Skip to content

HoudahSpot

Find files faster

HoudahSpot is a Mac file-search app for you when filenames alone aren’t enough. You can track down files using remembered text, file properties, and specific locations.

by Houdah Software s.à r.l. · 98% positive (928)

Get it on Setapp Developer website ↗
Helps you Find files fast 15 Preview files without opening 32

What you get

Find the right file even when you don’t remember its name.

HoudahSpot helps you find files on your Mac from the details you do remember. You can search for words inside a file, then narrow the results by date, size, tags, author, or image resolution. You can also limit your search to chosen locations and leave unrelated folders out.

You can check whether a result is the right one before opening it. Quick Look and text previews let you inspect its contents, while highlighted search terms help you spot relevant passages. You choose which details appear alongside results, such as file paths, creation dates, or sizes, so you can compare likely matches.

If you regularly hunt for the same kinds of files, you can save your search criteria as templates rather than rebuild them each time. That gives you a repeatable starting point for searches such as audio files with a particular genre, composer, or bit rate.

  • Find without a filename

    You can use remembered words and file properties to locate files whose names you’ve forgotten.

  • Reduce irrelevant results

    You can combine criteria and search only selected locations to narrow down likely matches.

  • Check before opening

    You can preview contents and see highlighted search terms to confirm whether you’ve found the right file.

  • Reuse your search setup

    You can save recurring search criteria as templates instead of setting them up again.

Best for

  • You remember a file’s contents but not its name
  • You need to distinguish between many similar files
  • You repeat searches using specific file properties

Skip it if

You don’t need it if basic filename searches already find everything you need.

Screenshots

HoudahSpot screenshot 1 HoudahSpot screenshot 2 HoudahSpot screenshot 3

From the developer

HoudahSpot is an app that enhances file search on Mac. Go beyond simple keyword search. HoudahSpot lets you combine various criteria, search across specific locations, preview files, save searches as templates, and more. Get your hands on hard-to-find files in seconds.
Read the full description

Alternatives to HoudahSpot

Other apps to find files fast. See all

Kepter A Finder alternative: a drawer of your files you recognise on sight. Sold separately Trickster Quickly access recent files Setapp 96% · 180 ratings Monarch Launch apps faster Setapp 100% · 47 ratings Keep It Shot Rename screenshots with AI Setapp 73% · 245 ratings Lacona Tell your Mac what to do Setapp 74% · 72 ratings PDF Content Search Search inside scanned files Sold separately