# Alternatives to Files Modern open source Windows file manager. Files ranks #5 of 9 in File managers, with an Alt Score of 91. It is licensed under MIT, free from $9.99 and available on Windows. 9 of 10 checklist rows are verified against a public source. Source: https://altcatalog.com/alternatives/files/ Category: File managers ## Where Files stands out - **Open source** — 4 of 9 apps with a verified answer have this ## Overview - **Who it's for**: Windows users who want a more capable alternative to File Explorer, including power users and anyone who prefers open-source, community-developed software. - **What you get**: Files is an open-source file manager for Windows with tabbed, multi-window browsing, a file tagging system for organizing content beyond folders, and deep OS integrations. It uses a modern Fluent/WinUI interface built on the Windows App SDK, and is developed openly with features shaped by community feedback and bug reports. - **How it works**: Install Files from the Microsoft Store or via the classic installer (or build it from source), then use it in place of, or alongside, File Explorer to browse, tag, and manage files and folders. ## Profile - **License**: MIT (verified 2026-07-10) - **Pricing model**: Free (verified 2026-07-10) - **Starts at**: $9.99 (verified 2026-07-10) - **Platforms**: Windows - **Status**: active (verified 2026-07-10) ## Ranked alternatives | # | App | Alt Score | Licence | Platforms | |---|-----|-----------|---------|-----------| | 1 | [Directory Opus](https://altcatalog.com/alternatives/directory-opus.md) | 91 | Proprietary | Windows | | 2 | [Double Commander](https://altcatalog.com/alternatives/double-commander.md) | 91 | GPL-2.0 | Windows, macOS, Linux | | 3 | [ForkLift](https://altcatalog.com/alternatives/forklift.md) | 91 | Proprietary | macOS | | 4 | [Path Finder](https://altcatalog.com/alternatives/path-finder.md) | 91 | Proprietary | macOS | | 5 | [Total Commander](https://altcatalog.com/alternatives/total-commander.md) | 86 | Proprietary | Windows, Android | | 6 | [Midnight Commander](https://altcatalog.com/alternatives/midnight-commander.md) | 82 | GPL-3.0 | Linux, macOS | | 7 | [Marta](https://altcatalog.com/alternatives/marta.md) | 73 | Proprietary | macOS | | 8 | [ranger](https://altcatalog.com/alternatives/ranger.md) | 73 | GPL-3.0 | Linux, macOS | Alt Score = Verified coverage (90%) + Visibility (10%). See https://altcatalog.com/how-alt-score-works/ ## Feature comparison Legend: Yes / No / Partial / ? (not verified). | File managers checklist | Files | Directory Opus | Double Commander | ForkLift | Path Finder | Total Commander | |---|---|---|---|---|---|---| | Pricing model | Free | One-time | Free | One-time | Subscription | One-time | | Starts at | $9.99 | ? | ? | $19.95 | $32.95 (1 Year License) | 42.- Euro (plus VAT in Europe and some other countries*) | | License | MIT | Proprietary | GPL-2.0 | Proprietary | Proprietary | Proprietary | | Platforms | Windows | Windows | Windows, macOS, Linux | macOS | macOS | Windows, Android | | Dual-pane view | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | | Tabs | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | | Batch rename | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | | Archive handling | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | | Cloud connections | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | | Keyboard-driven | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | | Open source | Yes | No | Yes | No | No | No | | One-time purchase option | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | | Search quality | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | | Scripting | ? | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Partial | ## Sources Sources for Files. Each alternative is sourced on its own page. - **License**: MIT — (verified 2026-07-10) - Quote: “MIT License Copyright (c) 2018 - present Files Community Permission is hereby granted, free of charge, to any person obtaining a copy” - **Starts at**: $9.99 — (verified 2026-07-10) - Note: price":9.99,"displayPrice":"$9.99"" - **Pricing model**: Free — (verified 2026-07-10) - Quote: “Files is a community-driven project that depends on your support to grow and improve. Please consider purchasing Files through the Microsoft Store or supporting us on GitHub if you use the classic ins” - **Platforms**: Windows — (verified 2026-07-10) - Note: description":"Windows 10 version 19041.0 or higher"" - **Status**: active — (verified 2026-07-10) - Quote: “v4.2 ... Label: Latest ... Jul 6, 2026” - **Dual-pane view**: Yes — (verified 2026-07-10) - Quote: “Dual pane is a powerful feature that allows users to view two different locations within the same tab. This feature is ideal for comparing folder contents, transferring items between directories, or e” - **Tabs**: Yes — (verified 2026-07-10) - Quote: “The tabs feature in the Files app allows you to work on multiple folders simultaneously without cluttering your desktop with multiple windows.” - **Batch rename**: Yes — (verified 2026-07-10) - Quote: “Feature: Added support for bulk rename” - **Archive handling**: Yes — (verified 2026-07-10) - Quote: “Feature: Added menu option to compress items into archive” - **Cloud connections**: Yes — (verified 2026-07-10) - Quote: “Files integrates with various cloud providers by detecting and displaying their drives in the sidebar. These integrations require their respective clients to be installed and running on the device.” - **Keyboard-driven**: Yes — (verified 2026-07-10) - Quote: “Actions are commands you can perform on items like files, folders, and images. Use the Command Palette (Ctrl + Shift + P) to view a searchable list of available actions, along with their current key b” - **Open source**: Yes — (verified 2026-07-10) - Quote: “MIT License Copyright (c) 2018 - present Files Community” - **One-time purchase option**: Yes — (verified 2026-07-10) - Note: isSubscription":false" - **Search quality**: Yes — (verified 2026-07-10) - Quote: “Search mode allows users to search within the current directory or across indexed content.” --- Ranked by verified data, never by who paid. https://altcatalog.com/trust/