Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

FreeCommander VS Midnight Commander

Compare FreeCommander VS Midnight Commander and see what are their differences

FreeCommander logo FreeCommander

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.

Midnight Commander logo Midnight Commander

GNU Midnight Commander is a visual file manager, licensed under GNU General Public License and...
  • FreeCommander Landing page
    Landing page //
    2022-12-11
  • Midnight Commander Landing page
    Landing page //
    2018-09-29

FreeCommander features and specs

  • User Interface
    FreeCommander features a dual-pane interface that allows users to manage files in a more organized and efficient manner, providing an easy way to transfer files between directories.
  • Customization
    The software offers a high level of customization, enabling users to tailor the application to meet their specific needs, including keyboard shortcuts and layout adjustments.
  • Compatibility
    FreeCommander is compatible with various Windows versions, making it accessible to a wide range of users with different system specifications.
  • Portable Version
    A portable version of FreeCommander is available, which allows users to run the application from a USB drive without needing to install it on a computer.
  • File Management Features
    The software includes advanced file management features such as multi-rename tools, file shredding, folder synchronization, and archive handling (ZIP, RAR, CAB).
  • Cost
    FreeCommander is free to use, making it an economical choice for individuals and organizations looking for robust file management tools.

Possible disadvantages of FreeCommander

  • Learning Curve
    New users may find the wide range of features and customization options overwhelming, leading to a steep learning curve.
  • Documentation
    Some users report that the documentation is not exhaustive, which can make it difficult to fully utilize all the capabilities of the software without additional research or trial and error.
  • Limited MacOS and Linux Support
    FreeCommander is primarily designed for Windows, thereby offering limited compatibility and functionality on MacOS and Linux systems.
  • Updates
    The updates and development of FreeCommander are dependent on a small team, potentially leading to slower development cycles and the occasional bug.
  • Interface Design
    The user interface, while functional, is not as modern or aesthetically pleasing as some other file management tools, which may deter some users.

Midnight Commander features and specs

  • User-Friendly Interface
    Midnight Commander provides a text-based user interface that is relatively easy to navigate, unlike traditional command-line interfaces, which can be intimidating for new users.
  • Two-pane File Manager
    The dual-pane layout allows users to perform file operations such as moving and copying files between two locations effortlessly.
  • Built-in Editor
    Midnight Commander includes a built-in text editor (mcedit) that can be handy for quickly editing configuration files or scripts.
  • Connectivity Options
    It supports various network protocols like FTP, SFTP, and Samba, enabling users to manage files on remote systems as easily as on local drives.
  • Customizability
    Users can customize key bindings, color schemes, and panels to better suit their needs and workflow preferences.
  • Cross-Platform
    Midnight Commander is available on multiple operating systems, including Linux, macOS, and Windows, offering a consistent experience across platforms.
  • Search Capabilities
    Advanced search options make it easy to find files and text within files, which is useful for a variety of tasks, from coding to administration.

Possible disadvantages of Midnight Commander

  • Limited GUI Features
    Being a text-based application, it lacks some of the graphical features and mouse interactions available in graphical file managers.
  • Learning Curve
    While more user-friendly than the command line, it still requires some time to learn and get accustomed to the various key bindings and functionalities.
  • Dependency on Terminal
    As a terminal-based application, it requires a terminal emulator, which might not be as efficient or convenient as using a native graphical application for some users.
  • Limited Advanced Features
    For complex file management tasks, it may not offer the advanced features or plugins available in more robust file managers.
  • No Built-in Preview
    Unlike some graphical file managers, it doesn't provide a built-in preview of files (like images or PDFs), which can be a drawback for certain use cases.
  • Dependency on Configuration Files
    Customization often necessitates editing configuration files manually, which could be a deterrent for users who are not comfortable with text-based configurations.

FreeCommander videos

FreeCommander XE 2018 Review Free Download For Windows

Midnight Commander videos

EzeeLinux Show 18.15 | GNU Midnight Commander

More videos:

  • Review - 16 - Midnight Commander, Part 1 of 3
  • Review - Midnight Commander || Installation and short review || Ubuntu || Fedora

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to FreeCommander and Midnight Commander)
File Manager
52 52%
48% 48
FTP Client
48 48%
52% 52
File Explorer
62 62%
38% 38
File Management
39 39%
61% 61

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare FreeCommander and Midnight Commander

FreeCommander Reviews

14 Alternative File Managers To Replace Windows 10 File Explorer
It offers a dual-window interface with a handy list of directories at the top of each window for quick access. FreeCommander XE also has dedicated buttons between the two windows to make managing files between the two windows easier. And as the name suggests, this file manager is free to use.
Source: geekflare.com
The best file managers for your computer
Without being as popular as Explorer++ or offering as many functions as File Voyager, it is worth highlighting the proposal of FreeCommander like that of a very easy-to-use file manager, while always keeping within the quality standards that can be expected from these applications for professional use. In fact, it is considered by many users to be a five-star alternative to...
Source: movilforum.com
8 Best Total Commander Alternatives & Competitors in 2022 (Free & Paid)
Freecommander is an easy-to-use alternative to the standard windows file manager. The program helps you with daily work in windows.
Five Best Alternative File Managers
FreeCommander boasts many of the same features as the rest, but it also stands out because it's the only app we're featuring that's entirely free. That means you'll still see features like dual-paned file browsing, seamless ZIP and other archive support, tabbed interface, built-in file viewer and FTP, and all the rest of the goods that make these apps stand out above and...
Source: lifehacker.com

Midnight Commander Reviews

We have no reviews of Midnight Commander yet.
Be the first one to post

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Midnight Commander seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 28 times since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

FreeCommander mentions (0)

We have not tracked any mentions of FreeCommander yet. Tracking of FreeCommander recommendations started around Mar 2021.

Midnight Commander mentions (28)

  • Emacs 2024 Changes
    Dired as a cross-platform file manager. I used to use Midnight Commander but I found it buggy in the end (on MacOS). Since investing time in learning dired it's good enough. - Source: dev.to / 5 months ago
  • OpenBSD Desktop
    Midnight Commander is a good TUI file manager. https://midnight-commander.org/. - Source: Hacker News / about 1 year ago
  • Antonmedv/walk: Terminal file manager
    Was there something before https://midnight-commander.org/ or was that the OG? - Source: Hacker News / almost 2 years ago
  • How to move a directory to ../ if there is a directory with same name?
    Just use mc (midnight commander) it not only is a terminal based file manager but it will give you the command lines used to do so GNU MIDNIGHT COMMANDER. Source: almost 2 years ago
  • What's that email client doing here?
    Given that you can run shells in Emacs since those are text too, Emacs ends up becoming almost like a Lisp-powered tmux or mc. Source: about 2 years ago
View more

What are some alternatives?

When comparing FreeCommander and Midnight Commander, you can also consider the following products

Total Commander - A Shareware file manager for Windows® 95/98/ME/NT/2000/XP/Vista/7, and Windows® 3.1.

Double Commander - Double Commander is a cross-platform open source file manager with two panels side by side.

XYplorer - File Manager for Windows

Thunar - Thunar is a modern file manager for the Xfce Desktop Environment.

Directory Opus - Directory Opus for Windows - the Ultimate Windows File manager and Explorer Replacement. DownloadOpus 12: To update to the latest version, simply download and . BuyThank you for your interest in Directory Opus!

Krusader - Krusader is an advanced twin panel (commander style) file manager for KDE and other desktops in the *nix world, similar to Midnight or Total Commander.‎Get your copy of the Krusader .