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Recoll

recoll.org File Utilities Website

Search documents on desktop systems with Recoll, which uses the Xapian search engine and lists support for several operating systems.

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recoll.org
Recoll homepage screenshot

About Recoll

Recoll is a desktop document search application. It finds documents by their contents as well as their file names, and it can search most document formats. Versions are listed for Linux, Microsoft Windows and macOS. Recoll is built on the Xapian search engine library and uses a Qt graphical interface.

Recoll can search files, archive members and email attachments, and it handles decompression transparently. Matching documents can be opened in a native editor or shown as a quick text preview. Some document types need external applications for text extraction. A Linux AppImage is available and is stated to work on most Linux distributions from around 2019 and newer.

Key features

  • Full-text search of document contents and file names
  • Searches files, archive members and email attachments
  • Transparent handling of compressed archives during indexing
  • Opens matching documents in a native editor or shows a text preview
  • Web front-end with preview and download for remote use
  • Option to index non-alphanumeric characters as separate words
Best for: People who want to search the documents on their own Linux, Windows or macOS computer, including files inside archives and email attachments.
Good for
  • Searches inside archives and email attachments, not only loose files
  • Offers a web front-end that can replace or supplement the desktop interface for remote use
  • Free on Linux according to the homepage
Watch out for
  • Some document formats need external applications for text extraction
  • The homepage reports frequent display issues with Qt on Wayland, with a workaround of switching to X11
  • A 2025 news item reported that upgrading the Ubuntu PPA and local Debian packages did not work, with a reinstall workaround

Recoll at a glance

Website
recoll.org
Type
Website
Pricing
Not confirmed. Check the site
Platforms
Linux, macOS, Web, Windows
Open source
Not stated
Language
English
Last checked
Oct 6, 2026 · Online when checked
Listed
Oct 5, 2026
linuxmacosdownloads

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Recoll FAQ

Can Recoll search inside archives and email attachments?
Yes. The homepage says Recoll can reach files, archive members and email attachments, transparently handling decompression. It gives an example of indexing a Word document attached to an email stored in a Thunderbird folder inside a Zip file.
Do some document types need extra software?
Yes. The homepage says Recoll can search most document formats, but external applications may be needed for text extraction. Detailed requirements for each document type are listed on the site.
Can I use Recoll from another computer?
The homepage describes a web front-end with preview and download features that can replace or supplement the graphical interface for remote use.
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Listing maintained by Chris McClure and the WebIndexly editors · Updated Oct 13, 2026 · How we rank