| Name |
Platform |
Remarks |
License |
| Ask.com Ask.com is a search engine started in 1996 by Garrett Gruener and David Warthen in Berkeley, California. The original search engine software was implemented by Gary Chevsky from his own design. Chevsky, Justin Grant, and others built the early AskJeeves.com website around that core engine...
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WindowsMicrosoft Windows is a series of software operating systems and graphical user interfaces produced by Microsoft. Microsoft first introduced an operating environment named Windows in November 1985 as an add-on to MS-DOS in response to the growing interest in graphical user interfaces...
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- |
Freeware |
| Autonomy |
WindowsMicrosoft Windows is a series of software operating systems and graphical user interfaces produced by Microsoft. Microsoft first introduced an operating environment named Windows in November 1985 as an add-on to MS-DOS in response to the growing interest in graphical user interfaces...
|
IDOL Enterprise Desktop Search. |
Proprietary, commercial |
BeagleBeagle is a search system for Linux and other such modern Unix-like systems, enabling the user to search documents, chat logs, email and contact lists in a similar way to Spotlight in Mac OS X, and Windows Search or Google Desktop under Microsoft Windows.Beagle grew out of , an early Mono based...
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LinuxLinux is a generic term referring to Unix-like computer operating systems based on the Linux kernel. Their development is one of the most prominent examples of free and open source software collaboration; typically all the underlying source code can be used, freely modified, and redistributed,...
|
Open source desktop search tool for Linux based on Lucene |
A mix of the X11/MIT License and the Apache LicenseThe Apache License is a free-software license authored by the Apache Software Foundation...
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Copernic Desktop SearchCopernic Desktop Search is a commercial desktop search utility for the Microsoft Windows family of operating systems. Three versions of the product are made which target different market segments....
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WindowsMicrosoft Windows is a series of software operating systems and graphical user interfaces produced by Microsoft. Microsoft first introduced an operating environment named Windows in November 1985 as an add-on to MS-DOS in response to the growing interest in graphical user interfaces...
|
Considered best overall search engine in 2005 UW benchmark study. |
Free for home use |
| Docco Docco is a personal document management system built on top of Apache's indexing and search engine Lucene.Docco supports the following document formats:* Plain text* HTML* XML* OpenOffice.org/StarOffice 6.0 documents* Word...
|
cross-platform (Java) |
Based on Apache'sThe Apache Software Foundation is a non-profit corporation to support Apache software projects, including the Apache HTTP Server. The ASF was formed from the Apache Group and incorporated in Delaware, USA, in June 1999,.The Apache Software Foundation is a decentralized community of developers...
indexing and search engine LuceneApache Lucene is a free/open source information retrieval library, originally created in Java by Doug Cutting. It is supported by the Apache Software Foundation and is released under the Apache Software License....
, and it requires a Java Runtime Environment. |
BSD License |
| Docfetcher DocFetcher is an open source desktop search application that runs on Microsoft Windows and Linux. It is written in Java and has a Standard Widget Toolkit based graphical user interface....
|
Cross-platform |
Open source desktop search tool for Windows and Linux, based on Apache Lucene |
Eclipse Public License The Eclipse Public License is an open source software license used by the Eclipse Foundation for its software. It replaces the Common Public License and removes certain terms relating to patent litigation...
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| dtSearch Desktop |
WindowsMicrosoft Windows is a series of software operating systems and graphical user interfaces produced by Microsoft. Microsoft first introduced an operating environment named Windows in November 1985 as an add-on to MS-DOS in response to the growing interest in graphical user interfaces...
|
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Proprietary (30 day trial) |
| Easyfind Easyfind is a light, free search system for Mac OS X enabling the user to search files, folders, and contents.-Background:Easyfind operates as a replacement for Mac OS X Spotlight but does not require indexing...
