The Best File Explorer AlternativesTop File Managers & File Search Utilities like File Explorer

File Explorer is described as 'Manage files effortlessly with a graphical interface offering offline access, dark mode, ad-free usage, and zip support, optimized for Windows' and is a very popular File Manager in the file management category. There are more than 100 alternatives to File Explorer for a variety of platforms, including Windows, Mac, Linux, Android and Android Tablet apps. The best File Explorer alternative is Double Commander, which is both free and Open Source. Other great apps like File Explorer are Files, Total Commander, Spacedrive and FreeCommander.

filter to find the best alternatives

File Explorer alternatives are mainly File Managers, but if you're looking for File Search Utilities or FTP Clients you can filter on that. Other popular filters include Open Source, Windows + Free, Windows, Windows + Open Source, Linux, Mac and Free. You can also filter by region, for example EU-based alternatives if you prefer software developed in the European Union. These are just examples - use the filter bar below to find more specific alternatives to File Explorer.
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Alternatives list

  1. Double Commander icon

    Double Commander

     618 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.

    145 Double Commander alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    Double Commander screenshot 1
     
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    3
    Double Commander vs File Explorer Comments
    Guest
    Negative
    0

    It tries too hard to be just a Total Commander replacement. Ultimately it feels like a console interface file manager rather than a GUI file manager with a lot of simple mechanisms in modern GUI-based file managers (not just Windows Explorer!) incredibly hard to replicate.

    Guest
    Negative
    -13

    not contain columns for video settings (video length)

    RemovedUser
    Negative
    -84

    Why 2 windows in one? I just want a directory tree with a pane showing the contents of that directory.

    • Double Commander is Free and Open SourceFile Explorer is Free and Proprietary
    • Double Commander is Privacy focusedFile Explorer is not according to our users
  2. Files icon

    Files

     183 likes

    Advanced Windows file manager offers tabbed browsing, dual-pane drag-and-drop, column navigation, built-in archive creation and extraction, file tagging, QuickLook previews, context menu integration, quick search, and customizable appearance for streamlined organization.

    131 Files alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source (MIT)

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Windows
    Files screenshot 1
     
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    5
    Files vs File Explorer Comments
    Top Positive Comment
    cardinal4
    4

    One of the slowest file managers, taking seconds to navigate between directories.

    On the plus side, its UI is the closest to Windows Explorer, making it easy to get used to Context Menu navigation, Dropbox on-demand sync, navigational side bar etc.

    Qwak66
    Negative
    -6

    It is not free. You have to pay to use it. First "open source" program I found that is not free.

    drtech
    Positive
    0

    I like the clean look and feel of the application. In addition, there is a lot of work being done on it (open source community) which is improving performance and adding features regularly.

    3 of 5 comments
    • Files is Free and Open SourceFile Explorer is Free and Proprietary
    • Files is Privacy focused and CustomizableFile Explorer is not according to our users
  4. Total Commander icon

    Total Commander

     925 likes

    A versatile file manager offering side-by-side dual-pane for intuitive navigation, powerful built-in FTP client, extensive archive format support, robust file comparison tool with editor, advanced multi-rename using regular expressions, and scalable customization options.

    199 Total Commander alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • Android
    • Android Tablet
    Total Commander screenshot 1
     
  5. Spacedrive icon

    Spacedrive

     176 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.

    89 Spacedrive alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    Spacedrive screenshot 1
     
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    1
    Spacedrive vs File Explorer Comments
    Guest
    Negative
    0

    Because it lacks a lot of features. For exemple, it doesn't handle network shares.

    • Spacedrive is Free and Open SourceFile Explorer is Free and Proprietary
    • Spacedrive is Privacy focusedFile Explorer is not according to our users
  7. FreeCommander icon

    FreeCommander

     403 likes

    Dual-panel file manager with tabbed navigation, built-in viewer for multiple formats, ZIP/RAR/7z archive support, folder sync and comparison, batch renaming, search within archives, customizable keyboard shortcuts, DOS command integration, and full portability.

    130 FreeCommander alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • PortableApps.com
    FreeCommander screenshot 1
     
  8. Dolphin File Manager icon

    Dolphin File Manager

     240 likes

    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.

    87 Dolphin File Manager alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • Linux
    • KDE Plasma
    • Flathub
    Dolphin File Manager screenshot 1
     
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    3
    Dolphin File Manager vs File Explorer Comments
    tibi97427
    Negative
    1

    Dolphin is for linux, not for Windows.

    aronkvh
    Positive
    0

    It's amazing on Linux and pretty good on Windows. It's pretty, fast, customizable and has a lot of features.

    stevem109
    Positive
    1

    Dolphin is one of my favorite file managers. The negative comment above is incorrect. "Dolphin is for Linux.............", there is also a Windows version, just not as full featured.

