File Explorer AlternativesOnly apps categorised as File Search Utilities

The best File Search alternative to File Explorer is Files, which is both free and Open Source. If that doesn't suit you, our users have ranked more than 100 alternatives to File Explorer and many of them are File Search Utilities so hopefully you can find a suitable replacement. Other interesting File Search Utility alternatives to File Explorer are Total Commander, FreeCommander, XYplorer and OneCommander.

filter to find the best alternatives

File Explorer alternatives are mainly File Search Utilities, but if you're looking for File Managers or File Renamers you can filter on that. Other popular filters include Open Source, Windows, Windows + Open Source, Linux, Free, Windows + Free and File Management. 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. Files icon

    Files

     163 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.

    119 Files alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source (MIT)

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Windows
    Files screenshot 1
     
    |
    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.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    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
  2. Total Commander icon

    Total Commander

     910 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.

    180 Total Commander alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • Android
    • Android Tablet
    Total Commander screenshot 1
     
  4. FreeCommander icon

    FreeCommander

     397 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.

    116 FreeCommander alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • PortableApps.com
    FreeCommander screenshot 1
     
  5. XYplorer icon

    XYplorer

     210 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.

    94 XYplorer alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Windows
    XYplorer screenshot 1
     
    |
    2
    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.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Guest
    Positive
    1

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

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    • XYplorer is Freemium and ProprietaryFile Explorer is Free and Proprietary
    • XYplorer is CustomizableFile Explorer is not according to our users
  6. OneCommander icon

    OneCommander

     173 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.

    94 OneCommander alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Windows
    OneCommander screenshot 1
     
    |
    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

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    • OneCommander is Freemium and ProprietaryFile Explorer is Free and Proprietary
  7. Directory Opus icon

    Directory Opus

     227 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.

    86 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.
     
    |
    2
    Directory Opus vs File Explorer Comments
    Guest
    Positive
    0

    All the FE is and much, much more

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Guest
    Positive
    0

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

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    • Directory Opus is Paid and ProprietaryFile Explorer is Free and Proprietary
  9. Thunar icon

    Thunar

     148 likes

    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.

    88 Thunar alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Linux
    • BSD
    • Xfce
    • MacPorts
    • XQuartz
    Thunar screenshot 1
     
  10. Sigma File Manager icon

    Sigma File Manager

     33 likes

    Sigma File Manager is a free, open-source, quickly evolving, modern file manager (explorer / finder) app for Windows and Linux.

    69 Sigma File Manager alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • Linux
    Sigma File Manager screenshot 1
     
    |
    1
    Sigma File Manager vs File Explorer Comments
    Guest
    Positive
    0

    Amazing alternative to explorer.exe sleek and full featured. Certainly worth trying out!

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    • Sigma File Manager is Free and Open SourceFile Explorer is Free and Proprietary
    • Sigma File Manager is Privacy focusedFile Explorer is not according to our users
  11. xplorer² icon

    xplorer²

     104 likes

    xplorer² is a desktop file manager combining the simplicity of Windows explorer with the speed and efficiency of traditional dual pane file managers.

    93 xplorer² alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Paid
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Windows
    xplorer² screenshot 1
     
    |
    3
    xplorer² vs File Explorer Comments
    Guest
    Positive
    0

    Lightweight, full-feature customizable file manager

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Guest
    Positive
    1

    Very powerfull Explorer replacement, with tons of additional services, tabbed interface, flat navigation, favorite folders and views, long etc.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    w-y
    Positive
    1

    Customizable, clean, powerful. The only alternative for Windows

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    • xplorer² is Paid and ProprietaryFile Explorer is Free and Proprietary
  13. Commander One icon

    Commander One

     73 likes

    Commander One is dual-pane file manager for OS X created in Swift, which enables you to manage your files in the best possible way.

    92 Commander One alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    Commander One screenshot 1
     
    |
    1
    Commander One vs File Explorer Comments
    RemovedUser
    Negative
    -5

    Is there a choice for single-pane? Or would that be Commander Two?

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    • Commander One is Freemium and ProprietaryFile Explorer is Free and Proprietary
  14. oMega Commander icon

    oMega Commander

     51 likes

    Innovative, convenient, fast, feature-packed File Manager, with a unique, powerful and, at the same time, familiar and easy to use interface, designed for all users.

    Cost / License

    • Paid
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Windows
    Standard window with a customized user under itself ribbon. Silver theme.
     
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