Wren vs Raycast
Raycast is a capable launcher with a big extension store. Wren is for people who want something smaller and faster, with AI on their own terms, and who’d rather own their launcher than rent it.
AI with your own key
In Wren, using your own API key (or a model on your own Mac) is part of every plan, including the one-off Lifetime licence. In Raycast, bring-your-own-key AI is a Raycast Pro feature (as of November 2026).
Own it, or subscribe
Wren Lifetime is one payment. Wren Pro adds built-in AI, and even Pro ends with you owning Wren: the yearly plan includes a lifetime licence, the monthly one after 12 payments.
Understands what you type
Wren reads intent rather than commands: 5 km, 100 usd, 31 jan + 1 month, 3pm london in tokyo and questions all just work, with the likely completion shown as ghost text. Date maths is honest about months that are short.
Small and native
Wren is a native Swift app that opens in a few milliseconds and keeps every keystroke under 1.5 ms. Your usage history stays on your Mac.
Where Raycast is ahead
Raycast has a large extension store and team features. Wren’s extension system is still to come.