The Best Open Source File Explorer AlternativesTop File Managers & File Search Utilities like File Explorer
The best open source alternative to File Explorer is Double Commander. If that doesn't suit you, our users have ranked more than 100 alternatives to File Explorer and many of them is open source so hopefully you can find a suitable replacement. Other interesting open source alternatives to File Explorer are Files, Spacedrive, Explorer++ and Dolphin File Manager.
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File Explorer alternatives are mainly File Managers, but if you're looking for File Search Utilities or File Sync Tools you can filter on that. Other popular filters include Windows + Open Source and Windows + Free. 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.- File Manager
- Free • Proprietary
132 Double Commander alternativesOpen-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
Country of Origin
Russia
Platforms
- Mac
- Windows
- Linux
- BSD
Double Commander VS File Explorer
Comments about Double Commander as an Alternative to File Explorer
Most Recent Commentnot contain columns for video settings (video length)
RemovedUserWhy 2 windows in one? I just want a directory tree with a pane showing the contents of that directory.
120 Files alternativesIntroducing 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...
License model
- Free • Open Source
Application types
Country of Origin
- International
Platforms
- Windows
Files VS File Explorer
Comments about Files as an Alternative to File Explorer
Top Positive Commentcardinal4One 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.
Most Recent CommentQwak66It is not free. You have to pay to use it. First "open source" program I found that is not free.
drtechI 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.
74 Spacedrive alternativesOrganize 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.
License model
- Free • Open Source
Application types
Country of Origin
United States
Platforms
- Mac
- Windows
- Linux
DiscontinuedThe development has been paused for now.
Spacedrive VS 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.
88 Explorer++ alternativesExplorer++ 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.
License model
- Free • Open Source
Application type
Country of Origin
Australia
Platforms
- Windows
- PortableApps.com
Explorer++ VS 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++.
I enjoy this Explorer. I would say it's the best Explorer who exist.
76 Dolphin File Manager alternativesDolphin 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.
License model
- Free • Open Source
Application types
Country of Origin
Germany
EU
Platforms
- Linux
- KDE Plasma
- Flathub
Dolphin File Manager VS File Explorer
Comments about Dolphin File Manager as an Alternative to File Explorer
Most Recent Commenttibi97427Dolphin is for linux, not for Windows.
aronkvhIt's amazing on Linux and pretty good on Windows. It's pretty, fast, customizable and has a lot of features.
stevem109Dolphin 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.
57 Fossify File Manager alternativesTired of file managers that slow you down and invade your privacy? Unlock a lightning-fast, secure, and completely customizable experience with Fossify File Manager. ?
License model
- Free • Open Source
Application type
Country of Origin
India
Platforms
- Android
- Android Tablet
- F-Droid
Fossify File Manager VS File Explorer
60 GNOME Files alternativesGNOME 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.
License model
- Free • Open Source
Application types
Country of Origin
- United States
Platforms
- Mac
- Linux
- GNOME
- MacPorts
- XQuartz
GNOME Files VS File Explorer
Comments about GNOME Files as an Alternative to File Explorer
Most Recent CommentichimitchImagine being a Linux user
ab1Many missing features like open as admin.
nautilus is for linux. file explorer is for windows
85 Thunar alternativesThunar 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.
License model
- Free • Open Source
Application types
Country of Origin
- Germany
- EU
Platforms
- Mac
- Linux
- BSD
- Xfce
- MacPorts
- XQuartz
Thunar VS File Explorer
Tablacus Explorer is a tabbed file manager with Add-on support.
Tabbed interface Add-on support Customizable association, menus, keys, mouse gestures, alias Completely Portable, No installation required Multiple language and Unicode support Open source .
Tablacus Explorer VS File Explorer
Comments about Tablacus Explorer as an Alternative to File Explorer
It has multiple panes to be viewed at the same time. These can be extend to the number desired, by extensions.
Very customizable and responsive. It has preloaded layouts such as dual pane, four pane, one pane layouts and layouts with tab titles at different places. You can create customized bars, etc. Although not as good as Linux alternatives, it's quite above the average for Windows file managers. However, customization is a bit complicated, it's something for power users.
Japan
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.