Midnight Commander Alternatives for Linux

There are many alternatives to Midnight Commander 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 100 alternatives to Midnight Commander and loads of them are available for Linux so hopefully you can find a suitable replacement. Other interesting Linux alternatives to Midnight Commander are FileZilla, Dolphin File Manager, GNOME Files and Thunar.

Midnight Commander alternatives are mainly File Managers but may also be FTP Clients or File Search Utilities. Filter by these if you want a narrower list of alternatives or looking for a specific functionality of Midnight Commander.

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Midnight Commander

224

Free • Open Source
File Manager

Mac
Windows
Linux
BSD
Cygwin
MacPorts

GNU Midnight Commander is a visual file manager, licensed under GNU General Public License and therefore qualifies as Free...

Learn more about Midnight Commander

Double Commander
Do you think this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
File Manager
File Sync Tool
Windows
Linux
BSD
125 alternatives to Double Commander
Double Commander is a cross-platform open source file manager with two panels side by side. It is inspired by Total Commander and features some new ideas.
Suggest and vote on features
Double Commander Features
1. Batch Rename FilesDouble Commander supports renaming of different types of files or data in large batches.
2. Extensible by Plugins/ExtensionsDouble Commander can be extended with add-ons, plugins and extensions.
3. PortableDouble Commander can be used from a USB stick or similar with no prior installation.
4. Ad-freeDouble Commander doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
5. Dark ModeDouble Commander supports dark mode for comfortable usage in low light conditions.
Dual Pane Support
Configurable
Two-panel file manager
Folder Sync
TC plug-in's support
Multiplatform
Multiple Files Renaming
Support for Keyboard Shortcuts
Multi-tabs
Plug-ins
Double Commander vs Midnight Commander opinions
Most users think Double Commander is a great alternative to Midnight Commander.
FileZilla
Do you think this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Freemium • Open Source
FTP Client
Mac
Windows
Linux
BSD
PortableApps.com
ReactOS
69 alternatives to FileZilla
FileZilla is a powerful FTP-client. It has been designed for ease of use and with support for as many features as possible, while still being fast and reliable.
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FileZilla Features
1. Ad-freeFileZilla doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
2. PortableFileZilla can be used from a USB stick or similar with no prior installation.
3. LightweightFileZilla consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
Support for SFTP
Dedicated Server Hosting
Mounting drives
Bundleware
Be aware that installing FileZilla on your computer might install some bundleware/malware on your machine. See this thread on the FileZilla forum: https://forum.filezilla-project.org/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=48441

FileZilla vs Midnight Commander opinions
This alternative is disputed. FileZilla is still a legitimate alternative to Midnight Commander, but it might have issues that some users think are important.
all • positive • negative relevance • date
Guest
Main priority is managing files on ftp server instead of local. Not File Manager like MC!
Top negative comment•
11

Guest
FileZilla is not a file manager
Negative comment•
0

Guest
FileZilla is NOT a File Manager.
Negative comment•
0

glalejos2
FileZilla is a FTP/SFTP client, without bound to a command line.
Negative comment•
0

Guest
FileZilla is a dedicated ftp-client, and Midnight Commander is a local filesystem manager with FTP being an additional capability.
Negative comment•
0

