The Best Open Source File Explorer AlternativesFile Managers and other apps similar to File Explorer in 2023
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 Dolphin File Manager, QTTabBar, Files and GNOME Files.
File Explorer alternatives are mainly File Managers but may also be FTP Clients or Image Viewers. Filter by these if you want a narrower list of alternatives or looking for a specific functionality of File Explorer.Double Commander
Is this is a good alternative?YesNo- Free • Open Source
- File Manager
- File Sync Tool
127 Double Commander alternatives- Windows
- Linux
- BSD
- Mac
Double Commander is a cross-platform open source file manager with two panels side by side. It is inspired by Total Commander and features some new ideas.
- - Double Commander is the most popular Windows, Mac & Linux alternative to File Explorer.
- - Double Commander is the most popular Open Source & free alternative to File Explorer.
Double Commander Features
Comments about Double Commander as a Alternative to File Explorer
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.
1not contain columns for video settings (video length)
-8Why 2 windows in one? I just want a directory tree with a pane showing the contents of that directory.
-78Dolphin File Manager
Is this is a good alternative?YesNo- Free • Open Source
- File Manager
- FTP Client
- File Renamer
73 Dolphin File Manager alternatives- Linux
- KDE
- Flathub
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.
Dolphin File Manager Features
Comments about Dolphin File Manager as a Alternative to File Explorer
It's amazing on Linux and pretty good on Windows. It's pretty, fast, customizable and has a lot of features.
1Dolphin is for linux, not for Windows.
-3QTTabBar
Is this is a good alternative?YesNo49 QTTabBar alternatives- Free • Open Source
- File Manager
- Windows
- Windows Explorer
QTTabBar is an extension for Windows Explorer that brings tabbed browsing to Microsoft's file browser. It comes with a number of nifty features including a favorites function for launching folders and applications, groupings of folders that can be opened together, tooltip...
QTTabBar Features
Comments about QTTabBar as a Alternative to File Explorer
Just like the description says, it is an extension, not a file manager.
2This is an extension, a great extension, but not an alternative.
0Files
Is this is a good alternative?YesNo107 Files alternatives- Free • Open Source
- File Manager
- Windows
Introducing 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...
Files Features
Comments about Files as a Alternative to File Explorer
Best file manager solution with best appearance, features and speed
0Lighweight and simple file explorer + tabbed navigation.
0GNOME Files
Is this is a good alternative?YesNo- Free • Open Source
- File Manager
58 GNOME Files alternatives- Mac
- Linux
- MacPorts
- XQuartz
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.
GNOME Files Features
Comments about GNOME Files as a Alternative to File Explorer
Many missing features like open as admin.
0Not available for Windows
0This is not for windows, and cannot replace a windows file manager.
-1nautilus is for linux. file explorer is for windows
2Explorer++
Is this is a good alternative?YesNo87 Explorer++ alternatives- Free • Open Source
- File Manager
- Windows
- PortableApps.com
Explorer++ 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.
Explorer++ Features
Comments about Explorer++ as a Alternative to File Explorer
I enjoy this Explorer. I would say it's the best Explorer who exist.
0Explorer++ has better features than Windows built-in file manager. Xplorer2 and XYplorer are both better than Explorer++.
1Thunar
Is this is a good alternative?YesNo- Free • Open Source
- File Manager
- File Renamer
- File Search Utility
79 Thunar alternatives- Mac
- Linux
- BSD
- Xfce
- MacPorts
- XQuartz
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.
Thunar Features
Opinions about Thunar as a Alternative to File Explorer
Far Manager
Is this is a good alternative?YesNo100 Far Manager alternatives- Free • Open Source
- File Manager
- Windows
Far Manager is a program for managing files and archives in Windows operating systems. Far Manager works in text mode and provides a simple and intuitive interface for performing most of the necessary actions:
Far Manager Features
Opinions about Far Manager as a Alternative to File Explorer
Tablacus Explorer
Is this is a good alternative?YesNo38 Tablacus Explorer alternatives- Free • Open Source
- File Manager
- Windows
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 Features
Comments about Tablacus Explorer as a Alternative to File Explorer
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.
2Spacedrive
Is this is a good alternative?YesNo55 Spacedrive alternatives- Free • Open Source
- File Manager
- Mac
- Windows
- Linux
Organize 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.
Spacedrive Features