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, 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. Total Commander icon
     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
     
  2. 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.

    79 Dolphin File Manager alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • Linux
    • KDE Plasma
    • Flathub
     
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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.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    • 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
  3. GNOME Files icon
     222 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.

    64 GNOME Files alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Linux
    • GNOME
    • MacPorts
    • XQuartz
     
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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

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    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
  4. Directory Opus icon
     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
     
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    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
  5. Commander One icon
     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
     
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    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
  6. 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...

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Windows
     
  7. 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
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Android
    • Android Tablet
     
  8. File manager with two file windows, file preview, FTP and ZIP support, an editor, photo management and many wizards. Very fast file operations due to 64 bit architecture.

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Proprietary

    Platforms

    • Windows
     
  9. EF Commander icon
     2 likes

    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.

    66 EF Commander alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Windows
     
  10. DCommander icon
     5 likes

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

    Cost / License

    • Paid
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
     
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    1
    DCommander vs File Explorer Comments
    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.
    • DCommander is Paid and ProprietaryFile Explorer is Free and Proprietary
    • DCommander is CustomizableFile Explorer is not according to our users
  11. Just Manager icon
     15 likes

    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
     
12 of 13 File Explorer alternatives