Free File Explorer Alternatives

The best free alternative to File Explorer is Double Commander, which is also Open Source. If that doesn't suit you, our users have ranked more than 100 alternatives to File Explorer and loads of them is free so hopefully you can find a suitable replacement. Other interesting free alternatives to 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 Explorer iconFile Explorer
  231
  • ...

Manage files effortlessly with a graphical interface offering offline access, dark mode, ad-free usage, and zip support, optimized for Windows.

More about File Explorer
More about File Explorer
File Explorer alternatives page was last updated Feb 13, 2025
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  1. PCMan File Manager icon
    PCMan File Manager icon

    PCMan File Manager

     58 likes
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    PCMan File Manager (PCManFM) is a file manager application, developed by Hong Jen Yee from Taiwan, which is meant to be a replacement for GNOME Files, Dolphin and Thunar. PCManFM is the standard file manager in LXDE, also developed by the same author in conjunction with other...

    44 PCMan File Manager alternatives
    PCMan File Manager screenshot 1

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • LXDE
    • GTK

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight

    Features

    1.  Tree view
    2.  Tabbed browsing
    PCMan File Manager screenshot 1
    PCMan File Manager screenshot 2
    PCMan File Manager iconFile Explorer Icon

    PCMan File Manager VS File Explorer

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  2. Altap Salamander icon
    Altap Salamander icon

    Altap Salamander

     50 likes
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    A small and two-pane file manager with open plugin architecture. Has the ability to view content of files (text, html, over 40 picture formats, mp3), support for archives (zip, rar, arj, cab, tar/gzip, etc.), and (S)FTP support.

    50 Altap Salamander alternatives
    Altap Salamander screenshot 1

    License model

    • Free • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Windows
    Altap Salamander screenshot 1

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight

    Features

    1.  Dual Pane Support
    2.  Extensible by Plugins/Extensions
    3.  SSH
    4.  Support for SFTP
    5.  Works Offline
    6.  Ad-free
    7.  No registration required
    8.  Built-in viewer
    Altap Salamander iconFile Explorer Icon

    Altap Salamander VS File Explorer

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  4. fman icon
    fman icon

    fman

     232 likes
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    The most modern dual-pane file manager. For Windows, Mac and Linux.

    107 fman alternatives
    Demonstration

    License model

    • Freemium • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux

    fman Features

    1.  Extensible by Plugins/Extensions
    2.  Plugin API
    3.  Dual Pane Support
    4.  Keyboard Shortcuts
    fman screenshot 1
    fman screenshot 2
    fman iconFile Explorer Icon

    fman VS File Explorer

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  5. Files by Google icon
    Files by Google icon

    Files by Google

     15 likes
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    Free up space on your phone.

    111 Files by Google alternatives
    Files by Google screenshot 1
    Files by Google screenshot 2
    +4
    Files by Google screenshot 3

    License model

    • Free • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Android
    • Android Tablet

    Files by Google Features

    1.  Works Offline
    2.  Dark Mode
    3. Google Drive icon  Google Drive integration
    Files by Google iconFile Explorer Icon

    Files by Google VS File Explorer

    Is Files by Google a good alternative to File Explorer?
     
  6. Cairo Shell icon
    Cairo Shell icon

    Cairo Shell

     47 likes
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    Cairo is a desktop environment for Windows. Its goal is to develop a desktop experience that increases productivity and advances current technology standards.

    42 Cairo Shell alternatives
    Cairo Shell screenshot 1

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Windows
    Cairo Shell screenshot 1
    Cairo Shell screenshot 2
    +2
    Cairo Shell screenshot 3
    Cairo Shell iconFile Explorer Icon

    Cairo Shell VS File Explorer

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  7. Index (Maui Applications) icon
    Index (Maui Applications) icon

    Index (Maui Applications)

     11 likes
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    Index is a convergent file manager, it the user with a simple way to navigate and manage files. Index incorporates features such as miller columns, embedded terminal, split views, file previews, experimental WebDAV support, tags.

