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.

File Explorer alternatives page was last updated

File Explorer

221

Free • Proprietary
File Manager

File Explorer is a file manager application that is included with releases of the Microsoft Windows operating system from...

More about File Explorer

Double Commander
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
File Manager
File Sync Tool
Windows
Linux
BSD
Mac
127 Double Commander alternatives
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.
Suggest and vote on features
Double Commander Features
1. Batch Rename FilesDouble Commander supports renaming of different types of files or data in large batches.
2. Extensible by Plugins/ExtensionsDouble Commander can be extended with add-ons, plugins and extensions.
3. PortableDouble Commander can be used from a USB stick or similar with no prior installation.
4. Ad-freeDouble Commander doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
5. Dark ModeDouble Commander supports dark mode for comfortable usage in low light conditions.
Dual Pane Support
Configurable
Two-panel file manager
Folder Sync
TC plug-in's support
Multiplatform
Multiple Files Renaming
Support for Keyboard Shortcuts
Multi-tabs
Plug-ins
Comments about Double Commander as a Alternative to File Explorer
Most users think Double Commander is a great File Explorer alternative.
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.
Negative comment•
1

not contain columns for video settings (video length)
Negative comment•
-8

Why 2 windows in one? I just want a directory tree with a pane showing the contents of that directory.
Negative comment•
-78
Dolphin File Manager
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
File Manager
FTP Client
File Renamer
Linux
KDE
Flathub
73 Dolphin File Manager alternatives
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.
Suggest and vote on features
Dolphin File Manager Features
1. LightweightDolphin File Manager consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
2. Batch Rename FilesDolphin File Manager supports renaming of different types of files or data in large batches.
3. Ad-freeDolphin File Manager doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
4. PortableDolphin File Manager can be used from a USB stick or similar with no prior installation.
5. Works OfflineDolphin File Manager can be used without the need to connect to the internet.
6. Live PreviewInstantly see what your files and documents look like as you create them.
7. Dark ModeDolphin File Manager supports dark mode for comfortable usage in low light conditions.
8. No registration requiredYou can use most of the features in Dolphin File Manager without registration.
9. Built-in viewerDolphin File Manager shows you a quick preview of an image, page or file in supported formats.
Split-screen view
Tree view
File preview
Built-in terminal emulation
KDE Plasma integration
Network protocols
Thumbnails
SSH
Remote File Access
Splitted view
Comments about Dolphin File Manager as a Alternative to File Explorer
Most users think Dolphin File Manager is a great File Explorer alternative.
It's amazing on Linux and pretty good on Windows. It's pretty, fast, customizable and has a lot of features.
Positive comment•
1

Dolphin is for linux, not for Windows.
Negative comment•
-3
QTTabBar
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
File Manager
Windows
Windows Explorer
49 QTTabBar alternatives
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...
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QTTabBar Features
1. Windows Explorer ExtensionQTTabBar can extend Windows Explorer in various ways, for example add context menu options, etc..
Tabbed browsing
File preview
Subfolder menu
Extensive customisability
Comments about QTTabBar as a Alternative to File Explorer
Most users think QTTabBar is a great File Explorer alternative.
Just like the description says, it is an extension, not a file manager.
Negative comment•
2

This is an extension, a great extension, but not an alternative.
Negative comment•
0
Files
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
File Manager
Windows
107 Files alternatives
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...
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Files Features
1. Dark ModeFiles supports dark mode for comfortable usage in low light conditions.
2. Ad-freeFiles doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
3. Cloud SyncSync your data (notes, documents, bookmarks, etc.) across your different devices and to the cloud.
4. Privacy focusedFiles is considered a privacy friendly alternative.
5. File TaggingFiles can organize and highlight your files with tags and labels.
6. Full-Text SearchFiles lets you search for specific words or phrases from inside a document or database.
7. LightweightFiles consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
8. No registration requiredYou can use most of the features in Files without registration.
9. Live PreviewInstantly see what your files and documents look like as you create them.
Column View
Built-in themes
Image Preview
Dual Pane Support
Miller columns
Git integration
Hierarchical Structure
Built-in viewer
Multi Column View
Batch Rename Files
Comments about Files as a Alternative to File Explorer
Almost everyone thinks Files is a great File Explorer alternative.
Best file manager solution with best appearance, features and speed
Positive comment•
0

