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Productivity · head to head

Alfred vs Streaks

Alfred logo

Alfred

Productivity

Mac launcher and automation tool sold as a one-time Powerpack licence rather than a subscription

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Streaks logo

Streaks

Productivity

iOS habit tracker sold as a one-time purchase, not a subscription

From
$5.99/one-time
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Alfred has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Alfred there is no official built in AI assistant, so anything AI related depends on a community workflow calling an external API key you supply yourself.; Streaks it is iOS and Apple Watch only, with no Android version, so it is not usable for anyone outside Apple's ecosystem.
  • They diverge on capability: Alfred covers Workflows, Streaks covers Streak tracking.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 1 September 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Alfred and Streaks actually diverge.

Attributes where Alfred and Streaks differ
AttributeAlfredStreaks
Starting priceFree$5.99/one-time
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsMaciOS

Identical on both: pricing model (One-time purchase), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Productivity).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Alfred

  • Workflows
  • Clipboard history
  • Snippets
  • File actions
  • Universal actions
  • Theming

Only in Streaks

  • Streak tracking
  • Apple Health integration
  • Apple Watch app
  • Flexible scheduling
  • Widgets
  • iCloud sync

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Alfred

  • A developer who wants to trigger scripts, run shell commands and search files from one hotkey without a subscriptionnot Streaks
  • A writer who wants text snippets and clipboard history and does not want built in AInot Streaks
  • A long time Alfred user with a large personal library of custom workflows built up over yearsnot Streaks
  • A user who prefers paying once per major version over a recurring monthly chargenot Streaks

Streaks

  • Someone wanting a simple visual habit tracker without recurring subscription feesnot Alfred
  • A person wanting habits like step count or sleep to auto-complete via Apple Health datanot Alfred
  • An Apple Watch user wanting to log habits without pulling out a phonenot Alfred
  • Someone tracking a mix of daily and weekly recurring to-dos in one placenot Alfred

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Alfred

  • There is no official built in AI assistant, so anything AI related depends on a community workflow calling an external API key you supply yourself.
  • The workflow format is older XML and script filters, which is less approachable for a beginner than a modern extension store with typed APIs.
  • It is Mac only, so a user who splits time between Mac and Windows needs a second tool on the other machine.
  • The free tier is quite limited, with no workflows or clipboard history, so most serious users end up paying for the Powerpack anyway.
  • Because upgrades to a new major version are a separate purchase for Single Licence holders, users who skip the Mega Supporter tier can face a further one-time charge every few years.

Streaks

  • It is iOS and Apple Watch only, with no Android version, so it is not usable for anyone outside Apple's ecosystem.
  • The base app caps at 24 tracked habits, which is enough for most users but a real limit for anyone wanting to track a larger number of items.
  • Sync is via iCloud only, so there is no web or cross-platform account, which limits use to Apple devices exclusively.
  • It has fewer social or accountability features, such as shared habit tracking with friends, compared with some subscription-based competitors.
  • A single lifetime purchase means no ongoing development revenue tied to the individual user, so it depends on new sales and occasional priced major updates rather than recurring income to fund development.

Pricing, plan by plan

Alfred

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Basic app and file launching
    • Web searches and system commands
    • No workflows or clipboard history
  • Powerpack Single Licence$34/one-time
    • 1 user on up to 2 Macs
    • Workflows, clipboard history and snippets
    • Free updates within the same major version
  • Powerpack Mega Supporter$59/one-time
    • 1 user on up to 4 Macs
    • Free upgrades to all future major versions
    • Early access to betas

Streaks

$5.99/one-time
  • Streaks$5.99/one-time
    • Full app, no subscription
    • Up to 24 tracked habits
    • Apple Watch app included

Which should you pick?

Choose Alfred if

  • You need workflows.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Mac.
  • You also want clipboard history.
Alfred review

Choose Streaks if

  • You need streak tracking.
  • You work on iOS.
  • You also want apple health integration.
Streaks review

Questions people ask

Is Alfred or Streaks better?
Neither clearly leads. Alfred starts at Free and Streaks at $5.99/one-time, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Alfred or Streaks?
Alfred has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Alfred and $5.99/one-time for Streaks.
Does Alfred or Streaks run on more platforms?
Alfred runs on Mac. Streaks runs on iOS.
Can I use Alfred for free?
Yes. Alfred has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Streaks starts at $5.99/one-time.
What is Alfred best used for?
Alfred is most often used for a developer who wants to trigger scripts, run shell commands and search files from one hotkey without a subscription, a writer who wants text snippets and clipboard history and does not want built in ai, a long time alfred user with a large personal library of custom workflows built up over years, a user who prefers paying once per major version over a recurring monthly charge. Of those, a developer who wants to trigger scripts, run shell commands and search files from one hotkey without a subscription and a writer who wants text snippets and clipboard history and does not want built in ai are not what Streaks is typically brought in for.
What can Alfred do that Streaks cannot?
Alfred covers Workflows, Clipboard history, Snippets, File actions. Streaks covers Streak tracking, Apple Health integration, Apple Watch app, Flexible scheduling.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Alfred: Is Alfred a subscription?

No. The Powerpack is a one-time purchase per major version, or a one-time Mega Supporter purchase that includes all future major version upgrades.

Streaks: Is Streaks a subscription?

No, it is a one-time App Store purchase, currently priced around 5.99 USD, with no recurring fee.

Alfred: Does Alfred replace Spotlight?

It can. Alfred can take over the system-wide hotkey and generally returns results faster with more configurable behaviour than Spotlight.

Streaks: Does it work on Android?

No, it is iOS and Apple Watch only.

Alfred: Does Alfred have AI features?

Not officially built in. Some community workflows add AI chat or completion by calling an external API with a key you provide.

Streaks: Does it integrate with Apple Health?

Yes, habits tied to metrics like steps or sleep can auto-complete based on Apple Health data.

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