File Explorer Alternatives for Linux

File Explorer is not available for Linux but there are plenty of alternatives that runs on Linux with similar functionality. The best Linux alternative is Double Commander, which is both free and Open Source. If that doesn't suit you, our users have ranked more than 100 alternatives to File Explorer and many of them are available for Linux so hopefully you can find a suitable replacement. Other interesting Linux alternatives to File Explorer are Spacedrive, Dolphin File Manager, GNOME Files and Thunar.

filter to find the best alternatives

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 Open Source, Windows + Free, Windows, Windows + Open Source, Linux, Mac and 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.
Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard
File Explorer alternatives page was last updated

Alternatives list

  1. Double Commander icon
     609 likes

    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.

    137 Double Commander alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
     
    |
    3
  2. Spacedrive icon
     167 likes

    Open-source file explorer integrates cloud, local, and offline storage across devices using a secure virtual distributed filesystem in Rust, enabling unified management, file syncing, privacy control, intuitive interface, and ownership without centralized servers.

    84 Spacedrive alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
     
    |
    1
  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.

    83 Dolphin File Manager alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • Linux
    • KDE Plasma
    • Flathub
     
    |
    3
  4. GNOME Files icon
     225 likes

    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.

    65 GNOME Files alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Linux
    • GNOME
    • MacPorts
    • XQuartz
     
    |
    4
  5. Thunar icon
     147 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.

    89 Thunar alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Linux
    • BSD
    • Xfce
    • MacPorts
    • XQuartz
     
  6. Free, open-source file manager for Windows and Linux offering global search with typo correction, tabs, workspaces, wireless file sharing, advanced file downloader, item filtering, dashboard, file and note protection, media previews, and customizable features.

    72 Sigma File Manager alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • Linux
     
    |
    1
  7. muCommander icon
     125 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...).

    113 muCommander alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • BSD
    • Java
     
    |
    1
  8. PCMan File Manager (PCManFM) is a file manager application, developed by Hong Jen Yee from Taiwan, which is meant to be a replacement for GNOME Files, Dolphin and Thunar. PCManFM is the standard file manager in LXDE, also developed by the same author in conjunction with other...

    48 PCMan File Manager alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • LXDE
    • GTK
     
  9. fman icon
     233 likes

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

    110 fman alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
     
  10. Index is a convergent file manager, it the user with a simple way to navigate and manage files. Index incorporates features such as miller columns, embedded terminal, split views, file previews, experimental WebDAV support, tags.

    Cost / License

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • Android
    • AppImageHub
    • Linux Mobile
    • Plasma Mobile
    • Flatpak
    • Flathub
     
  11. trolCommander icon
     54 likes

    trolCommander - fork of the free and opensource muCommander filemanager.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Alerts

    • Discontinued

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
     
  12. SpaceFM icon
     26 likes

    Multi-panel tabbed file and desktop manager with built-in VFS, udev- or HAL-based device manager, customisable menu system, and bash integration.

    Cost / License

    Application type

    Alerts

    • Discontinued

    Platforms

    • Linux
     
12 of 31 File Explorer alternatives