File Explorer AlternativesOnly apps categorised as File Search Utilities

The best File Search alternative to File Explorer is Files, 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 File Search Utilities so hopefully you can find a suitable replacement. Other interesting File Search Utility alternatives to File Explorer are Total Commander, FreeCommander, XYplorer and OneCommander.

filter to find the best alternatives

File Explorer alternatives are mainly File Search Utilities, but if you're looking for File Managers or File Renamers 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. Files icon

    Files

     160 likes

    Advanced Windows file manager offers tabbed browsing, dual-pane drag-and-drop, column navigation, built-in archive creation and extraction, file tagging, QuickLook previews, context menu integration, quick search, and customizable appearance for streamlined organization.

    121 Files alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source (MIT)

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Windows
    Files screenshot 1
     
    |
    5
    21
    Comments about Files as an Alternative to File Explorer
    Top Positive Comment
    cardinal4
    4

    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.

    Qwak66
    Negative
    -6

    It is not free. You have to pay to use it. First "open source" program I found that is not free.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    drtech
    Positive
    0

    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.

    3 of 5 comments
    Files icon
    Files icon

    • Almost everyone thinks Files is a great File Explorer alternative.

    • Files is Free and Open SourceFile Explorer is Free and Proprietary
    • Files is Privacy focused and CustomizableFile Explorer is not according to our users
  2. Total Commander icon

    Total Commander

     908 likes

    A versatile file manager offering side-by-side dual-pane for intuitive navigation, powerful built-in FTP client, extensive archive format support, robust file comparison tool with editor, advanced multi-rename using regular expressions, and scalable customization options.

    178 Total Commander alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • Android
    • Android Tablet
    Total Commander screenshot 1
     
    |
    31
  4. FreeCommander icon

    FreeCommander

     396 likes

    FreeCommander is an easy-to-use alternative to the standard windows file manager. The program helps you with daily work in Windows. Here you can find all the necessary functions to manage your data stock.

    115 FreeCommander alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • PortableApps.com
    FreeCommander screenshot 1
     
    |
    38
  5. XYplorer icon

    XYplorer

     209 likes

    XYplorer is a file manager for Windows. It features tabbed browsing, a powerful file search, a versatile preview, a highly customizable interface, optional dual pane, scripting engine, and a large array of unique ways to efficiently automate frequently recurring tasks.

    93 XYplorer alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Paid
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Windows
    XYplorer screenshot 1
     
    |
    2
    33
    Comments about XYplorer as an Alternative to File Explorer
    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 icon
    XYplorer icon

    • Almost everyone thinks XYplorer is a great File Explorer alternative.

    • XYplorer is Paid and ProprietaryFile Explorer is Free and Proprietary
    • XYplorer is CustomizableFile Explorer is not according to our users
  6. OneCommander icon

    OneCommander

     171 likes

    Free dual-pane file manager for Windows featuring tabs, columns, themes, long filename support, image converter, regex renaming and many other unique features.

    92 OneCommander alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Windows
    OneCommander screenshot 1
     
    |
    2
    14
    Comments about OneCommander as an Alternative to File Explorer
    ichimitch
    Positive
    1

    Most other 'alternatives' to File Explorer are an eye-sore and needlessly convoluted. Onecommander is intuitive and aesthetically pleasing: which is more important than you may think when you're having to spend hours looking at it.

    Guest
    Negative
    0

    Can't close and uninstall without accepting the license

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    OneCommander icon
    OneCommander icon

    • Most users think OneCommander is a great File Explorer alternative.

    • OneCommander is Freemium and ProprietaryFile Explorer is Free and Proprietary
  7. Directory Opus icon

    Directory Opus

     225 likes

    Directory Opus is a complete replacement for Explorer, with far more power and functionality than any other file manager available today.

    85 Directory Opus alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Paid
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Windows
    Dual display (vertical layout) without trees (this is the Commander style). Both file displays are in list mode, showing popup tooltip for an image file.
     
    |
    2
    22
    Comments about Directory Opus as an Alternative to File Explorer
    Guest
    Positive
    0

    All the FE is and much, much more

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Guest
    Positive
    0

    It has all the features that File Explorer refuses to add.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Directory Opus icon
    Directory Opus icon

    • Most users think Directory Opus is a great File Explorer alternative.

    • Directory Opus is Paid and ProprietaryFile Explorer is Free and Proprietary
  9. 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 type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Linux
    • BSD
    • Xfce
    • MacPorts
    • XQuartz
    Thunar screenshot 1
     
    |
    6
  10. Sigma File Manager icon

    Sigma File Manager

     32 likes

    Sigma File Manager is a free, open-source, quickly evolving, modern file manager (explorer / finder) app for Windows and Linux.

    68 Sigma File Manager alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • Linux
    Sigma File Manager screenshot 1
     
    |
    1
    Comments about Sigma File Manager as an Alternative to File Explorer
    Guest
    Positive
    0

    Amazing alternative to explorer.exe sleek and full featured. Certainly worth trying out!

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Sigma File Manager icon
    Sigma File Manager icon
    • 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
  11. xplorer² icon

    xplorer²

     103 likes

    xplorer² is a desktop file manager combining the simplicity of Windows explorer with the speed and efficiency of traditional dual pane file managers.

    92 xplorer² alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Paid
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Windows
    xplorer² screenshot 1
     
    |
    3
    16
    Comments about xplorer² as an Alternative to File Explorer
    Guest
    Positive
    0

    Lightweight, full-feature customizable file manager

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

    Very powerfull Explorer replacement, with tons of additional services, tabbed interface, flat navigation, favorite folders and views, long etc.

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

    Customizable, clean, powerful. The only alternative for Windows

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    xplorer² icon
    xplorer² icon

    • Most users think xplorer² is a great File Explorer alternative.

    • xplorer² is Paid and ProprietaryFile Explorer is Free and Proprietary
  12. File Pilot icon

    File Pilot

     13 likes

    File Pilot is a file explorer built from scratch for light-speed performance, with a modern and robust interface.

    27 File Pilot alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Paid
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Windows
    File Pilot screenshot 1
     
  13. 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
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    Commander One screenshot 1
     
    |
    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.
    Commander One icon
    Commander One icon
    • Commander One is Freemium and ProprietaryFile Explorer is Free and Proprietary
  14. oMega Commander icon

    oMega Commander

     50 likes

    Innovative, convenient, fast, feature-packed File Manager, with a unique, powerful and, at the same time, familiar and easy to use interface, designed for all users.

    Cost / License

    • Paid
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Windows
    Standard window with a customized user under itself ribbon. Silver theme.
     
12 of 24 File Explorer alternatives