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Mac OSMac OS is the trademarked name for a series of graphical user interface-based operating systems developed by Apple Inc. for their Macintosh line of computer systems. The Macintosh user experience is credited with popularizing the graphical user interface...
|
|
Freeware |
| Filehawk |
WindowsMicrosoft Windows is a series of software operating systems and graphical user interfaces produced by Microsoft. Microsoft first introduced an operating environment named Windows in November 1985 as an add-on to MS-DOS in response to the growing interest in graphical user interfaces...
|
Indexes and searches files' content in computers, networks and removable data storage devicethumb|200px|right|A reel-to-reel tape recorder .The magnetic tape is a data storage medium. The recorder is data storage equipment using a portable medium to store the data....
s |
Proprietary (30 day trial) |
| Gaviri PocketSearch Gaviri PocketSearch is an indexing, searching and file management software, designed to help users find files across all their devices.
Gaviri PocketSearch allows user to search for files, emails, pictures, music and other documents on any of the many devices he uses...
|
WindowsMicrosoft Windows is a series of software operating systems and graphical user interfaces produced by Microsoft. Microsoft first introduced an operating environment named Windows in November 1985 as an add-on to MS-DOS in response to the growing interest in graphical user interfaces...
|
Indexes desktop, network drives and portable devices. |
Freeware or commercial |
Google DesktopGoogle Desktop is desktop search software made by Google for Mac OS X, Linux, and Microsoft Windows. The program allows text searches of a user's e-mails, computer files, music, photos, chats, Web pages viewed, and other "Google Gadgets".-File indexing:...
|
LinuxLinux is a generic term referring to Unix-like computer operating systems based on the Linux kernel. Their development is one of the most prominent examples of free and open source software collaboration; typically all the underlying source code can be used, freely modified, and redistributed,...
, Mac OSMac OS is the trademarked name for a series of graphical user interface-based operating systems developed by Apple Inc. for their Macintosh line of computer systems. The Macintosh user experience is credited with popularizing the graphical user interface...
, WindowsMicrosoft Windows is a series of software operating systems and graphical user interfaces produced by Microsoft. Microsoft first introduced an operating environment named Windows in November 1985 as an add-on to MS-DOS in response to the growing interest in graphical user interfaces...
|
Integrates with the main Google search engine page. 5.9 Release now supports x64 systems. |
Freeware |
| GNOME Storage GNOME Storage was a project to replace the traditional file system with a new document store. Storage was part of a larger design for a new desktop environment that was still under development. The current implementation includes natural language access and network transparency.Storage is no longer...
|
LinuxLinux is a generic term referring to Unix-like computer operating systems based on the Linux kernel. Their development is one of the most prominent examples of free and open source software collaboration; typically all the underlying source code can be used, freely modified, and redistributed,...
|
Open Source desktop search tool for Unix/Linux |
GPL |
imgSeekimgSeek is a photo collection manager and viewer with content-based search and many other features. The query is expressed either as a rough sketch painted by the user or as another image...
|
LinuxLinux is a generic term referring to Unix-like computer operating systems based on the Linux kernel. Their development is one of the most prominent examples of free and open source software collaboration; typically all the underlying source code can be used, freely modified, and redistributed,...
, Mac OSMac OS is the trademarked name for a series of graphical user interface-based operating systems developed by Apple Inc. for their Macintosh line of computer systems. The Macintosh user experience is credited with popularizing the graphical user interface...
, WindowsMicrosoft Windows is a series of software operating systems and graphical user interfaces produced by Microsoft. Microsoft first introduced an operating environment named Windows in November 1985 as an add-on to MS-DOS in response to the growing interest in graphical user interfaces...
|
Desktop content-based image search |
GPL v2 |
| InSight Desktop Search InSight Desktop Search is a desktop search application that runs on Microsoft Windows. It is written in Visual Basic .NET and has a widget-like user interface while in standby mode....
|
WindowsMicrosoft Windows is a series of software operating systems and graphical user interfaces produced by Microsoft. Microsoft first introduced an operating environment named Windows in November 1985 as an add-on to MS-DOS in response to the growing interest in graphical user interfaces...
|
Metadata Metadata is "data about data", of any sort in any media. Metadata is text, voice, or image that describes what the audience wants or needs to see or experience. The audience could be a person, group, or software program...
