The Best Open Source File Explorer AlternativesTop File Managers and other similar apps 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 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

226

File Manager
Free • Proprietary

File Explorer is a file manager application that is included with releases of the Microsoft Windows operating system from Windows 95 onwards. It is sometimes referred to as the Windows shell, explorer.exe, or simply...

More about File Explorer

File Explorer alternatives page was last updated Jun 23, 2024

Double Commander
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.
133 Double Commander alternatives
License model
- Free • Open Source
Application types
- File Manager
- File Sync Tool
Platforms
- Windows
- Linux
- BSD
- Mac
+1
Top Double Commander Features
1. Dual Pane Support
2. Configurable
3. Two-panel file manager
4. Folder Sync
5. TC plug-in's support
6. Batch Rename Files
7. Extensible by Plugins/Extensions
8. File Comparison
9. Multiplatform
10. Portable
11. File Sync
12. Ad-free
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Double Commander VS File Explorer
Is Double Commander a good alternative to File Explorer?
Comments about Double Commander as an Alternative to File Explorer

Guest
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 •Jul 15, 2022
1
Guest
not contain columns for video settings (video length)
Negative comment •Aug 5, 2018
-12
RemovedUser
Why 2 windows in one? I just want a directory tree with a pane showing the contents of that directory.
Negative comment •Apr 14, 2018
-83
- 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

Files
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...
116 Files alternatives
License model
- Free • Open Source
Application types
- File Manager
- File Search Utility
Platforms
- Windows
+2
Top Files Features
1. Dark Mode
2. Column View
3. Image Preview
4. Built-in themes
5. Ad-free
6. Dual Pane Support
7. Cloud Sync
8. File Tagging
9. Privacy focused
10. No registration required
11. Full-Text Search
12. Lightweight
Show all NaN Files features ▾
Files VS File Explorer
Is Files a good alternative to File Explorer?
Comments about Files as an Alternative to File Explorer

cardinal4
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.
Positive comment •Nov 29, 2023
1
Kamil Cihan Sipahi
Best file manager solution with best appearance, features and speed
Positive comment •Sep 2, 2022
1
drtech
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.
Positive comment •Jan 9, 2024
0
Guest
Lighweight and simple file explorer + tabbed navigation.
Positive comment •Nov 14, 2021
0
- Almost everyone thinks Files is a great File Explorer alternative.
- Files is Free and Open SourceFile Explorer is Free and Proprietary
- Files is Privacy focusedFile Explorer is not according to our users

Spacedrive
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.
65 Spacedrive alternatives
License model
- Free • Open Source
Application types
- File Manager
- File Sync Tool
Platforms
- Mac
- Windows
- Linux
+3
Top Spacedrive Features
1. Filesystem
2. Dark Mode
3. Rust
4. File Tagging
5. Works Offline
6. Ad-free
7. Privacy focused
8. No registration required
9. Git Support
10. Lightweight
11. No Tracking
12. Live Preview
Show all NaN Spacedrive features ▾
Spacedrive VS File Explorer
Is Spacedrive a good alternative to File Explorer?
Comments about Spacedrive as an Alternative to File Explorer

Guest
Because it lacks a lot of features. For exemple, it doesn't handle network shares.
Negative comment •Jun 23, 2024
0
- Spacedrive is Free and Open SourceFile Explorer is Free and Proprietary
- Spacedrive is Privacy focusedFile Explorer is not according to our users

Explorer++
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.
89 Explorer++ alternatives
License model
- Free • Open Source
Application type
- File Manager
Platforms
- Windows
- PortableApps.com
+6
Explorer++ Features
1. Tabbed interface
2. Portable
3. Lightweight
4. Works Offline
5. Ad-free
6. No registration required
7. Built-in viewer
Show all NaN Explorer++ features ▾
Explorer++ VS File Explorer
Is Explorer++ a good alternative to File Explorer?
Comments about Explorer++ as an Alternative to File Explorer

Guest
Explorer++ has better features than Windows built-in file manager. Xplorer2 and XYplorer are both better than Explorer++.
Positive comment •Sep 24, 2019
1
Guest
I enjoy this Explorer. I would say it's the best Explorer who exist.
Positive comment •May 1, 2022
0
- Almost everyone thinks Explorer++ is a great File Explorer alternative.
- Explorer++ is Free and Open SourceFile Explorer is Free and Proprietary

Dolphin File Manager
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
- Free • Open Source
Application types
- File Manager
- File Renamer
Platforms
- Linux
- KDE
- Flathub
+1
Top Dolphin File Manager Features
1. Split-screen view
2. Tree view
3. File preview
4. KDE Plasma integration
5. File Renaming
6. Network protocols
7. Built-in terminal emulation
8. Lightweight
9. Ad-free
10. Works Offline
11. No Tracking
12. Privacy focused
Show all NaN Dolphin File Manager features ▾
Dolphin File Manager VS File Explorer
Is Dolphin File Manager a good alternative to File Explorer?
Comments about Dolphin File Manager as an Alternative to File Explorer

tibi97427
Dolphin is for linux, not for Windows.
Negative comment •Jun 7, 2020
0
aronkvh
It's amazing on Linux and pretty good on Windows. It's pretty, fast, customizable and has a lot of features.
Positive comment •Aug 30, 2022
0
stevem109
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.
Positive comment •Oct 27, 2023
0
- 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 Privacy focusedFile Explorer is not according to our users

