The Best File Explorer AlternativesTop File Managers and other similar apps 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, Linux, Mac, 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 Total Commander, Files, FreeCommander and Q-Dir.
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File Explorer alternatives are mainly File Managers but may also be File Search Utilities or FTP Clients. Other popular filters includes Windows + Open Source and Windows + Free. Filter by these or use the filter bar below if you want a narrower list of alternatives or looking for a specific functionality of File Explorer.- File Manager
- Free • Proprietary
- 560 likes134 Double Commander alternatives
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.
License model
- Free • Open Source
Application types
Platforms
- Mac
- Windows
- Linux
- BSD
Double Commander VS File Explorer
Is Double Commander a good alternative to File Explorer? - 884 likes177 Total Commander alternatives
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.
License model
- Freemium • Proprietary
Application types
Platforms
- Windows
- Android
- Android Tablet
Total Commander VS File Explorer
Is Total Commander a good alternative to File Explorer? - 113 likes119 Files alternatives
Introducing Files, the ultimate file manager app for Windows. With its sleek and intuitive design, navigating through your files has never been easier. Files features tabs for easy switching between different folders, a column view for quick file browsing, and dual pane support...
Files VS File Explorer
Is Files a good alternative to File Explorer?Comments about Files as an Alternative to File Explorer
cardinal4One 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.
2Qwak66It is not free. You have to pay to use it. First "open source" program I found that is not free.
0drtechI 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.
0 - 388 likes113 FreeCommander alternatives
FreeCommander is an easy-to-use alternative to the standard windows file manager. The program helps you with daily work in Windows. Here you can find all the necessary functions to manage your data stock.
License model
- Freemium • Proprietary
Application types
Platforms
- Windows
- PortableApps.com
Top FreeCommander Features
FreeCommander VS File Explorer
Is FreeCommander a good alternative to File Explorer? - 195 likes93 Q-Dir alternatives
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!
Q-Dir VS File Explorer
Is Q-Dir a good alternative to File Explorer?Comments about Q-Dir as an Alternative to File Explorer
Erik JThe 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.
1DrconfusedHaving 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.
0 - 123 likes70 Spacedrive alternatives
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.
Spacedrive VS File Explorer
Is Spacedrive a good alternative to File Explorer?Comments about Spacedrive as an Alternative to File Explorer
Because it lacks a lot of features. For exemple, it doesn't handle network shares.
0 - 108 likes88 Explorer++ alternatives
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.
Explorer++ VS File Explorer
Is Explorer++ a good alternative to File Explorer?Comments about Explorer++ as an Alternative to File Explorer
Explorer++ has better features than Windows built-in file manager. Xplorer2 and XYplorer are both better than Explorer++.
1I enjoy this Explorer. I would say it's the best Explorer who exist.
0 - 196 likes80 Dolphin File Manager alternatives
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.
Dolphin File Manager VS File Explorer
Is Dolphin File Manager a good alternative to File Explorer?Comments about Dolphin File Manager as an Alternative to File Explorer
tibi97427Dolphin is for linux, not for Windows.
1aronkvhIt's amazing on Linux and pretty good on Windows. It's pretty, fast, customizable and has a lot of features.
0stevem109Dolphin 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.
0 - 203 likes91 XYplorer alternatives
XYplorer is a file manager for Windows. It features tabbed browsing, a powerful file search, a versatile preview, a highly customizable interface, optional dual pane, scripting engine, and a large array of unique ways to efficiently automate frequently recurring tasks.
Top XYplorer Features
XYplorer VS File Explorer
Is XYplorer a good alternative to File Explorer?Comments about XYplorer as an Alternative to File Explorer
I've used only the free version, and its filled of a lot useful functions and tools.
3Color-coding is a can't-do-without feature once you see it in action.
1 - 162 likes88 OneCommander alternatives
Free dual-pane file manager for Windows featuring tabs, columns, themes, long filename support, image converter, regex renaming and many other unique features.
OneCommander VS File Explorer
Is OneCommander a good alternative to File Explorer?Comments about OneCommander as an Alternative to File Explorer
ichimitchMost 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.
1
Comments about Double Commander as an Alternative to File Explorer
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.
not contain columns for video settings (video length)
Why 2 windows in one? I just want a directory tree with a pane showing the contents of that directory.