    59 Index (Maui Applications) alternatives
    Index (Maui Applications) screenshot 1

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • Android
    • AppImageHub
    • Linux Mobile
    • Plasma Mobile
    • Flatpak
    • Flathub

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight

    Features

    1.  Dark Mode
    2.  File Tagging
    3.  Fast file and folder search
    Index (Maui Applications) screenshot 1
    Index (Maui Applications) screenshot 2
    +3
    Index (Maui Applications) screenshot 3
    Index (Maui Applications) iconFile Explorer Icon

    Index (Maui Applications) VS File Explorer

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  9. trolCommander icon
    trolCommander icon

    trolCommander

     54 likes
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    trolCommander - fork of the free and opensource muCommander filemanager.

    66 trolCommander alternatives
    trolCommander screenshot 1

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    trolCommader with built-in Terminal
    trolCommander screenshot 2
    +1
    trolCommander screenshot 3

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight

    Features

    1.  Built-in viewer
    2.  Syntax Highlighting
    3.  Support for SFTP
    4.  Built-in terminal emulation
    5.  Tabbed interface
    6.  Dual Pane Support
    7.  Support for FTP
    Discontinued

    Last update is from December 29th, 2016.

    trolCommander iconFile Explorer Icon

    trolCommander VS File Explorer

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  10. Simple File Manager icon
    Simple File Manager icon

    Simple File Manager

     20 likes
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    Simple File Manager is a super quick & professional file and folder manager for Android devices.

    51 Simple File Manager alternatives
    Simple File Manager screenshot 1
    Simple File Manager screenshot 2
    +4
    Simple File Manager screenshot 3

    License model

    • Freemium • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Android
    • Android Tablet
    • F-Droid

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight

    Features

    1.  Dark Mode
    Warning

    The Simple Mobile Tools suite of mobile apps have been bought by ZipoApps in December 2023, and now show some ads, while not being open source anymore. If you're looking for something similar to the original Simple Mobile Tools apps, you should take a look at the Fossify suite of apps (listed on AlternativeTo). More information here: Simple Mobile Tools bought by ZipoApps, sparks controversy over future of open source apps

    Simple File Manager iconFile Explorer Icon

    Simple File Manager VS File Explorer

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  11. NexusFile icon
    NexusFile icon

    NexusFile

     39 likes
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    NexusFile is a file manager for Windows. You can manage many files very fast and easily. NexusFile will increase your computing performance. If you still use Windows Explorer, you must try this one.

    59 NexusFile alternatives
    NexusFile screenshot 1

    License model

    • Free • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Windows
    NexusFile screenshot 1

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight

    Features

    1.  Dual Pane Support
    2.  Dark Mode
    3.  Multi-tabs
    4.  Works Offline
    5.  Ad-free
    6.  No registration required
    7.  No Tracking
    8.  Portable
    9.  Batch Rename Files
    10.  File Splitting
    NexusFile iconFile Explorer Icon

    NexusFile VS File Explorer

    Is NexusFile a good alternative to File Explorer?
     
    Comments about NexusFile as an Alternative to File Explorer
     
    Guest

    Look and feel like old Norton Commander on steroids.

    Positive comment •Jun 7, 2024
    0
    File Explorer Icon
    NexusFile icon
    • NexusFile is Free and ProprietaryFile Explorer is also Free and Proprietary
    • NexusFile is LightweightFile Explorer is not according to our users
  12. SpaceFM icon
    SpaceFM icon

    SpaceFM

     28 likes
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    Multi-panel tabbed file and desktop manager with built-in VFS, udev- or HAL-based device manager, customisable menu system, and bash integration.

    40 SpaceFM alternatives
    With big previews/thumbnails

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Linux
    SpaceFM screenshot 1
    SpaceFM screenshot 2

    SpaceFM Features

    1.  No registration required
    2.  Works Offline
    3.  Ad-free
    4.  Multi panel
    5.  Gtk
    Discontinued

    Last update was in 2018.

    SpaceFM iconFile Explorer Icon

    SpaceFM VS File Explorer

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