Last Updated on May 22, 2022
A file manager is software which provides a user interface to assist in the organisation of files. It helps users with their daily work in managing their files on a hard drive or other storage device. With terabyte hard disks becoming prevalent, file managers represent an essential tool in managing file systems.
Every file manager provides basic operations such as to create, open, view, edit, search, rename, move copy, and delete files. However, file managers typically come supplied with sophisticated functionality including network connectivity, directory synchronizing, archive handling, advanced searching, shortcuts, file/folder comparisons, checksums, plugins, and more, making them an incredibly powerful tool.
There are 3 main types of file managers covered in this feature. Orthodox file managers or “Commander-like” file managers have three windows (two panels and one command line window). The second type is the navigational file manager representing the most common type of file manager available today. We also have included a few examples of the best available spatial file managers, which present files and folders as if they were real objects.
To provide an insight into the quality of software that is available, we have compiled a list of 14 high quality free Linux file managers. Hopefully, there will be something of interest for anyone who wishes to have more control over managing their files.
Now, let’s explore the 14 file managers at hand. For each title we have compiled its own portal page, providing a screenshot of the software in action, a full description with an in-depth analysis of its features, together with links to relevant resources.
| File Managers | |
|---|---|
| Krusader | Advanced orthodox file manager for KDE |
| Dolphin | Default file manager for KDE 5 |
| Midnight Commander | User-friendly yet powerful orthodox file manager |
| nnn | Fast and flexible file manager |
| Ranger | Console file manager with VI key bindings |
| PCManFM | Default file manager for LXDE |
| GNOME Files | Spatial file manager; default file manager for GNOME |
| Double Commander | File manager with two panels side by side |
| GNOME Commander | Orthodox file manager for the GNOME desktop environment |
| 4Pane | Four-pane detailed-list GTK+ file manager |
| Xfe | Very similiar to Windows Explorer |
| Konqueror | Basic file management (& web browser) |
| Sunflower | Small and highly customizable twin-panel file manager |
| Deepin FM | Strives to offer a classical style file manager that offers innovation |
 Read our complete collection of recommended free and open source software. Our curated compilation covers all categories of software. The software collection forms part of our series of informative articles for Linux enthusiasts. There are hundreds of in-depth reviews, open source alternatives to proprietary software from large corporations like Google, Microsoft, Apple, Adobe, IBM, Cisco, Oracle, and Autodesk. There are also fun things to try, hardware, free programming books and tutorials, and much more. |
One of the best thought-out managers is inevitably missing here: the rox-filer.
“Inevitably missing” because it’s nowhere near as good as the ones we recommend.
Actually rox-filer was covered in this article. We concluded that it’s very dated, idiosyncratic, and lacking tons of functionality. And it’s been abandoned for many years.
rox-filer is dead
What about zzzfm?
What about it?
I believe it should be on the list…at least in the first half…or are there reasons why it is not or should not be included?
you guys have really done a lot of work here comparing different linux apps (even with their non-linux counterparts), this is v2ry commendable, thank you (all)…
I don’t think anyone here has ever tried zzzfm. We will take a look. Thanks for your suggestion.
zzzfm just seems an outdated/obsolete option.
It appeared in the AUR, and both zzzfm-bin and -git fail to find package libudev which shows a first commit, plus was last updated in July 2014!
It appears it’s a non-starter as you say Ben. No wonder we had never heard of it.
We are not sure it’s worth the effort to even try to compile it. If we had the time we’d look to see what has changed in the fork (it’s forked from SpaceFM). But life’s too short!
the one I am using is zzzfm from antix repo (maybe mxlinux too) not the AUR zzfm
Konqueror is the ultimate file manage as far as I’m concerned. It is far from “basic” in its functionality. I’ve tried them all. Even Dolphin can’t split windows horizontally and vertically multiple times. Konqueror is king if you are working on a complex project where you need to have numerous windows open and occupy the smallest amount of screen space.
Surprised to see a couple that are usually mentioned left off of this list: Nemo (from Cinnamon DE) and Thunar (from XFCE).
Our articles on file managers are going to be revamped. Nemo is mentioned in a different file manager roundup https://www.linuxlinks.com/excellent-gtk-file-managers/ which also needs updating. Thunar once was listed but was removed. This will be reviewed.