-based search engine with a unique mission: financing social and environmental projects. Unlike App Search Plus, which is a local app launcher, Lilo is a meta-search engine that prioritizes ethical consumption while providing search results. If your interest extends beyond simple app searching to supporting good causes with your daily queries, Lilo offers a compelling, feature-rich alternative to conventional search tools.
Presearch
Presearch is a decentralized, free, and open-source search engine powered by its community, available on Web and Android. While App Search Plus focuses on local app discovery, Presearch offers a privacy-focused and blockchain-based search experience with features like Search Reward Tokens and direct client feedback. For users looking for a transparent and community-driven search alternative that goes beyond basic app launching, Presearch is an intriguing option.
Tesse
Tesse is an expert search engine, available for free on Web, Android, and iPhone, designed to connect users with global experts by keyword of skills or expertise. Its primary function is a knowledge base and search engine for professional networking, which is very different from App Search Plus's app launching utility. However, for users seeking a specialized search platform, Tesse provides a web-based, on-demand solution that broadens the definition of 'search'.
Sarchy
Sarchy stands out as a free, open-source, and customizable search engine available across Windows, Linux, Web, Android, and iPhone. While App Search Plus is a straightforward app launcher, Sarchy offers a broader, more flexible search engine experience with open data principles. Its open-source nature makes it a good alternative for users who appreciate transparency and the ability to customize their search environment.
Google Go
Google Go is a lightweight version of the Google search app, specifically designed for Android and Android Tablet devices, excelling on slower connections. Like App Search Plus, it prioritizes speed and efficiency, but for a broader range of searches including web content and app discovery. It features a discovery engine, multiple languages, and voice commands, making it an excellent alternative for users who want a fast, feature-rich search experience without the heavy resource usage.
Quickdroid Search
Quickdroid Search is a free and open-source Android app that, like App Search Plus, focuses on quickly finding and launching apps. It extends its capabilities to include contacts, bookmarks, artists, albums, and songs, offering a more comprehensive local search experience similar to desktop launchers like Quicksilver or Launchy. If you're looking for an open-source App Search Plus alternative that provides broader local search functionality, Quickdroid is a strong contender.
Poal Search
Poal Search is a free web-based instance of SearX, emphasizing privacy by not tracking user searches. While not a direct app launcher like App Search Plus, it serves as a robust privacy-focused search engine for the web. For users prioritizing free speech and anonymity in their search activities, Poal Search offers a compelling alternative to mainstream search engines, though it won't replace the local app discovery function.
FAST App Search Tool
FAST App Search Tool is a free Android app that mirrors App Search Plus's core functionality: finding and launching applications quickly and efficiently without requiring any permissions. It's designed to be lightweight, making it an excellent direct alternative for users who appreciate the simplicity and speed of App Search Plus but are open to exploring very similar tools. Its focus on minimal features and no permissions aligns perfectly with the original app's philosophy.
Each of these alternatives offers a unique set of features and focuses, ranging from general web search to highly specialized local app discovery. We encourage you to explore them to find the App Search Plus alternative that best fits your specific needs and preferences for speed, privacy, or functionality.