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 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 Mac so hopefully you can find a suitable replacement. Other interesting Mac alternatives to File Explorer are Spacedrive, GNOME Files, Thunar and ForkLift.

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, Windows + Open Source, Windows + Free, Linux, 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.
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Alternatives list

  1. Double Commander icon

    Double Commander

     597 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.

    129 Double Commander alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    Double Commander screenshot 1
     
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    3
    42
    Comments about Double Commander as an Alternative to File Explorer
    Guest
    Negative
    0

    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.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Guest
    Negative
    -12

    not contain columns for video settings (video length)

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    RemovedUser
    Negative
    -83

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

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    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
    • Double Commander is Privacy focusedFile Explorer is not according to our users
  2. Spacedrive icon

    Spacedrive

     149 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.

    76 Spacedrive alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    Spacedrive screenshot 1
     
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    1
    6
    Comments about Spacedrive as an Alternative to File Explorer
    Guest
    Negative
    0

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

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    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 focusedFile Explorer is not according to our users
  4. GNOME Files icon

    GNOME Files

     221 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.

    64 GNOME Files alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Linux
    • GNOME
    • MacPorts
    • XQuartz
    GNOME Files screenshot 1
     
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    4
    12
    Comments about GNOME Files as an Alternative to File Explorer
    ichimitch
    Positive
    0

    Imagine being a Linux user

    Guest
    Negative
    1

    nautilus is for linux. file explorer is for windows

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    ab1
    Negative
    0

    Many missing features like open as admin.

    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 Privacy focusedFile Explorer is not according to our users
  5. Thunar icon

    Thunar

     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.

    87 Thunar alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Linux
    • BSD
    • Xfce
    • MacPorts
    • XQuartz
    Thunar screenshot 1
     
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    6
  7. muCommander icon

    muCommander

     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...).

    107 muCommander alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • BSD
    • Java
    muCommander screenshot 1
     
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    1
    Comments about muCommander as an Alternative to File Explorer
    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.
    File Explorer Icon
    muCommander icon

    • Some users think muCommander is a great File Explorer alternative, some don't.

    • muCommander is the most popular Web-based alternative to File Explorer.

    • muCommander is Free and Open SourceFile Explorer is Free and Proprietary
  9. Finder icon

    Finder

     63 likes

    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.

    142 Finder alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    Finder screenshot 1
     
  10. Commander One icon

    Commander One

     73 likes

    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.

    92 Commander One alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium (Pay once)
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    Commander One screenshot 1
     
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    1
    Comments about Commander One as an Alternative to File Explorer
    RemovedUser
    Negative
    -5

    Is there a choice for single-pane? Or would that be Commander Two?

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    File Explorer Icon
    Commander One icon
    • Commander One is Freemium and ProprietaryFile Explorer is Free and Proprietary
  11. CoverFlowFinder icon

    CoverFlowFinder

     8 likes

    Brings iconic 3D Cover Flow file browsing to macOS, includes dual pane navigation, Quick Look integration, sidebar access to volumes, instant file sorting, context menus, type-ahead search, familiar Finder-like interface, and open source availability.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source (MIT)

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    CoverFlowFinder screenshot 1
     
  12. Path Finder icon

    Path Finder

     56 likes

    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.

    51 Path Finder alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Pay once
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    Path Finder screenshot 1
     
  13. fman icon

    fman

     233 likes

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

    107 fman alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium (Pay once or Subscription)
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    Demonstration
     
  14. Tokie icon

    Tokie

     9 likes

    A document, a database, and a browser, all in your folders.

    56 Tokie alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Pay once
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    Tokie screenshot 1
     
12 of 34 File Explorer alternatives