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

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File Explorer alternatives page was last updated Feb 13, 2025
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  1. Double Commander icon
     574 likes
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    Open-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.

    132 Double Commander alternatives

    License model

    • FreeOpen Source

    Country of Origin

    • RU flagRussia

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD

    Properties

    1.  Configurable
    2.  Lightweight

    Features

    1.  Dual Pane Support
    2.  Two-panel file manager
    3.  Folder Sync
    4.  TC plug-in's support
    5.  Batch Rename Files
    6.  Extensible by Plugins/Extensions
    7.  File Comparison
    8.  Multiplatform
    9.  Portable
    10.  File Sync
    11.  Ad-free
    12.  Multiple Files Renaming

    Double Commander VS File Explorer

     
    Comments about Double Commander as an Alternative to File Explorer
    Most Recent Comment
    Guest
    Negative Jul 15, 2022
    1

    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.

    Guest
    Negative Aug 5, 2018
    -12

    not contain columns for video settings (video length)

    RemovedUser
    Negative Apr 14, 2018
    -83

    Why 2 windows in one? I just want a directory tree with a pane showing the contents of that directory.

    File Explorer Icon
    Double Commander icon
    • Most users think Double Commander is a great File Explorer alternative.

    • 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 is Free and Open SourceFile Explorer is Free and Proprietary
  2. Files icon
     126 likes
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    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...

    120 Files alternatives

    License model

    • FreeOpen Source

    Country of Origin

    • International

    Platforms

    • Windows

    Properties

    1.  Customizable
    2.  Privacy focused
    3.  Support for Themes
    4.  Lightweight

    Features

    1.  Dark Mode
    2.  Column View
    3.  Built-in themes
    4.  Image Preview
    5.  Dual Pane Support
    6.  Ad-free
    7.  File Archiving
    8. Git icon  Git integration
    9.  Cloud Sync
    10.  File Tagging
    11.  Tabbed interface
    12.  No registration required

    Files VS File Explorer

     
    Comments about Files as an Alternative to File Explorer
    Top Positive Comment
    cardinal4
    Nov 29, 2023
    3

    One 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 Comment
    Qwak66
    Negative Dec 27, 2024
    -3

    It is not free. You have to pay to use it. First "open source" program I found that is not free.

    drtech
    Positive Jan 9, 2024
    0

    I 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.

    Show more comments
    3 of 5 comments
    File Explorer Icon
    Files icon
    • Almost everyone thinks Files is a great File Explorer alternative.

    • Files is Free and Open SourceFile Explorer is Free and Proprietary
    • Files is Customizable and Privacy focusedFile Explorer is not according to our users
  3. Spacedrive icon
     139 likes
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    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.

    74 Spacedrive alternatives

    License model

    • FreeOpen Source

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    Discontinued

    The development has been paused for now.

    Properties

    1.  Privacy focused
    2.  Lightweight

    Features

    1.  Filesystem
    2.  Dark Mode
    3.  Rust
    4.  File Tagging
    5.  Image Preview
    6.  Cross-Platform
    7.  No Tracking
    8.  Works Offline
    9.  Ad-free
    10.  No registration required
    11. Git icon  Git Support
    12.  Live Preview

    Spacedrive VS File Explorer

     
    Comments about Spacedrive as an Alternative to File Explorer
    Guest
    Negative Jun 23, 2024
    0

    Because it lacks a lot of features. For exemple, it doesn't handle network shares.

    File Explorer Icon
    Spacedrive icon
    • Most users think Spacedrive is a great File Explorer alternative.

    • Spacedrive is Free and Open SourceFile Explorer is Free and Proprietary
    • Spacedrive is Privacy focused and LightweightFile Explorer is not according to our users
  4. Explorer++ icon
     112 likes
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    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.

    88 Explorer++ alternatives

    License model

    • FreeOpen Source

    Application type

    Country of Origin

    • AU flagAustralia

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • PortableApps.com

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight

    Features

    1.  Tabbed interface
    2.  Portable
    3.  Works Offline
    4.  Ad-free
    5.  No registration required
    6.  Dark Mode
    7.  Built-in viewer

    Explorer++ VS File Explorer

     
    Comments about Explorer++ as an Alternative to File Explorer
    Guest
    Positive Sep 24, 2019
    1

    Explorer++ has better features than Windows built-in file manager. Xplorer2 and XYplorer are both better than Explorer++.

    Guest
    Positive May 1, 2022
    0

    I enjoy this Explorer. I would say it's the best Explorer who exist.

    File Explorer Icon
    Explorer++ icon
    • Almost everyone thinks Explorer++ is a great File Explorer alternative.

    • Explorer++ is Free and Open SourceFile Explorer is Free and Proprietary
    • Explorer++ is LightweightFile Explorer is not according to our users
  5. Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard

    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.