-based search utility |
Freeware |
| ISYS Search Software Established in 1988, ISYS Search Software is a global supplier of enterprise search software for information access, management and re-use. The company markets and sells a suite of embedded search, mobile access and information management infrastructure technology...
|
WindowsMicrosoft Windows is a series of software operating systems and graphical user interfaces produced by Microsoft. Microsoft first introduced an operating environment named Windows in November 1985 as an add-on to MS-DOS in response to the growing interest in graphical user interfaces...
|
ISYS:desktop search software. |
Proprietary (14 day trial) |
| Likasoft Archivarius 3000 Archivarius 3000 is a full-featured application to search documents and e-mail on the desktop computer, on local network and removable drives...
|
WindowsMicrosoft Windows is a series of software operating systems and graphical user interfaces produced by Microsoft. Microsoft first introduced an operating environment named Windows in November 1985 as an add-on to MS-DOS in response to the growing interest in graphical user interfaces...
|
- |
Proprietary (30 day trial) |
Meta TrackerMeta Tracker is a search system for Linux and other Unix-like systems. Meta Tracker is known for its speed, which comes partly from being written in the fast C programming language.Nautilus has support for both Tracker and Beagle....
|
LinuxLinux is a generic term referring to Unix-like computer operating systems based on the Linux kernel. Their development is one of the most prominent examples of free and open source software collaboration; typically all the underlying source code can be used, freely modified, and redistributed,...
, UnixUnix is a computer operating system originally developed in 1969 by a group of AT&T employees at Bell Labs, including Ken Thompson, Dennis Ritchie, Brian Kernighan, Douglas McIlroy, and Joe Ossanna...
|
Open Source desktop search tool for Unix/Linux |
GPL v2 |
| Spotlight Spotlight is a system-wide desktop search feature of Apple's Mac OS X operating system introduced in version 10.4 on April 29, 2005. Creating a virtual index of all items and files on the system, it is a selection-based search system designed to allow the user to quickly locate a wide variety of...
|
Mac OSMac OS is the trademarked name for a series of graphical user interface-based operating systems developed by Apple Inc. for their Macintosh line of computer systems. The Macintosh user experience is credited with popularizing the graphical user interface...
|
Found in Apple Apple Inc. is an American multinational corporation that designs and manufactures consumer electronics and computer software products. The company's best-known hardware products include Macintosh computers, the iPod and the iPhone...
Mac OS XMac OS X is a line of computer operating systems developed, marketed, and sold by Apple Inc., and since 2002 has been included with all new Macintosh computer systems...
"TigerMac OS X version 10.4 “Tiger” is the fifth major release of Mac OS X, Apple’s desktop and server operating system for Macintosh computers. Tiger was released to the public on 29 April 2005 for US$129.95 as the successor to Mac OS X v10.3 “Panther”, which had been released 18 months earlier...
" and later OS X releases. |
Proprietary |
| Strigi Strigi is a desktop search daemon, which is operating system-independent and desktop-independent. Strigi was initiated by Jos van den Oever. Strigi's goals are to be fast, use a small amount of RAM, and use flexible backends and plug-ins. A benchmark as of January 2007 showed that Strigi is faster...
|
LinuxLinux is a generic term referring to Unix-like computer operating systems based on the Linux kernel. Their development is one of the most prominent examples of free and open source software collaboration; typically all the underlying source code can be used, freely modified, and redistributed,...
, UnixUnix is a computer operating system originally developed in 1969 by a group of AT&T employees at Bell Labs, including Ken Thompson, Dennis Ritchie, Brian Kernighan, Douglas McIlroy, and Joe Ossanna...
