AppGrid feels close to Apple's classic Launchpad, but Launchie delivers a faster, more flexible experience for modern macOS users. Here's how they compare.
AppGrid is often the default recommendation for anyone missing Launchpad in macOS 26 Tahoe. It imitates Apple’s grid view faithfully and even pulls in your historical Launchpad layout. But once you move beyond nostalgia, Launchie offers a more future-proof approach that makes organizing large app libraries significantly easier.
AppGrid unquestionably boots quickly and handles big libraries with respectable speed. The catch: it adds every newly installed app automatically and then expects you to clean up via a dedicated editing mode.
Launchie starts from the same auto-detected catalog yet feels lighter once everything is indexed. Its vertically scrolling interface avoids page-by-page redraws, so switching between folders or lists doesn’t stutter—even when you keep 700+ apps installed. For users who bounce between development tools, design suites, and games, that responsiveness is the difference between staying focused and wrestling with your launcher.
AppGrid sticks to the Launchpad formula: one editing mode, tap-and-hold to wiggle icons, and slow-motion drag-and-drop into folders. It works, but it is rigid. Even the handy manual add button lives behind a modal dialog.
Launchie treats organization like a first-class workflow:
The end result is that Launchie behaves like a productivity tool, not a nostalgic replica.
AppGrid requires its €50 Pro upgrade (or €2/month subscription) for multi-select, hiding apps, and more than a handful of cosmetic tweaks. Without paying, you’re effectively limited to Launchpad’s default experience.
Launchie’s €18 one-time Pro unlock covers the features that actually save time:
Because Launchie shares the same hot-corner trigger as AppGrid but adds layout sync and recovery, it’s far easier to tweak aggressively without worrying about losing your setup.
| Feature | AppGrid | Launchie |
|---|---|---|
| Base price | Free | Free |
| Pro unlock | €50 one-time or €2/month | €18 one-time |
| Multi-select & hiding apps | Pro only | Pro |
| Active Screen Corner | Included | Pro |
| Layout backup | Included | Pro |
| Quick-access row | – | Included |
Launchie’s lower price tag would already be compelling, but coupling it with better usability makes the choice even clearer.
If you just want the old Launchpad frozen in amber, AppGrid does the job. Yet most people want more than a museum piece. Launchie keeps the familiar grid and folder systems while adding a vertically scrolling view, quick filters, smarter context actions, and faster customization. For power users juggling hundreds of apps—and for anyone who wants their launcher to evolve with macOS—Launchie delivers the better daily experience.
Ready to upgrade your workflow? Download Launchie and see why modern Mac users are making the switch.
Discover more tips, updates, and insights about Launchie and macOS productivity.
Launchie