Best Terminal File Managers in 2026
Updated
In short: FileManagerTUI is ranked #1 of 28 as of 4 October 2026, ahead of Broot and far2l. The best-ranked option with a free plan is Broot.
A terminal file manager gives you a way to navigate and handle files from the command line. Compare dual-pane layouts and preview panes for browsing, and check archive support and remote file access against the tasks you handle. Linux, macOS, and Windows support help you assess compatibility with your systems; free-plan availability and paid-from pricing add cost context. FileManagerTUI, Broot, and far2l are among the entries, along with Newt and Rat Commander. Think about how you prefer to inspect and move through files, then weigh those needs against the listed platform and feature details.
28 terminal file managers ranked on what their makers publish — plans and prices, free tiers, platforms and the facts on their own pages.
Terminal File Managers, ranked on how quickly a newcomer can get going. 10 of the 25 on this page can be tried for free.
- 1 FileManagerTUIFree plan
- Free to practise on: yes
- Free trial: not on record
- Well documented: yes
- Runs where you work: yes
- 2 BrootFree plan
- Free to practise on: yes
- Free trial: not on record
- Well documented: yes
- Runs where you work: yes
- 3 far2lFree plan
- Free to practise on: yes
- Free trial: not on record
- Well documented: yes
- Runs where you work: not on record
- 4 NewtFree plan
- Free to practise on: yes
- Free trial: not on record
- Well documented: yes
- Runs where you work: yes
- 5 Rat CommanderFree plan
- Free to practise on: yes
- Free trial: not on record
- Well documented: yes
- Runs where you work: yes
- 6 superfileFree plan
- Free to practise on: yes
- Free trial: not on record
- Well documented: yes
- Runs where you work: yes
- 7 pointerFree plan
- Free to practise on: yes
- Free trial: not on record
- Well documented: yes
- Runs where you work: not on record
- 8 ZetaFree plan
- Free to practise on: yes
- Free trial: not on record
- Well documented: yes
- Runs where you work: yes
- 9 RunaFree plan
- Free to practise on: yes
- Free trial: not on record
- Well documented: yes
- Runs where you work: yes
- 10 Deepfence SecretScannerFree plan
- Free to practise on: yes
- Free trial: not on record
- Well documented: yes
- Runs where you work: not on record
- 11 Clifm
- Free to practise on: not on record
- Free trial: not on record
- Well documented: yes
- Runs where you work: yes
- 12 elio
- Free to practise on: not on record
- Free trial: not on record
- Well documented: yes
- Runs where you work: yes
- 13 nnn
- Free to practise on: not on record
- Free trial: not on record
- Well documented: yes
- Runs where you work: yes
- 14 Termix
- Free to practise on: not on record
- Free trial: not on record
- Well documented: yes
- Runs where you work: yes
- 15 Middle Manager
- Free to practise on: not on record
- Free trial: not on record
- Well documented: yes
- Runs where you work: not on record
- 16 TUIFIManager
- Free to practise on: not on record
- Free trial: not on record
- Well documented: not on record
- Runs where you work: yes
- 17 UnixTree
- Free to practise on: not on record
- Free trial: not on record
- Well documented: not on record
- Runs where you work: yes
- 18 Vifm
- Free to practise on: not on record
- Free trial: not on record
- Well documented: not on record
- Runs where you work: yes
- 19 xplr
- Free to practise on: not on record
- Free trial: not on record
- Well documented: not on record
- Runs where you work: not on record
- 20 Yazi
- Free to practise on: not on record
- Free trial: not on record
- Well documented: not on record
- Runs where you work: yes
- 21 cfiles
- Free to practise on: not on record
- Free trial: not on record
- Well documented: not on record
- Runs where you work: not on record
- 22 Joshuto
- Free to practise on: not on record
- Free trial: not on record
- Well documented: not on record
- Runs where you work: not on record
- 23 Midnight Commander
- Free to practise on: not on record
- Free trial: not on record
- Well documented: not on record
- Runs where you work: not on record
- 24 Far Manager
- Free to practise on: not on record
- Free trial: not on record
- Well documented: not on record
- Runs where you work: not on record
- 25 ranger
- Free to practise on: not on record
- Free trial: not on record
- Well documented: not on record
- Runs where you work: not on record
Compare all 25 in a table
| # | Platform | Score | Free plan | From | Free plan | Paid from | Dual-pane layout | Linux support |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | FileManagerTUI | 7.2 | Free plan | Free | Yes | — | Yes | Yes |
| 2 | Broot | 7.1 | Free plan | Free | Yes | — | Yes | Yes |
| 3 | far2l | 7.1 | Free plan | Free | Yes | — | — | Yes |
| 4 | Newt | 7.1 | Free plan | Free | Yes | — | Yes | Yes |
| 5 | Rat Commander | 7.1 | Free plan | Free | Yes | — | Yes | Yes |
| 6 | superfile | 7.1 | Free plan | Free | Yes | — | Yes | Yes |
| 7 | pointer | 6.9 | Free plan | Free | Yes | — | Yes | Yes |
| 8 | Zeta | 6.9 | Free plan | Free | — | — | Yes | Yes |
| 9 | Runa | 6.8 | Free plan | Free | Yes | — | Yes | Yes |
| 10 | Deepfence SecretScanner | 6.6 | Free plan | Free | — | — | — | — |
| 11 | Clifm | 6.2 | No | — | — | — | No | Yes |
| 12 | elio | 6.2 | No | — | — | — | No | Yes |
| 13 | nnn | 6.2 | No | — | — | — | No | Yes |
| 14 | Termix | 6.1 | No | — | — | — | No | Yes |
| 15 | Middle Manager | 6.0 | No | — | — | — | Yes | Yes |
| 16 | TUIFIManager | 6.0 | No | — | — | — | — | Yes |
| 17 | UnixTree | 6.0 | No | — | — | — | No | Yes |
| 18 | Vifm | 6.0 | No | — | Yes | — | Yes | — |
| 19 | xplr | 6.0 | No | — | Yes | — | Yes | Yes |
| 20 | Yazi | 6.0 | No | — | Yes | — | — | — |
| 21 | cfiles | 5.9 | No | — | Yes | — | — | Yes |
| 22 | Joshuto | 5.9 | No | — | Yes | — | — | Yes |
| 23 | Midnight Commander | 5.9 | No | — | Yes | — | Yes | — |
| 24 | Far Manager | 5.8 | No | — | Yes | — | Yes | — |
| 25 | ranger | 5.7 | No | — | Yes | — | Yes | — |
Is your platform on this list?
Numbered spots on this list can be sponsored, and a sponsored row is labelled as paid.
Questions about this list
Which terminal file manager is ranked first on The Geeks Club?
FileManagerTUI is ranked #1 of 28 with a score of 7.2. Broot is second and far2l third.
How many of these have a free plan?
10 of the 25 on this page publish a free plan on their own pricing pages.
How is this list ranked?
Ranked on how quickly a newcomer can get going: documentation depth, a free tier or trial, and the platforms it runs on.