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5 of 8 comments
Dolphin File Manager
Do you think this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
File Manager
FTP Client
File Renamer
Linux
KDE
Flathub
Windows
71 alternatives to Dolphin File Manager
Dolphin is a file manager for KDE focusing on usability. Has three view modes: Icon, Detail and it used to have Column View like in Finder (it is not available in current version due to problems with maintaibility). Supports FTP, SCP and other protocols. Highly configurable.
Suggest and vote on features
Dolphin File Manager Features
1. LightweightDolphin File Manager consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
2. Batch Rename FilesDolphin File Manager supports renaming of different types of files or data in large batches.
3. Ad-freeDolphin File Manager doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
4. PortableDolphin File Manager can be used from a USB stick or similar with no prior installation.
5. Works OfflineDolphin File Manager can be used without the need to connect to the internet.
6. Live PreviewInstantly see what your files and documents look like as you create them.
7. Dark ModeDolphin File Manager supports dark mode for comfortable usage in low light conditions.
8. No registration requiredYou can use most of the features in Dolphin File Manager without registration.
9. Built-in viewerDolphin File Manager shows you a quick preview of an image, page or file in supported formats.
Split-screen view
Tree view
File preview
Built-in terminal emulation
KDE Plasma integration
Network protocols
Thumbnails
SSH
Remote File Access
Splitted view
GNOME Files
Do you think this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
File Manager
Mac
Linux
MacPorts
XQuartz
58 alternatives to GNOME Files
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.
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GNOME Files Features
1. LightweightGNOME Files consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
2. Dark ModeGNOME Files supports dark mode for comfortable usage in low light conditions.
3. Extensible by Plugins/ExtensionsGNOME Files can be extended with add-ons, plugins and extensions.
Tabbed interface
Favorites
Bookmarks
Thumbnails
Support for FTP
GNOME Files vs Midnight Commander opinions
pros, cons and recent comments
Guest
not two-panelled, not console
Negative comment•
0
Thunar
Do you think this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
File Manager
File Renamer
File Search Utility
Mac
Linux
Xfce
MacPorts
XQuartz
BSD
78 alternatives to Thunar
Thunar is a modern file manager for the Xfce Desktop Environment. Thunar has been designed from the ground up to be fast and easy-to-use. Its user interface is clean, intuitive, and customizable. Thunar is fast and responsive with a good start up time and directory load time.
Suggest and vote on features
Thunar Features
1. Extensible by Plugins/ExtensionsThunar can be extended with add-ons, plugins and extensions.
2. Ad-freeThunar doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
3. No registration requiredYou can use most of the features in Thunar without registration.
4. Live PreviewInstantly see what your files and documents look like as you create them.
5. LightweightThunar consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
6. Works OfflineThunar can be used without the need to connect to the internet.
7. Dark ModeThunar supports dark mode for comfortable usage in low light conditions.
8. Batch Rename FilesThunar supports renaming of different types of files or data in large batches.
9. File TaggingThunar can organize and highlight your files with tags and labels.
Support for Keyboard Shortcuts
Custom Actions
Integrated Search
Auto-delete files
Thumbnail preview
Thumbnails
Built-in viewer
Thunar vs Midnight Commander opinions
pros, cons and recent comments
Guest
Thunar is NOT a file manager with two panels side by side, it has only one.
Negative comment•
0

Guest
Because it is for X, I need a clear console alternative. Like Norton Commander VS Far VS Dos Navigator.
Negative comment•
1
ranger
Do you think this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
File Manager
File Renamer
Mac
Linux
BSD
Cygwin
33 alternatives to ranger
ranger is a 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.
Suggest and vote on features
ranger Features
1. Command line interfaceranger either have CLI support or is a CLI-only app.
Console-based
Multi Column View
Vim key mapping
Vim
Miller columns
Tui
fman
Do you think this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Freemium • Proprietary
File Manager
Mac
Windows
Linux
99 alternatives to fman
The most modern dual-pane file manager. For Windows, Mac and Linux.
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fman Features
1. Extensible by Plugins/Extensionsfman can be extended with add-ons, plugins and extensions.
Plugin API
Dual Pane Support
Keyboard Shortcuts
muCommander
Do you think this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
File Manager
Mac
Windows
Linux
Online
BSD
Java
100 alternatives to muCommander
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...).
Suggest and vote on features
muCommander Features
1. Dark ModemuCommander supports dark mode for comfortable usage in low light conditions.
2. No registration requiredYou can use most of the features in muCommander without registration.
3. PortablemuCommander can be used from a USB stick or similar with no prior installation.
Dual Pane Support
SSH
Spacedrive
Do you think this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
File Manager
Mac
Windows
Linux
55 alternatives to Spacedrive
Organize files across many devices in one place. From cloud services to offline hard drives, Spacedrive combines the storage capacity and processing power of your devices into one personal distributed cloud, that is both secure and intuitive to use.
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Spacedrive Features
Filesystem
Rust
SpaceFM
Do you think this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
File Manager
Linux
37 alternatives to SpaceFM
SpaceFM is a multi-panel tabbed file and desktop manager for Linux with built-in VFS, udev- or HAL-based device manager, customisable menu system, and bash integration. SpaceFM aims to provide a stable, capable file manager with significant customisation capabilities.
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SpaceFM Features
Multi panel
Gtk
Customization
Discontinued
Last update was in 2018.