, SolarisSolaris may refer to:* Solaris , a science fiction novel by Stanisław Lem* Solaris from Sun MicrosystemsSolaris may also refer to:In fiction:...
, Mac OS XMac OS X is a line of computer operating systems developed, marketed, and sold by Apple Inc., and since 2002 has been included with all new Macintosh computer systems...
and WindowsMicrosoft Windows is a series of software operating systems and graphical user interfaces produced by Microsoft. Microsoft first introduced an operating environment named Windows in November 1985 as an add-on to MS-DOS in response to the growing interest in graphical user interfaces...
|
Cross-platform open source desktop search engine |
LGPL v2 |
| Terrier Search Engine Terrier is a software for the rapid development of Web, intranet and desktop search engines. More generally, it is a modular platform for the rapid development of large-scale Information Retrieval applications, providing indexing and retrieval functionalities....
|
LinuxLinux is a generic term referring to Unix-like computer operating systems based on the Linux kernel. Their development is one of the most prominent examples of free and open source software collaboration; typically all the underlying source code can be used, freely modified, and redistributed,...
, Mac OSMac OS is the trademarked name for a series of graphical user interface-based operating systems developed by Apple Inc. for their Macintosh line of computer systems. The Macintosh user experience is credited with popularizing the graphical user interface...
, UnixUnix is a computer operating system originally developed in 1969 by a group of AT&T employees at Bell Labs, including Ken Thompson, Dennis Ritchie, Brian Kernighan, Douglas McIlroy, and Joe Ossanna...
|
Desktop search for Windows, Mac OS X (Tiger), Unix/Linux. |
MPLThe Mozilla Public License is a free and open source software license. Version 1.0 was developed by Mitchell Baker when she worked as a lawyer at Netscape Communications Corporation and version 1.1 at the Mozilla Foundation...
|
| Tropes Zoom Tropes Zoom is a desktop search engine and semantic analysis software from Acetic/Semantic-Knowledge.Originally written by Pierre Molette in 1994 in partnership with University Paris 8, Tropes Zoom was the first search engine based on semantic networks to be widely known.Unlike other search...
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WindowsMicrosoft Windows is a series of software operating systems and graphical user interfaces produced by Microsoft. Microsoft first introduced an operating environment named Windows in November 1985 as an add-on to MS-DOS in response to the growing interest in graphical user interfaces...
|
Semantic Search Engine. |
Freeware and commercial |
Windows SearchWindows Search is an indexed desktop search platform released by Microsoft for the Windows operating system...
|
WindowsMicrosoft Windows is a series of software operating systems and graphical user interfaces produced by Microsoft. Microsoft first introduced an operating environment named Windows in November 1985 as an add-on to MS-DOS in response to the growing interest in graphical user interfaces...
|
Part of Windows VistaWindows Vista is a line of operating systems developed by Microsoft for use on personal computers, including home and business desktops, laptops, tablet PCs, and media center PCs...
and later OSs. Available as Windows Desktop Search for Windows XPWindows XP is a line of operating systems produced by Microsoft for use on personal computers, including home and business desktops, laptops, and media centers. The name "XP" is short for "eXPerience"...
and Server 2003Windows Server 2003 is a server operating system produced by Microsoft. Introduced on 24 April 2003 as the successor to Windows 2000 Server, it is considered by Microsoft to be the cornerstone of its Windows Server System line of business server products. An updated version, Windows Server 2003...
. Does not support indexing UNC paths on x64 systems. |
Proprietary, freeware |
| X1 Professional Client |
WindowsMicrosoft Windows is a series of software operating systems and graphical user interfaces produced by Microsoft. Microsoft first introduced an operating environment named Windows in November 1985 as an add-on to MS-DOS in response to the growing interest in graphical user interfaces...
|
Formerly Yahoo Desktop Search, then X1 Desktop Search, then X1 Enterprise Client |
Proprietary (30 day trial) |