Spotlight vs. Raycast vs. Assignee: Which Is Fastest?

If you’re serious about speed, you’ve probably tried Spotlight, Raycast, and maybe Assignee. But which one is the fastest for daily use?

Let’s compare them across key areas.

1. Launch Speed

• Spotlight: ⌘ + Space → Type → Enter (fast, but typing required)
• Raycast: Slightly faster than Spotlight, extensible
• Assignee: No typing—just hit your shortcut (instant)

Winner: Assignee for app access

2. App Switching

• Spotlight: No direct app switching
• Raycast: Type to switch or launch
• Assignee: Jump instantly via mapped shortcut

Winner: Assignee again

3. Custom Workflows

• Raycast wins here with scripts and extensions
• Assignee focuses on navigation + window management
• Spotlight is limited

4. Learning Curve

• Spotlight: Easy
• Raycast: Medium
• Assignee: Easy to set up, powerful over time

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Final Verdict

• Use Raycast for custom workflows
• Use Spotlight for discovery
• Use Assignee for speed and switching

They’re not competitors—they’re stackable. But for switching, nothing beats Assignee.