Raycast, one of the top tools for Mac power users, is preparing to expand to Windows and iOS in the coming months. What began as a simple launcher offering a faster alternative to Apple's Spotlight search tool has grown into a multi-functional app. It now allows you to interact with apps, manage Windows, chat with AI, and more. In a way, Raycast feels like a modern version of a command line, giving you powerful capabilities, though it can take time to get used to.
Raycast's Windows and iOS launch plans
The big news is that Raycast is branching out from its Mac-only roots. The company has announced plans to launch the app on Windows and iOS. According to Raycast's co-founder and CEO, Thomas Paul Mann, both versions are already in development and are expected to be released sometime next year.
The Windows version will look and function similarly to the Mac app. Mann notes that launching on Windows offers even more potential, as it provides access to more system-level controls. He sees the Windows version as a major step, saying, “It reaches the rest of the market, right? I think it's pretty exciting to redefine what it would mean to use a Windows machine.”
However, creating an iOS version presents more challenges. Mann explains that Raycast's goal on mobile is to be as integrated into the system as possible, but Apple's platform doesn't allow for the same deep system access. As a result, Raycast for iOS will likely function more as a companion app than the fully-featured launcher Mac users are familiar with. Mann suggests the iOS version will be more visual and proactive, moving away from Raycast's typical text-based interface.
Raycast's growing ecosystem and vision
Mann compares Raycast to an operating system within your current operating system. It offers the core essentials but then builds on those by adding the apps you need for daily work. Over time, Raycast has integrated with various third-party apps while developing its apps, such as taking notes and using AI chat. Mann believes Raycast can combine all these features into one seamless experience, enhancing your interaction with your device.
Alongside developing its Windows and iOS apps, Raycast has secured US$30 million in funding to fuel its growth. The company says this funding will help it focus on reducing “busywork” and minimising the need for context-switching between apps. This kind of pitch is common among tech companies that incorporate AI, and Raycast aims to achieve even more by blending AI with efficient, well-designed software.
With its upcoming Windows and iOS launches, Raycast aims to reach new markets and cement its reputation as a go-to tool for productivity and efficiency. As it expands beyond the Mac ecosystem, Raycast could change how platform users manage their devices and daily tasks.