QTTabBar
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...
51 QTTabBar alternatives
License model
- Free • Open Source
Application type
- File Manager
Platforms
- Windows
- Windows Explorer
QTTabBar Features
1. Windows Explorer Extension
2. Tabbed browsing
3. File preview
4. Subfolder menu
5. Extensive customisability
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QTTabBar VS File Explorer
Is QTTabBar a good alternative to File Explorer?
Comments about QTTabBar as an Alternative to File Explorer

Netverse
Just like the description says, it is an extension, not a file manager.
Negative comment •Feb 19, 2016
4
ichimitch
Sure it may not be a true 'alternative' as it's an extension; not it's own application. However if it's providing the functionality which is prompting users to seek out an alternative in the first place: it belongs on this list.
Positive comment •Oct 29, 2023
0
Brayden Price
This is an extension, a great extension, but not an alternative.
Negative comment •Mar 29, 2021
1
- Most users think QTTabBar is a great File Explorer alternative.
- QTTabBar is Free and Open SourceFile Explorer is Free and Proprietary

GNOME Files
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.
58 GNOME Files alternatives
License model
- Free • Open Source
Application types
- File Manager
- FTP Client
Platforms
- Mac
- Linux
- MacPorts
- XQuartz
- GNOME
+2
Top GNOME Files Features
1. Tabbed interface
2. Lightweight
3. Dark Mode
4. Extensible by Plugins/Extensions
5. Ad-free
6. Support for Themes
7. No registration required
8. Built-in viewer
9. Batch Rename Files
10. Privacy focused
11. No Tracking
12. Works Offline
Show all NaN GNOME Files features ▾
GNOME Files VS File Explorer
Is GNOME Files a good alternative to File Explorer?
Comments about GNOME Files as an Alternative to File Explorer

ichimitch
Imagine being a Linux user
Positive comment •Oct 29, 2023
0
Guest
nautilus is for linux. file explorer is for windows
Negative comment •May 16, 2020
1
ab1
Many missing features like open as admin.
Negative comment •Jun 15, 2021
0
Guest
This is not for windows, and cannot replace a windows file manager.
Negative comment •Aug 16, 2020
-2
- 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 Privacy focusedFile Explorer is not according to our users

Fossify File Manager
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. ?
47 Fossify File Manager alternatives
+3
License model
- Free • Open Source
Application type
- File Manager
Platforms
- Android
- F-Droid
- Android Tablet
Fossify File Manager Features
1. No Tracking
2. Ad-free
3. Dark Mode
4. Privacy focused
5. Lightweight
6. No registration required
7. Works Offline
8. Customizable
9. Material design
Show all NaN Fossify File Manager features ▾
Fossify File Manager VS File Explorer
Is Fossify File Manager a good alternative to File Explorer?

Thunar
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.
83 Thunar alternatives
License model
- Free • Open Source
Application types
- File Manager
- File Search Utility
Platforms
- Mac
- Linux
- BSD
- Xfce
- MacPorts
- XQuartz
Top Thunar Features
1. Support for Keyboard Shortcuts
2. Lightweight
3. Extensible by Plugins/Extensions
4. Custom Actions
5. Ad-free
6. No registration required
7. Live Preview
8. Works Offline
9. Dark Mode
10. Batch Rename Files
11. File Tagging
12. Built-in viewer
Show all NaN Thunar features ▾
Thunar VS File Explorer
Is Thunar a good alternative to File Explorer?

Sigma File Manager
Sigma File Manager is a free, open-source, quickly evolving, modern file manager (explorer / finder) app for Windows and Linux.
59 Sigma File Manager alternatives
License model
- Free • Open Source
Application types
- File Manager
- File Search Utility
Platforms
- Windows
- Linux
+7
Top Sigma File Manager Features
1. No registration required
2. Ad-free
3. Works Offline
4. Integrated File Sharing
5. Dark Mode
6. No Tracking
7. Support for scripting
8. Privacy focused
9. Support for Themes
10. File Tagging
11. Built-in archiver
12. Group tabs
Show all NaN Sigma File Manager features ▾
Sigma File Manager VS File Explorer
Is Sigma File Manager a good alternative to File Explorer?
Comments about Sigma File Manager as an Alternative to File Explorer

Guest
Amazing alternative to explorer.exe sleek and full featured. Certainly worth trying out!
Positive comment •Jun 24, 2023
0
- Sigma File Manager is Free and Open SourceFile Explorer is Free and Proprietary
- Sigma File Manager is Privacy focusedFile Explorer is not according to our users