10 Best File Managers For Linux

File Managers are something that is required to manage your daily activities quickly. Using file managers, you can copy, move, rename, and delete files, manage space, manage disks, etc. As a user, we all look for an easy and simple file manager to handle these tasks without having any trouble. Mostly default file managers come with simple UI but standard features.

However, you can also install different file managers that are full of rich features to meet your requirements. So if you are a Linux user and want to use different file managers, don't worry, as many such tools are available online. In this blog, we will explain everything about the top Linux file managers you can try today to manage your tasks.

Top Linux File Managers to Try

Here, we will explore the top Linux file managers that stand out due to their popularity, features, and updates. Each entry includes a brief overview, key features, pros and cons, installation instructions, and suitable use cases.

1. Dolphin

Dolphin is a file manager of KDE that you can install for free. It allows you to view the contents of your SD cards, USB drives, and hard drives with a simple UI. You can create, copy, move, rename, and delete files with high flexibility. Dolphin is a convenient file management tool that makes managing files much more accessible.

If you want to extend its abilities using different plugins, you can download them from its official website. Mainly, tree view, grid view, and detail view are three view modes of Dolphin. You can use Dolphin as a single file manager for both network and local files stored in your Linux machine.  

Key Features:  

• You can use various plugins to extend Dolphin's features.
• A built-in terminal allows a user to run any command from a particular folder.
• It has a navigation bar for URLs that lets users browse local directories.
• There is a split view and a multiple tab feature for navigating various folders at once.
• It supports a dockable panel for additional information.
• A right-click menu in the Dolphin file manager provides various quick options to share, duplicate, and compress files easily.

Pros:

• Flexible interface with multiple view modes.
• Suitable for network and local file management.
• Supports a wide range of plugins for customization.

Cons:

• May consume more system resources on lower-end hardware.
• KDE dependencies might need to be installed if using a non-KDE environment.

Installation Process of Dolphin:

You can use the following commands or visit the official website to download and install Dolphin Linux:  

For Ubuntu:

apt install dolphin

For Fedora:

dnf install dolphin

2. Thunar

Thunar is a fantastic file manager that is designed to be faster and more responsive than other file managers. It is developed for the XFCE Desktop Environment and loaded with the GNOME accessibility toolkit to offer higher accessibility. The name "Thunar" is adopted from the Norse Mythology, where Thunar is the god of thunder that uses a hammer called Mjölnir.  

Key Features:

• Thunar has an in-built terminal emulator.
• Users can do renaming of multiple files at once.
• Users can rename multiple files at the same time.
• It supports emblems to mark folders for a fast and visual reference.
• Users can use multiple plugins in Thunar to enhance its features.
• It has a volume manager to manage removable media devices automatically.
• It has a "Send To" option for sending the files or folders with a single click.

Pros:

• Lightweight and fast, ideal for low-resource systems.
• Minimalist design with essential file management features.
• Can be easily customized with plugins.

Cons:

• Limited out-of-the-box features compared to more advanced file managers.
• Lacks advanced network file management options.

Installation Process of Thunar:

You can either download Thunar from its official website or execute the below commands in the terminal:

For Ubuntu:

apt install thunar

For Fedora:

dnf install thunar

3. Konqueror

Konqueror is a unique, free, and open-source file manager that offers web access through its web browser system. So you access local files and network files from the single file manager. The word "Konqueror" refers to a conqueror that can fulfill the requirement of both web browsers (Explorer) and file managers (Navigator).  

Both Dolphin and Konqueror have developed under KDE, but Dolphin replaced Konqueror as a default KDE file manager after KDE 4.  

Konqueror has a simple UI by which you can copy, move, search and delete the files quickly. Additionally, it has some advanced functions like SMB shares, archive access, SFTP and FTP access, and many more.  

Key Features:

• Konqueror is highly customizable to suit the user's requirements.
• It has a fully-featured FTP client, which means the user can split the view interface to display both remote and local files on the same window.
• It supports multiple plugins like KParts, KIO, Service-menus, kdegraphics-thumbnailers, and many more.
• Users can browse the web through KDEWebKit or KHTML as a rendering engine.
• It also supports downloads from different websites like BitTorrent, HTTP, HTTPS, and FTP.

Pros:

• Combines file management and web browsing in one application.
• Advanced file management capabilities, including remote access.
• Flexible and highly customizable.

Cons:

• May be too complex for users who only need a basic file manager.
• Less streamlined than Dolphin for everyday file management tasks.

