IkunaIkuna vs Lavelo
Both switch between named work contexts. Lavelo is a fast app and URL launcher. Ikuna captures and restores the full layout — and adds focus analytics on top.
Lavelo and Ikuna both help you switch between named work contexts on Mac, but they approach the problem differently. Lavelo is a context launcher: you define which apps, files, URLs, and browser profiles belong to a context, and it opens them in about 40 ms. It's privacy-first (Rust/Tauri, zero telemetry), offers optional local AI suggestions, and costs $49 once. What Lavelo doesn't do, by its own description, is save and restore window positions — it opens apps and URLs but doesn't manage where they land on screen. Ikuna captures and restores a complete layout (window positions across monitors included), and adds a focus-analytics dashboard and Focus Shield distraction blocking. They're closest to each other in intent but meaningfully different in what they actually restore.
Side by side
| Ikuna | Lavelo | |
|---|---|---|
| Launches apps + URLs + files | Yes | Yes — core feature |
| Restores window positions | Yes | Not stated in product description |
| Restores browser tabs | Yes | Opens URLs / browser profiles |
| Context switch speed | < 3 s (full layout restore) | ~40 ms (launches apps/URLs) |
| Local AI suggestions | No | Yes — BYOK |
| Focus analytics | Yes | No |
| Distraction blocking | Yes — Focus Shield | No |
| Rituals (wallpaper, sound cue) | Yes | No |
| Privacy / telemetry | Local analytics | Zero telemetry, local data only |
| Tech stack | Native macOS (Swift) | Rust + Tauri, no Electron |
| Pricing | Free tier · Pro €9/mo | $49 one-time (early access pricing) |
| macOS requirement | 13+ | Not specified |
Where Ikuna has the advantage
Window positions are part of the restore
Lavelo launches apps and URLs but doesn't appear to save or restore window positions. Ikuna captures the full layout — where every window lives across all monitors — and rebuilds it exactly.
Focus analytics and distraction blocking
Lavelo is a fast launcher. Ikuna adds a dashboard showing your context-switching patterns and a Focus Shield that blocks distracting apps during focus sessions.
Where Lavelo has the advantage
Much faster context switch
Lavelo claims ~40 ms to switch context. Ikuna's restore takes up to 3 seconds because it's rebuilding a full window layout, not just launching apps.
Local AI suggestions
Lavelo includes optional AI-powered context suggestions using your own API key. Ikuna doesn't offer AI-assisted context management.
One-time price, privacy-first
Lavelo is $49 once, with zero telemetry and all data stored locally. Ikuna Pro is a subscription and does collect usage analytics (with consent).
The bottom line
Lavelo is a fast, private, one-time-purchase context launcher — if your main need is opening the right set of apps and URLs quickly without a subscription, it's a strong option. Ikuna's advantage is restoring the full window layout and providing focus analytics and distraction blocking. They're close enough in intent that the right pick depends on whether window positioning and focus insight matter to you.
Frequently asked questions
Does Lavelo restore window positions?
Lavelo's product description focuses on launching apps, files, and URLs into the right context. It doesn't describe saving or restoring window positions. Ikuna explicitly captures and restores window layout as part of a saved context.
Lavelo is much faster — why does Ikuna take 3 seconds?
The difference is what each tool is doing. Lavelo launches apps and URLs but doesn't restore a full window layout. Ikuna rebuilds the complete environment — every window, in the right position, across all monitors. That rebuild takes a few seconds by nature.
Is Lavelo or Ikuna better for privacy?
Lavelo is explicitly zero-telemetry and stores everything locally. Ikuna's focus analytics are stored locally, but it does collect product analytics (PostHog, GA4) with user consent. Lavelo wins on privacy.
Can I use both?
Potentially yes. Lavelo opens apps quickly; Ikuna adds window layout restore and analytics. In practice they overlap on 'switch context with a shortcut' but differ enough that combining them is feasible.