    76 Dolphin File Manager alternatives

    License model

    • FreeOpen Source

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • DE flagGermany
    • European Union flagEU

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • KDE Plasma
    • Flathub

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight
    2.  Privacy focused

    Features

    1.  Split-screen view
    2.  Tree view
    3.  File preview
    4.  Built-in terminal emulation
    5. KDE Plasma icon  KDE Plasma integration
    6.  Network protocols
    7.  Ad-free
    8.  Works Offline
    9.  No Tracking
    10.  Batch Rename Files
    11.  No registration required
    12.  Portable

    Dolphin File Manager VS File Explorer

     
    Comments about Dolphin File Manager as an Alternative to File Explorer
    Most Recent Comment
    tibi97427
    Negative Jun 7, 2020
    2

    Dolphin is for linux, not for Windows.

    aronkvh
    Positive Aug 30, 2022
    0

    It's amazing on Linux and pretty good on Windows. It's pretty, fast, customizable and has a lot of features.

    stevem109
    Positive Oct 27, 2023
    0

    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.

    File Explorer Icon
    Dolphin File Manager icon
    • Most users think Dolphin File Manager is a great File Explorer alternative.

    • Dolphin File Manager is Free and Open SourceFile Explorer is Free and Proprietary
    • Dolphin File Manager is Lightweight and Privacy focusedFile Explorer is not according to our users
  6. Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard

    Tired of file managers that slow you down and invade your privacy? Unlock a lightning-fast, secure, and completely customizable experience with Fossify File Manager. ?

    57 Fossify File Manager alternatives

    License model

    • FreeOpen Source

    Application type

    Country of Origin

    • IN flagIndia

    Platforms

    • Android
    • Android Tablet
    • F-Droid

    Properties

    1.  Privacy focused
    2.  Lightweight
    3.  Customizable

    Features

    1.  No Tracking
    2.  Ad-free
    3.  Dark Mode
    4.  No registration required
    5.  Works Offline
    6.  Live Preview
    7.  Supports Zip files
    8.  Built-in viewer
    9.  Material design
    10.  MD5 signature
    11.  Checksums verification

    Fossify File Manager VS File Explorer

     
  7. GNOME Files icon
     216 likes
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    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.

    60 GNOME Files alternatives

    License model

    • FreeOpen Source

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Linux
    • GNOME
    • MacPorts
    • XQuartz

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight
    2.  Support for Themes
    3.  Privacy focused

    Features

    1.  Tabbed interface
    2.  Favorites
    3.  Bookmarks
    4.  Thumbnails
    5.  Dark Mode
    6.  Extensible by Plugins/Extensions
    7.  Ad-free
    8.  No registration required
    9.  Built-in viewer
    10.  No Tracking
    11.  Works Offline
    12.  Batch Rename Files

    GNOME Files VS File Explorer

     
    Comments about GNOME Files as an Alternative to File Explorer
    Most Recent Comment
    ichimitch
    Positive Oct 29, 2023
    0

    Imagine being a Linux user

    ab1
    Negative Jun 15, 2021
    0

    Many missing features like open as admin.

    Guest
    Negative May 16, 2020
    1

    nautilus is for linux. file explorer is for windows

    Show more comments
    3 of 4 comments
    File Explorer Icon
    GNOME Files icon
    • Some users think GNOME Files is a great File Explorer alternative, some don't.

    • GNOME Files is Free and Open SourceFile Explorer is Free and Proprietary
    • GNOME Files is Lightweight and Privacy focusedFile Explorer is not according to our users
  8. Thunar icon
     143 likes
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    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.

    85 Thunar alternatives

    License model

    • FreeOpen Source

    Country of Origin

    • DE flagGermany
    • European Union flagEU

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Linux
    • BSD
    • Xfce
    • MacPorts
    • XQuartz

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight

    Features

    1.  Support for Keyboard Shortcuts
    2.  Extensible by Plugins/Extensions
    3.  Custom Actions
    4.  Ad-free
    5.  No registration required
    6.  Live Preview
    7.  Works Offline
    8.  Dark Mode
    9.  Batch Rename Files
    10.  File Tagging
    11.  Built-in viewer
    12.  Integrated Search

    Thunar VS File Explorer

     
  9. Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard

    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 .

    License model

    • FreeOpen Source

    Application type

    Country of Origin

    • JP flagJapan

    Platforms

    • Windows

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight
    2.  Privacy focused

    Features

    1.  Tabbed interface
    2.  Extensible by Plugins/Extensions
    3.  Portable
    4.  Dark Mode
    5.  Multiple languages
    6.  Ad-free
    7.  No Tracking
    8.  Works Offline
    9.  Support for Unicode

    Tablacus Explorer VS File Explorer

     
    Comments about Tablacus Explorer as an Alternative to File Explorer
    Guest
    Positive Oct 13, 2023
    0

    It has multiple panes to be viewed at the same time. These can be extend to the number desired, by extensions.

    Guest
    Positive Nov 2, 2016
    2

    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.

    File Explorer Icon
    Tablacus Explorer icon
    • Almost everyone thinks Tablacus Explorer is a great File Explorer alternative.

    • Tablacus Explorer is Free and Open SourceFile Explorer is Free and Proprietary
    • Tablacus Explorer is Lightweight and Privacy focusedFile Explorer is not according to our users
9 of 47 File Explorer alternatives