Installation Process of Konqueror:

You can download Konqueror from its official website or execute the following commands for it:

For Ubuntu:

apt install konqueror

For Fedora:

dnf install konqueror

4. Nemo

Nemo is an open-source, fully-featured, and free file manager that offers a clean, fast, and simple GUI interface. It was developed by Linux Mint and first released in September 2012. For the Cinnamon desktop environment, Nemo is the default file manager.

Nemo uses both GVf ( GNOME Virtual file system) and GIO (Gnome Input/Output) for the best performance. It has a dual-pane mode by which you can easily move, copy, and paste files or folders. With this file manager, you can access both network and local files from the same window. It supports various bookmark management capabilities and powerful navigation options.  

Key Features:

• Nemo has an integrated terminal for executing commands directly from the file manager.
• It has a GTK bookmarks management option.
• It has different navigation options like refresh, up, back, and forward.
• Users can toggle between the breadcrumb widget and the path entry widget.
• Nemo has support for Media Transfer Protocol (MTP) and File Transfer Protocol (FTP).
• It supports various extensions for extending its capabilities.
• Nemo has a bulk renaming option to rename multiple folders at once.

Pros:

• Modern interface with user-friendly options.
• Advanced navigation capabilities, including refresh, back, and forward buttons.
• Active development with regular updates and improvements.

Cons:

• Requires Cinnamon libraries if used outside the Cinnamon environment.
• May not be as lightweight as other file managers.

Installation Process of Nemo:

You can run the below command in terminal or visit the Github page of Nemo to download and install it:

For Ubuntu:

apt install nemo

For Fedora:

dnf install nemo

5. PCManFM

PCManFM or PCMan File Manager was developed to replace Thunar, Konqueror, and Nautilus. It is a lightweight file manager, but it is loaded with tons of features like other file managers in Linux.  

In 2010, developers redesigned Nemo by rewriting it from scratch and configuring it differently. That's why the latest PCManFM is entirely different from its older versions. It is a free-to-use tool that was released under the GNU General Public License. The latest PCManFM-Qt works as a core component of LXQt, but the ArchLinux community moved PCManFM to GTK 3 in 2020.  

Key Features:  

• PCManFM has different features like twin-panel, bookmarks, thumbnails for pictures, and Multilingual support.
• It has multiple view options such as Icon view, detailed view, thumbnail view, and compact view.
• With volume management, users can easily mount, unmount, eject storage devices, and manage their space.
• It supports Gvf with complete access to the remote files and can handle SFTP, WebDav, and SMB.
• It has Drag & Drop support to enhance accessibility.
• PCManFM also supports various plugins by which users can customize it according to their needs.

Pros:

• Extremely lightweight, making it ideal for older systems.
• Supports remote file management out-of-the-box.
• Multilingual support and accessibility options.

Cons:

• May lack some advanced features found in more comprehensive file managers.
• Not as feature-rich as Dolphin or Konqueror.

Installation Process of PCManFM:

You can install it by executing the following commands in the terminal:  

For Ubuntu:

apt install pcmanfm

For Fedora:

dnf install pcmanfm

6. Double Commander  

Double Commander is a free-to-use file manager that you can use on both Windows and Linux. It is based on the Total Commander file manager, which is only operable on Windows. Double Commander is an in-built text editor that comes with the syntax highlighting option.  

You can easily create, maintain and display the file components due to its simple interface. It can automatically queue the operations in the background so that a user can work without facing any pop-ups. Although it was released on December 26, 2007, updates are made regularly so that glitches and bugs do not occur.

Key Features:  

• Double commander has a two-pane UI by which users can access different files simultaneously.
• It has an in-built file viewer for viewing the file in text, binary, or hex format.
• Users can rename multiple files at once through the multi-rename feature.
• It supports various archive types including, GZ, CPIO, ZIP, ZIPX, LZMA, TAR, RPM, DEB, 7Z, etc.
• It supports different plugins like Total Commander WFX, WCX, and WDX.

Pros:

• Highly customizable interface with many useful features.
• Advanced file management tools, ideal for power users.
• Regular updates and active development.

Cons:

• May be overwhelming for beginners due to its numerous features.
• The interface might feel cluttered for users who prefer minimalism.

Installation Process of Double Commander:

You can directly download Double Commander from here or execute the following command in the terminal for it:

For Ubuntu:

apt install doublecmd-gtk

For Fedora:

dnf install doublecmd-gtk

7. GNOME Files (Nautilus)

GNOME Files is the official file manager of the GNOME desktop, which was initially recognized as "Nautilus." It has a simple interface but is loaded with tons of features. You can access both local and network files from this single file manager.  

In GNOME Files, you can restore the deleted files easily. It is also very easy to search for files through its search features. Besides that, you can add various plugins to enhance its capabilities and features accordingly. GNOME Files uses an abstraction layer to browse local and remote file systems.

