Thunar Alternatives for Linux

There are many alternatives to Thunar for Linux if you are looking for a replacement. The best Linux alternative is Double Commander, which is both free and Open Source. If that doesn't suit you, our users have ranked more than 50 alternatives to Thunar and many of them are available for Linux so hopefully you can find a suitable replacement. Other interesting Linux alternatives to Thunar are Spacedrive, Dolphin File Manager, GNOME Files and Midnight Commander.

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Thunar alternatives page was last updated

Alternatives list

  1. Double Commander icon
     602 likes

    Open-source file manager with dual-panel interface, inspired by Total Commander. Supports plugin use, advanced search, tabbed browsing, and runs smoothly with background operations. Unicode and multi-platform compatibility enhance its versatility.

    131 Double Commander alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
     
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    1
    Double Commander vs Thunar Comments
    Guest
    Positive
    1

    Two panels; fine customizable color-themes (you can change the colors of files and directories by its file-types and attributes, for example links, directories, executables, or just for *.pdf files and other file-types); supporting of the mounting and unmounting; and many many more...

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    • Double Commander is Free and Open SourceThunar is also Free and Open Source
    • Double Commander is Privacy focusedThunar is not according to our users
  2. Spacedrive icon
     154 likes

    Open-source file explorer integrates cloud, local, and offline storage across devices using a secure virtual distributed filesystem in Rust, enabling unified management, file syncing, privacy control, intuitive interface, and ownership without centralized servers.

    78 Spacedrive alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
     
  3. Usability-focused file manager for KDE desktops offering tabbed and dual-pane browsing, archive support, quick file renaming, filter-based searching, customizable icons, theme adaptation, preview modes, and extensibility with various service integrations.

    80 Dolphin File Manager alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • Linux
    • KDE Plasma
    • Flathub
     
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    1
    Dolphin File Manager vs Thunar Comments
    ZeroNet_io
    Positive
    0

    Dolphin and Nemo are better than Thunar and Nautilus in my opinion. It better preserve user selected layout and easier to configure with more options.

    • Dolphin File Manager is Free and Open SourceThunar is also Free and Open Source
    • Dolphin File Manager is Privacy focusedThunar is not according to our users
  4. GNOME Files icon
     222 likes

    GNOME Files, formerly known as Nautilus, is the official file manager for the GNOME desktop, giving the user a simple way to navigate and manage its files.

    64 GNOME Files alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Linux
    • GNOME
    • MacPorts
    • XQuartz
     
  5. Text-mode file manager for terminals with dual-pane interface enables copying, moving, deleting, and searching files locally or via remote shells. Includes internal viewer, text editor, subshell integration, broad terminal compatibility, and works over SSH.

    106 Midnight Commander alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    • Cygwin
    • MacPorts
     
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    1
    Midnight Commander vs Thunar Comments
    Guest
    Positive
    -1

    No I don't have enough experience of Thunar but Midnight Commander is for me a good alternative to a lot of things.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    • Midnight Commander is Free and Open SourceThunar is also Free and Open Source
    • Midnight Commander is MinimalisticThunar is not according to our users
  6. Superfile icon
     34 likes

    Terminal-based file manager offering a modern, customizable interface with split-screen panels, full keyboard shortcut support, fast file operations, offline access, privacy features, no ads, plugin extensibility, night mode, cross-platform compatibility, and open source code.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source (MIT)

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
     
  7. Nemo icon
     78 likes

    Nemo is the official file manager for the Linux Mint operating system running the Cinnamon desktop. It re-introduced several features removed from the file manager Nautilus, from which it originated.

    22 Nemo alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Linux
     
  8. muCommander icon
     125 likes

    muCommander is a lightweight, cross-platform file manager with a dual-pane interface. It runs on any operating system with Java support (Mac OS X, Windows, Linux, *BSD, Solaris...).

    109 muCommander alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • BSD
    • Java
     
  9. ranger icon
     58 likes

    Terminal file manager with VI key bindings. It provides a minimalistic and nice curses interface with a view on the directory hierarchy. The secondary task of ranger is to psychically guess which program you want to use for opening particular files.

    33 ranger alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Linux
    • BSD
    • Cygwin
     
  10. PCMan File Manager (PCManFM) is a file manager application, developed by Hong Jen Yee from Taiwan, which is meant to be a replacement for GNOME Files, Dolphin and Thunar. PCManFM is the standard file manager in LXDE, also developed by the same author in conjunction with other...

    Cost / License

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • LXDE
    • GTK
     
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    1
    PCMan File Manager vs Thunar Comments
    Guest
    Positive
    -1

    fast and reliable, and easy to use

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    • PCMan File Manager is Free and Open SourceThunar is also Free and Open Source
12 of 36 Thunar alternatives