zoxide vs Alfred: Which Should You Choose in 2026?
Choosing between zoxide and Alfred 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:
zoxide
A smarter `cd` command that learns your habits to help you jump to frequently used directories.
Best for you if:
- • You need something completely free
- • Smarter `cd` command for faster directory navigation.
- • Learns frequently used directories to 'jump' with few keystrokes.
Alfred
Productivity app for Mac with custom workflows and shortcuts
Best for you if:
- • You want the higher-rated option (9.0/10 vs 8.5/10)
- • Alfred is a productivity app for Mac that boosts efficiency with custom workflows and hotkeys
- • It replaces Spotlight with powerful search, snippets, clipboard history, and automation capabilities
| At a Glance |  zoxide |  Alfred |
|---|---|---|
Price | Free | Free + Paid |
Best For | Terminal Tools | Terminal Tools |
Rating | 85/100 | 90/100 |
| Feature | zoxide | Alfred |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Free | Freemium |
| Editorial Score | 85 | 90 |
| Community Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Total Reviews | 0 | 0 |
| Community Upvotes | 0 | 0 |
| Categories | Terminal ToolsAutomation | Terminal ToolsClipboard Managers |
How zoxide and Alfred Compare
zoxide
A smarter `cd` command that learns your habits to help you jump to frequently used directories.
Free · 85/100 score
Alfred
Productivity app for Mac with custom workflows and shortcuts
Free tier available · 90/100 score
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
zoxide is free. Alfred is freemium.
Go with: zoxide
Want the highest-rated option?
zoxide: 85/100. Alfred: 90/100.
Go with: Alfred
Value user reviews?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: Alfred
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
zoxide is free. Alfred is freemium. Go with zoxide if free matters most.
What's your use case?
Both are terminal tools tools. Compare their specific features to decide.
How important are ratings?
Alfred scores higher: 90/100 vs 85/100.
Key Takeaways
Alfred
- Higher score: 90/100 vs 85
- Free tier available
- Our pick for this comparison
zoxide
- Completely free
The Bottom Line
Alfred (90/100) is our pick. That said, zoxide is free — hard to beat on price.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is zoxide or Alfred better?
Alfred scores 90/100 in our evaluation. zoxide is free and Alfred is freemium.
What are zoxide and Alfred used for?
zoxide: A smarter `cd` command that learns your habits to help you jump to frequently used directories.. Alfred: Productivity app for Mac with custom workflows and shortcuts.
What does zoxide cost vs Alfred?
zoxide is completely free. Alfred is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Visit their websites for detailed pricing.