File Explorer AlternativesOnly apps from the EU

The best alternative to File Explorer is FreeCommander, which is free. If that doesn't suit you, our users have ranked more than 100 alternatives to File Explorer and many of them are so hopefully you can find a suitable replacement. Other interesting alternatives to File Explorer are Q-Dir, Dolphin File Manager, XYplorer and Thunar.

filter to find the best alternatives

File Explorer alternatives are mainly File Managers, but if you're looking for File Renamers or File Search Utilities you can filter on that. Other popular filters include Open Source, Windows, Windows + Open Source, Linux, Free, Windows + Free and File Management. 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.
Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard
File Explorer alternatives page was last updated

Alternatives list

  1. FreeCommander icon
     397 likes

    Dual-panel file manager with tabbed navigation, built-in viewer for multiple formats, ZIP/RAR/7z archive support, folder sync and comparison, batch renaming, search within archives, customizable keyboard shortcuts, DOS command integration, and full portability.

    116 FreeCommander alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • PortableApps.com
     
  2. Q-Dir icon
     202 likes

    Q-Dir makes your files and folder easy to manage. Fast and easy access, with an amazing Quadro-View (4 panes) technique. You dont have to renounce the usual, Drag and Drop, all Views, and other functions of your system. No!

    96 Q-Dir alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • PortableApps.com
     
    |
    2
    Q-Dir vs File Explorer Comments
    Erik J
    Positive
    1

    The only file manager I know that let you lay out or tile more than two columns side-by-side. Unfortunately it keeps getting caught as malware by Windows Defender.

    Drconfused
    Positive
    0

    Having up to 4 windows for file exploration and multitab instances in each is a huge benefit to productivity when dealing with many files over a system of folders.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    • Q-Dir is Free and ProprietaryFile Explorer is also Free and Proprietary
    • Q-Dir is CustomizableFile Explorer is not according to our users
  3. Usability-focused file manager for KDE desktops offering tabbed and dual-pane browsing, archive support, quick file renaming, filter-based searching, customizable icons, theme adaptation, preview modes, and extensibility with various service integrations.

    79 Dolphin File Manager alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • Linux
    • KDE Plasma
    • Flathub
     
    |
    3
    Dolphin File Manager vs File Explorer Comments
    tibi97427
    Negative
    1

    Dolphin is for linux, not for Windows.

    aronkvh
    Positive
    0

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

    stevem109
    Positive
    1

    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.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    • 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
  4. XYplorer icon
     210 likes

    Tabbed browsing, dual pane file management, advanced search with filters, scripting and automation, customizable interface, bulk renaming, integrated file preview for various formats, portable operation without installation, user-defined commands, and multi-language support.

    94 XYplorer alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Windows
     
    |
    2
    XYplorer vs File Explorer Comments
    Guest
    Positive
    3

    I've used only the free version, and its filled of a lot useful functions and tools.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Guest
    Positive
    1

    Color-coding is a can't-do-without feature once you see it in action.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    • XYplorer is Freemium and ProprietaryFile Explorer is Free and Proprietary
    • XYplorer is CustomizableFile Explorer is not according to our users
  5. Thunar icon
     148 likes

    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.

    88 Thunar alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Linux
    • BSD
    • Xfce
    • MacPorts
    • XQuartz
     
  6. Multi Commander icon
     115 likes

    Multi Commander is a multi-tabbed file manager and is an alternative to the standard Windows Explorer. It uses the very popular and efficient dual-panel layout.

    85 Multi Commander alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Windows
     
  7. muCommander icon
     124 likes

    muCommander is a lightweight, cross-platform file manager with a dual-pane interface. It runs on any operating system with Java support (Mac OS X, Windows, Linux, *BSD, Solaris...).

    108 muCommander alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • BSD
    • Java
     
    |
    1
    muCommander vs File Explorer Comments
    RemovedUser
    Negative
    -8

    Forced to have 2 panes open, neither one is wide enough. Open the "tree view" and you've lost a lot of screen real estate. Neither pane follows the tree view either, so there's no point having it.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    • muCommander is Free and Open SourceFile Explorer is Free and Proprietary
  8. fman icon
     233 likes

    The most modern dual-pane file manager. For Windows, Mac and Linux.

    108 fman alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
     
  9. A small and two-pane file manager with open plugin architecture. Has the ability to view content of files (text, html, over 40 picture formats, mp3), support for archives (zip, rar, arj, cab, tar/gzip, etc.), and (S)FTP support.

    52 Altap Salamander alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Windows
     
  10. Efficient macOS file manager with native SwiftUI offers familiar Windows-style cut and paste, tabs, multi-panel browsing, deep sidebar navigation, Quick Look, file previews, conflict handling, external drive support, advanced search, and multi-language localization.

    51 Trove File Explorer alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Paid
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
     
  11. File manager with two file windows, file preview, FTP and ZIP support, an editor, photo management and many wizards. Very fast file operations due to 64 bit architecture.

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Proprietary

    Platforms

    • Windows
     
12 of 25 File Explorer alternatives