File Explorer Alternatives for Mac
File Explorer is not available for Mac but there are plenty of alternatives that runs on macOS with similar functionality. The best Mac alternative is XnView MP. It's not free, so if you're looking for a free alternative, you could try GNOME Files or Thunar. If that doesn't suit you, our users have ranked more than 100 alternatives to File Explorer and many of them are available for Mac so hopefully you can find a suitable replacement. Other interesting Mac alternatives to File Explorer are Forklift, fman, muCommander and Finder.
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.XnViewMP is a free software to view, organise, convert graphics and photos files or to create slide show, contact sheet, HTML pages.
XnView MP vs File Explorer opinions
VintagehotdogIt's for photos. It works well for photos.
- Free • Open Source
- Mac
- Linux
- MacPorts
- XQuartz
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.
GNOME Files vs File Explorer opinions
This is not for windows, and cannot replace a windows file manager.
ab1Many missing features like open as admin.
tibi97427Not available for Windows
nautilus is for linux. file explorer is for windows
- Free • Open Source
- Mac
- Linux
- Xfce
- MacPorts
- XQuartz
Thunar is a new 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 and intuitive, and does not include any confusing or useless options.
ForkLift is designed to be the fastest, most powerful file manager for the Mac. Connect to FTP or SFTP servers, manage your Amazon S3 account or your mobile devices over Bluetooth.
- Freemium • Proprietary
- Mac
- Windows
- Linux
The most modern dual-pane file manager. For Windows, Mac and Linux.
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...).
muCommander vs File Explorer opinions
RemovedUserForced 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.
The Finder is the first thing that you see when your Mac finishes starting up. It opens automatically and stays open as you use other apps. It includes the Finder menu bar at the top of the screen and the desktop below that.
Path Finder is a standalone Finder replacement that takes the Finder's familiar interface and adds numerous powerful features and interface innovations to help anyone be more productive on macOS.
- Free • Open Source
- Mac
- Windows
- Linux
- Electron / Atom Shell
JumpFm is a minimalistic dual panel file manager (currently released only for Windows, Mac, and Linux) that lets you navigate your file system very efficiently.
Discontinued
The last release was in 2017, but you can still download it and use it.
Commander One is dual-pane file manager for OS X created in Swift, which enables you to manage your files in the best possible way.
Commander One vs File Explorer opinions
RemovedUserIs there a choice for single-pane? Or would that be Commander Two?