Raycast vs exa: Which Should You Choose in 2026?
Choosing between Raycast and exa comes down to understanding what each tool does best. This comparison breaks down the key differences so you can make an informed decision based on your specific needs, not marketing claims.
By Toolradar Team · Last updated February 28, 2026 · Methodology
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
Raycast
Supercharged productivity
Best for you if:
- • You want the higher-rated option (9.1/10 vs 7.3/10)
- • Blazingly fast Mac launcher with deep developer tool integrations
- • Extensible with hundreds of community and official extensions
exa
Modern replacement for ls
Best for you if:
- • You need something completely free
- • AI-powered terminal with natural language
- • Search files and run commands with plain English
| At a Glance |  Raycast |  exa |
|---|---|---|
Price | Free + Paid | Free |
Best For | Terminal Tools | Terminal Tools |
Rating | 91/100 | 73/100 |
| Feature | Raycast | exa |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Free |
| Editorial Score | 91 | 73 |
| Community Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Total Reviews | 0 | 0 |
| Community Upvotes | 0 | 0 |
| Categories | Terminal ToolsAutomation | Terminal ToolsFile Management |
How Raycast and exa Compare
Raycast
Supercharged productivity
Free tier available · 91/100 score
exa
Modern replacement for ls
Free · 73/100 score
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
exa is free. Raycast is freemium.
Go with: exa
Want the highest-rated option?
Raycast: 91/100. exa: 73/100.
Go with: Raycast
Value user reviews?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: Raycast
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Raycast is freemium. exa is free. Go with exa if free matters most.
What's your use case?
Both are terminal tools tools. Compare their specific features to decide.
How important are ratings?
Raycast scores higher: 91/100 vs 73/100.
Key Takeaways
Raycast
- Higher score: 91/100 vs 73
- Free tier available
- Our pick for this comparison
exa
- Completely free
The Bottom Line
Raycast (91/100) is our pick. That said, exa is free — hard to beat on price.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Raycast or exa better?
Raycast scores 91/100 in our evaluation. Raycast is freemium and exa is free.
What are Raycast and exa used for?
Raycast: Supercharged productivity. exa: Modern replacement for ls.
What does Raycast cost vs exa?
Raycast is freemium (free tier + paid plans). exa is completely free. Visit their websites for detailed pricing.