Key Features:  

• GNOME Files has an inbuilt tracker to provide the search results quickly.
• Users can rename multiple files at a single time using batch renaming.
• It has a simple UI and easy-to-use options.
• It supports compression and decompression options for the archive files.
• Users can add different fonts to change the appearance according to their needs.

Pros:

• Seamlessly integrates with the GNOME desktop environment.
• Easy-to-use interface for basic file management tasks.
• Regularly updated with GNOME releases.

Cons:

• May lack some advanced features present in other file managers.
• Limited customization options compared to Dolphin and Nemo.

Installation Process of GNOME Files:

You can execute the following commands or visit its official download page to download it:

For Ubuntu:

apt install nautilus

For Fedora:

dnf install nautilus

8. Nnn

Nnn or many people call it n³ is a free and CLI (Command-line Interface) file manager for Linux. It is loaded with multiple functions to make file management effortless for the user.

The primary goal of Nnn is to offer a platform that uses minimal space or memory for file management. Another benefit of this file manager is its low resource consumption. Additionally, you can add plugins to add extra features such as mounting disks, viewing files, etc. Nnn also comes with various additional features to provide an excellent file managing experience at low resources.

Key Features:

• Nnn requires low resources and lesser memory for proper file management.
• Users can add different plugins to change their features according to their needs.
• Its text-based user interface makes it easier to handle file management tasks.
• It comes with different modes so that a user can customize it accordingly.
• It provides mime information and detailed file stats.

Pros:

• Lightweight and fast, perfect for power users who prefer the command line.
• Extensible through plugins.
• Easy to use once familiar with command-line operations.

Cons:

• Not suitable for users unfamiliar with the command line.
• Lacks a graphical interface, which some users may prefer.

Installation Process of Nnn:

You can run the below command or visit the official Github page to download and install Nnn:

For Ubuntu:

apt install nnn

For Fedora:

dnf install nnn

9. Krusader

Krusader is a highly advanced two-pane file manager that comes with multiple features and a simple UI. It is highly customizable, fast, user-friendly, and a simple file manager. Although it was last updated on August 25, 2019, it is still a popular Linux file manager.  

It supports multiple archive formats including, bzip2, ZIP, ARJ, TAR, GZIP, LHA, 7Z, ACE, RPM, etc. Krusader can also handle KIO slaves like fish and SMB. Krusader has mounted filesystem support, advanced view/search/edit, batch remaining, directory synchronization, file content comparison options. You can also get multiple plugins from KDE Store to get additional capabilities in Krusader.  

Key Features:  

• Krusader supports file transfer with both FTP and SFTP.
• It has file content comparison and directory synchronization options.
• It has an in-built terminal by which the user can enter commands from any folder.
• Users can easily view and edit the file permissions.
• It has an advanced search module for better accessibility.

Pros:

• Rich set of features for power users.
• Highly customizable with many configuration options.
• Supports a wide range of file formats and protocols.

Cons:

• May be too complex for users looking for a basic file manager.
• Interface might feel dated compared to more modern file managers.

Installation Process of Krusader:

You can visit Krusader's official page or run the following commands to download and install it:  

For Ubuntu:

apt install krusader

For Fedora:

dnf install krusader

10. Midnight Commander

Midnight Commander is a CLI file manager that comes with cross-platform support. It is also known as GNU Midnight Commander as it is licensed under GNU General Public License.  

Midnight Commander is a fully-featured file manager that allows you to easily move, copy, paste, delete, and rename files or folders. You can also run commands through the subshell and include file viewer and editor options. It has two different text-mode panes, so each displays the contents of the selected directories.  

Key Features:

• Midnight Commander has a subshell by which users can run different commands.
• Users can view the files and information of RPM Packages.
• Users can easily search any file through the search option of this Linux file manager.
• It also supports the highlighting syntax option.
• Users can rename multiple files at once using its bulk rename option.

Pros:

• Works in any terminal, ideal for remote file management.
• Lightweight and highly customizable.
• Supports many file management operations via keyboard shortcuts.

Cons:

• Not suitable for users who prefer graphical interfaces.
• Requires familiarity with keyboard commands for efficient use.

Installation Process of Midnight Commander:

For Installing Midnight Commander, either execute the following command or download it from its official website:

For Ubuntu:

apt install mc

For Fedora:

dnf install mc

Conclusion

Choosing the right file manager can significantly impact your productivity and workflow on Linux. If you prefer a lightweight tool like Thunar or a feature-packed manager like Dolphin or Double Commander, there is a solution for every use case. Undoubtedly, the above information will help you get a suitable Linux file manager that can fulfill your requirements. We have included the best file managers in Linux, which we used over the years...!!