What gets indexed
Filename, full path, file kind, file size, and file dates used by search/results views.
What if Finder Search worked?
Simply Search.app
Finder search, minus the guessing.
A live, searchable list of all the files you care about across local folders, removable drives, and network volumes. Search once, see everything, and stop opening ten Finder windows to find one file.
Built for Apple Silicon, because I was tired of the Finder Recents view and search being useless.
See exactly how indexing works: How It Works. Want real examples? Real Workflows.
How it works
Live updates.
Simply Search builds a metadata index on your Mac so filename search stays fast and predictable. It tracks what changed and updates results in place, so you are not waiting around for a full rescan every time you plug in a drive.
Want the full breakdown? Read How It Works. Want practical examples? Real Workflows.
Stop thinking about where
Start thinking about what
You should be searching for a file name, not remembering a folder maze from six months ago. Simply Search keeps one list of your files so you can sort, filter, and move on.
See these in real use: Real Workflows.
Local, Network, and Removable files in one list
If a file exists in your chosen roots, it belongs in results. Internal SSD, USB drive, or network share, same table, same search box.
- Local, network, and removable roots are treated the same.
- One searchable list instead of split Finder contexts.
- Live updates keep results current while you work.
Duplicate cleanup without chaos
Got ten copies of the same file in six places? Compare them side-by-side, decide what stays, and combine with less risk and less clicking.
- Review duplicate candidates before taking action.
- Copy all duplicate paths in one move.
- Open each file location in Finder instantly.
Date filtering that actually helps
Need the file from "around 2018" or "sometime last month"? Use date-modified range filtering and narrow fast.
- Filter by date-modified range from the main search flow.
- Jump to a year, month, or custom range.
- Combine date filters with filename search for faster narrowing.
Privacy
Only your Mac can read it.
Simply Search keeps its index on-device and is tuned for fast, reliable search across your selected roots. The app stays focused on speed, clarity, and predictable results.
- No phoning homeYour index stays on your Mac.
- Metadata onlyFilenames, paths, sizes, kinds, and dates.
- Responsive searchBuilt for fast lookup while you work.
- Encrypted at restIndex data is stored with AES-256 encryption.
Full data model and processing details: How It Works
Comparison
Finder/Spotlight vs Simply Search
Finder is great for browsing. Simply Search is for when you need reliable, cross-volume filename search right now.
- Search scopeFinder/Spotlight: context-dependent. Simply Search: all selected roots in one query.
- Network + removable parityFinder/Spotlight: inconsistent by location. Simply Search: same search behavior across root types.
- Duplicate cleanupFinder/Spotlight: mostly manual folder hopping. Simply Search: duplicate workflows with compare + combine.
- Date narrowingFinder/Spotlight: possible but clunky for repeated use. Simply Search: quick date-modified range filtering.
- Path actionsFinder/Spotlight: many clicks. Simply Search: copy/open actions in-place.
Use both. Browse in Finder. Hunt in Simply Search.
Need real examples? Read Real Workflows.
14-Day Free Trial
If it saves you time, keep it forever with a one-time purchase.
Learn more before downloading: learn about Real Workflows and How It Works.