New Mac user

Hi All,

I'm a relatively new Mac user coming from Windows. Though I've used Mac's for work for many many years, I was a very basic user and did not have admin rights or ability to install software so I never invested time into learning macOS. Now that I've purchased a mac min to replace my desktop at home, I'm slowly learning to adopt macOS and all its keyboard shortcuts and built-in functionality. So far loving it.

But one thing I've come across in all my learning, is the widespread use of Alfred/Raycast. That brings me here. I'm just discovering all the convenience of Spotlight so I really haven't found a need for more yet. But Ive also started making my own shortcuts and automaton scripts and think I will eventually start looking for features beyond spotlight.

For a new user that is not invested in either Alfred or Raycast, is Monarch a more user friendly yet feature packed "Spotlight upgrade"?

I'm wondering what the major features that people use in Alfred or Raycast that are not present in Monarch, so I can decide if I even need them at all. I've read all about workflows and extensions.

I know for sure, that I would never pay for a subscription model like Raycast so that makes Monarch appealing.