Lighweight and simple file explorer + tabbed navigation.
Positive comment•
0
GNOME Files
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
File Manager
Mac
Linux
MacPorts
XQuartz
58 GNOME Files alternatives
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.
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GNOME Files Features
1. LightweightGNOME Files consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
2. Dark ModeGNOME Files supports dark mode for comfortable usage in low light conditions.
3. Extensible by Plugins/ExtensionsGNOME Files can be extended with add-ons, plugins and extensions.
Tabbed interface
Favorites
Bookmarks
Thumbnails
Support for FTP
Comments about GNOME Files as a Alternative to File Explorer
Some users think GNOME Files is a great File Explorer alternative, some don't.
Many missing features like open as admin.
Negative comment•
0

Not available for Windows
Negative comment•
0

This is not for windows, and cannot replace a windows file manager.
Negative comment•
-1

nautilus is for linux. file explorer is for windows
Negative comment•
2
Explorer++
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
File Manager
Windows
PortableApps.com
87 Explorer++ alternatives
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.
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Explorer++ Features
1. PortableExplorer++ can be used from a USB stick or similar with no prior installation.
2. LightweightExplorer++ consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
3. Works OfflineExplorer++ can be used without the need to connect to the internet.
4. Ad-freeExplorer++ doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
Tabbed interface
Comments about Explorer++ as a Alternative to File Explorer
Almost everyone thinks Explorer++ is a great File Explorer alternative.
I enjoy this Explorer. I would say it's the best Explorer who exist.
Positive comment•
0

Explorer++ has better features than Windows built-in file manager. Xplorer2 and XYplorer are both better than Explorer++.
Positive comment•
1
Thunar
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
File Manager
File Renamer
File Search Utility
Mac
Linux
BSD
Xfce
MacPorts
XQuartz
79 Thunar alternatives
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.
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Thunar Features
1. Extensible by Plugins/ExtensionsThunar can be extended with add-ons, plugins and extensions.
2. Ad-freeThunar doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
3. No registration requiredYou can use most of the features in Thunar without registration.
4. Live PreviewInstantly see what your files and documents look like as you create them.
5. LightweightThunar consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
6. Works OfflineThunar can be used without the need to connect to the internet.
7. Dark ModeThunar supports dark mode for comfortable usage in low light conditions.
8. Batch Rename FilesThunar supports renaming of different types of files or data in large batches.
9. File TaggingThunar can organize and highlight your files with tags and labels.
Support for Keyboard Shortcuts
Custom Actions
Integrated Search
Auto-delete files
Thumbnail preview
Thumbnails
Built-in viewer
Opinions about Thunar as a Alternative to File Explorer
Most users think Thunar is a great File Explorer alternative.
Far Manager
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
File Manager
Windows
100 Far Manager alternatives
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:
Suggest and vote on features
Far Manager Features
1. Extensible by Plugins/ExtensionsFar Manager can be extended with add-ons, plugins and extensions.
2. Command line interfaceFar Manager either have CLI support or is a CLI-only app.
Dual Pane Support
Text mode
Build command lines picking files
QuickLook File Preview
Support for Keyboard Shortcuts
Console-based
Opinions about Far Manager as a Alternative to File Explorer
Most users think Far Manager is a great File Explorer alternative.
Tablacus Explorer
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
File Manager
Windows
38 Tablacus Explorer alternatives
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 .
Suggest and vote on features
Tablacus Explorer Features
1. Extensible by Plugins/ExtensionsTablacus Explorer can be extended with add-ons, plugins and extensions.
2. PortableTablacus Explorer can be used from a USB stick or similar with no prior installation.
3. Dark ModeTablacus Explorer supports dark mode for comfortable usage in low light conditions.
4. LightweightTablacus Explorer consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
Tabbed interface
Multiple languages
Support for Unicode
Comments about Tablacus Explorer as a Alternative to File Explorer
Almost everyone thinks Tablacus Explorer is a great File Explorer alternative.
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.
Positive comment•
2
Spacedrive
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
File Manager
Mac
Windows
Linux
55 Spacedrive alternatives
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.
Suggest and vote on features
Spacedrive Features
1. LightweightSpacedrive consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
Filesystem
Rust