File Explorer AlternativesOnly apps categorised as FTP Clients

The best FTP Client alternative to File Explorer is Total Commander, which is free. If that doesn't suit you, our users have ranked more than 100 alternatives to File Explorer and 13 are FTP Clients so hopefully you can find a suitable replacement. Other interesting FTP Client alternatives to File Explorer are Dolphin File Manager, GNOME Files, Directory Opus and ForkLift.

filter to find the best alternatives

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

    Total Commander

     905 likes
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    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.

    177 Total Commander alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium (Pay once)
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • Android
    • Android Tablet
    Total Commander screenshot 1
     
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    31

    • Most users think Total Commander is a great File Explorer alternative.

    • Total Commander is the most popular Android & Android Tablet alternative to File Explorer.

    • Total Commander is Freemium and ProprietaryFile Explorer is Free and Proprietary
    • Total Commander is CustomizableFile Explorer is not according to our users
  2. Dolphin File Manager icon

    Dolphin File Manager

     222 likes
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    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.

    78 Dolphin File Manager alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • KDE Plasma
    • Flathub
    • Windows
    Dolphin File Manager screenshot 1
     
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    13
    Comments about Dolphin File Manager as an Alternative to File Explorer
    tibi97427
    Negative
    2

    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
    0

    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.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    File Explorer Icon
    Dolphin File Manager icon

    • Most users think Dolphin File Manager is a great File Explorer alternative.

    • 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
  4. GNOME Files icon

    GNOME Files

     220 likes
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    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

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Linux
    • GNOME
    • MacPorts
    • XQuartz
    GNOME Files screenshot 1
     
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    4
    12
    Comments about GNOME Files as an Alternative to File Explorer
    ichimitch
    Positive
    0

    Imagine being a Linux user

    Guest
    Negative
    1

    nautilus is for linux. file explorer is for windows

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    ab1
    Negative
    0

    Many missing features like open as admin.

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    3 of 4 comments
    File Explorer Icon
    GNOME Files icon

    • Some users think GNOME Files is a great File Explorer alternative, some don't.

    • GNOME Files is Free and Open SourceFile Explorer is Free and Proprietary
    • GNOME Files is Privacy focusedFile Explorer is not according to our users
  5. Directory Opus icon

    Directory Opus

     224 likes
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    Directory Opus is a complete replacement for Explorer, with far more power and functionality than any other file manager available today.

    85 Directory Opus alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Pay once
    • 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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    22
    Comments about Directory Opus as an Alternative to File Explorer
    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.
    File Explorer Icon
    Directory Opus icon

    • Most users think Directory Opus is a great File Explorer alternative.

    • Directory Opus is Paid and ProprietaryFile Explorer is Free and Proprietary
  7. Commander One icon

    Commander One

     73 likes
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    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.

    91 Commander One alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium (Pay once)
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    Commander One screenshot 1
     
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    1
    Comments about Commander One as an Alternative to File Explorer
    RemovedUser
    Negative
    -5

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

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    File Explorer Icon
    Commander One icon
    • Commander One is Freemium and ProprietaryFile Explorer is Free and Proprietary
  9. Unreal Commander icon

    Unreal Commander

     60 likes
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    Very powerfull two-panel interface commander. Unreal Commander has UNICODE support, Extended search of files, Multi-rename tool, Synchronization of directories, Support of archives ZIP, RAR, ACE, CAB, JAR, TAR, LHA, GZ, TGZ , Built-in FTP client, Folder tabs, Support of...

    73 Unreal Commander alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium (Pay once)
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Windows
    Unreal Commander screenshot 1
     
  10. InShot File Manager icon

    InShot File Manager

     1 like
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    File Manager, a powerful & easy-to-use file manager & file explorer with desktop-grade features, helps you handle ALL your files efficiently.

    Cost / License

    • Freemium (Pay once)
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Android
    • Android Tablet
    InShot File Manager screenshot 1
    InShot File Manager screenshot 2
    InShot File Manager screenshot 3
     
  12. EF Commander icon

    EF Commander

     2 likes
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    EF Commander is a file manager for the Windows 95/98/Me, Windows NT 4.0, Windows 2000, Window XP and Windows Vista desktop. If youve ever used and liked Norton Commander, youll like this dual-windowed program, which comes complete with bubble and online help.

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Windows
    EF Commander screenshot 1
     
  13. DCommander icon

    DCommander

     5 likes
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    DCommander is a two-pane file manager that gives you full control over your computer's filesystem.

    Cost / License

    • Pay once
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    DCommander screenshot 1
     
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    1
    Comments about DCommander as an Alternative to File Explorer
    RemovedUser
    Negative
    -1

    Why two panels? You usually only work with one. Open another window side-by-side if you need two.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    File Explorer Icon
    DCommander icon
    • DCommander is Paid and ProprietaryFile Explorer is Free and Proprietary
    • DCommander is CustomizableFile Explorer is not according to our users
  14. Just Manager icon

    Just Manager

     15 likes
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    Just Manager is a feature packed, versatile, multi-tabbed multi-pane file manager for the Windows operating system. It is available in both x86 and x64 versions. Despite its many features it is relatively small and efficient.

    60 Just Manager alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Alerts

    • Discontinued

    Platforms

    • Windows
    Just Manager screenshot 1
     
12 of 13 File Explorer alternatives