Spotlight searches everything. Beam takes you where you're going.
Instantly beam where you're going, whether that's an open window, an app, or a browser tab.
Download for MacFree · macOS 13 or later · Signed and notarized
Instant
Results update on every keystroke. The panel opens the moment you press the hotkey.
Open things first
Type “cal” and your Google Calendar tab comes up before the Calendar app. What you already have open is what you meant.
Chrome tabs and groups
Jump straight to a tab or a whole tab group by name, across every Chrome window.
Why Beam
Spotlight is a floodlight: files, web results, calculations, everything at once. Beam is a beam: one narrow job, done instantly. Get to the window, app or tab you meant, and nothing else.
What Beam doesn't do
No file search, calculator, web search or plugins. No telemetry: everything stays on your Mac. Beam does one thing, and does it fast.
Support Beam
Beam is free and nothing is locked. If it saves you time, a suggested $1/month keeps it going. You'll see a gentle reminder now and then, never a nag.
FAQ
How is this different from Spotlight?
Same hotkey, same feel, but Beam only does navigation, so what you meant is always on top. Spotlight stays available from its menu bar icon.
Why does Beam need Accessibility permission?
To list and focus windows of other apps. macOS only allows this with Accessibility access.
Why does it ask to control Chrome?
To read tab titles and tab groups, and to switch to the one you pick. Nothing leaves your Mac.
Does it work with Safari, Arc or Firefox?
Not yet. Chrome only for now.
How do I uninstall it?
Quit Beam from the menu bar and drag it from Applications to the Trash.