    • Dolphin File Manager is Free and Open SourceFile Explorer is Free and Proprietary
    • Dolphin File Manager is Privacy focusedFile Explorer is not according to our users
  9. Q-Dir icon

    Q-Dir

     202 likes

    Q-Dir makes your files and folder easy to manage. Fast and easy access, with an amazing Quadro-View (4 panes) technique. You dont have to renounce the usual, Drag and Drop, all Views, and other functions of your system. No!

    104 Q-Dir alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • PortableApps.com
    Q-Dir default view on Windows 10
     
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    2
    Q-Dir vs File Explorer Comments
    Erik J
    Positive
    1

    The only file manager I know that let you lay out or tile more than two columns side-by-side. Unfortunately it keeps getting caught as malware by Windows Defender.

    Drconfused
    Positive
    0

    Having up to 4 windows for file exploration and multitab instances in each is a huge benefit to productivity when dealing with many files over a system of folders.

    • Q-Dir is Free and ProprietaryFile Explorer is also Free and Proprietary
    • Q-Dir is CustomizableFile Explorer is not according to our users
  10. Explorer++ icon

    Explorer++

     117 likes

    Explorer++ is a free file manager for Windows. Available on Windows XP and above, it features the same familiar interface as Windows Explorer, while introducing several enhancements and improvements for a much richer file browsing experience.

    99 Explorer++ alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • PortableApps.com
    details view
     
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    2
    Explorer++ vs File Explorer Comments
    Guest
    Positive
    1

    Explorer++ has better features than Windows built-in file manager. Xplorer2 and XYplorer are both better than Explorer++.

    Guest
    Positive
    0

    I enjoy this Explorer. I would say it's the best Explorer who exist.

    • Explorer++ is Free and Open SourceFile Explorer is Free and Proprietary
  11. XYplorer icon

    XYplorer

     213 likes

    Tabbed browsing, dual pane file management, advanced search with filters, scripting and automation, customizable interface, bulk renaming, integrated file preview for various formats, portable operation without installation, user-defined commands, and multi-language support.

    103 XYplorer alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Paid
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Windows
    XYplorer screenshot 1
     
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    3
    XYplorer vs File Explorer Comments
    Guest
    Positive
    3

    I've used only the free version, and its filled of a lot useful functions and tools.

    Guest
    Positive
    0

    It really is a brilliant app with loads of features. I’ve been using it for several years now.

    Guest
    Positive
    1

    Color-coding is a can't-do-without feature once you see it in action.

    • XYplorer is Paid and ProprietaryFile Explorer is Free and Proprietary
    • XYplorer is CustomizableFile Explorer is not according to our users
  12. OneCommander icon

    OneCommander

     181 likes

    Dual-pane Windows file manager with tab support, Miller Columns layout, customizable themes, image converter, regex-based renaming, long Unicode path support, batch operations, metadata display, ToDo notes in folders, file previews, smart clipboard, and robust archive handling.

    108 OneCommander alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Windows
    OneCommander screenshot 1
     
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    2
    OneCommander vs File Explorer Comments
    ichimitch
    Positive
    1

    Most other 'alternatives' to File Explorer are an eye-sore and needlessly convoluted. Onecommander is intuitive and aesthetically pleasing: which is more important than you may think when you're having to spend hours looking at it.

    Guest
    Negative
    0

    Can't close and uninstall without accepting the license

    • OneCommander is Freemium and ProprietaryFile Explorer is Free and Proprietary
  13. Directory Opus icon

    Directory Opus

     230 likes

    Complete Explorer alternative with dual-pane navigation, folder tabs, batch renaming, built-in image and document viewer, portable device access, scriptable interface, archive and metadata support, robust search, color coding, sync tools, and high DPI compatibility.

    95 Directory Opus alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Paid
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Windows
    Dual display (vertical layout) without trees (this is the Commander style). Both file displays are in list mode, showing popup tooltip for an image file.
     
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    2
    Directory Opus vs File Explorer Comments
    Guest
    Positive
    0

    All the FE is and much, much more

    Guest
    Positive
    0

    It has all the features that File Explorer refuses to add.

    • Directory Opus is Paid and ProprietaryFile Explorer is Free and Proprietary
  14. GNOME Files icon

    GNOME Files

     228 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.

    66 GNOME Files alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Linux
    • GNOME
    • MacPorts
    • XQuartz
    • Linux Mobile
    GNOME Files screenshot 1
     
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    4
    GNOME Files vs File Explorer Comments
    ichimitch
    Positive
    0

    Imagine being a Linux user

    ab1
    Negative
    0

    Many missing features like open as admin.

    Guest
    Negative
    0

    nautilus is for linux. file explorer is for windows

    3 of 4 comments
    • GNOME Files is Free and Open SourceFile Explorer is Free and Proprietary
    • GNOME Files is Privacy focusedFile Explorer is not according to our users
12 of 142 File Explorer alternatives