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.
In this section, we will discuss the best Linux file managers available. The following list is based on the popularity, features, and latest update of these file managers. Every Linux file manager will include its features, pros & cons, and installation process.
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.
Dolphin
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. It is an easy-to-use and lightweight tool by design, but you can extend its functionalities through various plugins. It is fully compliant with standards and accessible using assistive technologies. There are no confusing or unnecessary options on its interface, making it easy to use.
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.
Thunar
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.
Konqueror
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.
Nemo
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.
PCmanFM
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.
Double Commander
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.
Gnome Files
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.
nnn
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.
Krusader
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.
Midnight Commander
Installation Process of Midnight Commander:
For Installing Midnight Commander, either execute the following command or download it from its official website:
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For Ubuntu:
apt install mc
For Fedora:
dnf install mc
— Update: 19-03-2023 — us.suanoncolosence.com found an additional article Best File Managers and File Explorers for Linux from the website itsfoss.com for the keyword what are the best linux file managers.
Most Linux distributions come with a file manager to give you easy access to the files stored on your system.
That's because most distros come preinstalled with a desktop environment, and file explorer is an integral part.
But if you are one of those rare Linux users who take the matter into their hands and configure things as per your preferences, you can install and use another file manager.
But what choices do you have regarding the file manager on Linux?
I'll answer to that question in this article. I have also added a few file browsers that work in the terminal.
Sounds interesting? Let's see them one by one. I tried most of the file managers on Ubuntu to test for this article. You can try it on any Linux distribution of your choice.
1. Dolphin
Dolphin is the default file manager on KDE-powered distributions. It is a simple-looking, feature-rich, and fast tool to explore and work on files in your system.
It may not be the most modern approach to user experience, but it works and offers useful features to take control of your files. Some of its highlights include:
- Lightweight, efficient and highly customizable/configurable
- Tab view and Split View
- Plugin Support for extended functionality
- File Preview features and Undo/Redo options
- Grid view, detailed view and tree view
- Can display files and folders from many Internet cloud services
- Integrated Terminal
Install Dolphin on Linux
For Ubuntu-based distros, download it from the official repository using the following command:
sudo apt install dolphin
Or, install the Flatpak edition from Flathub.
2. Nautilus
Files or popularly known as Nautilus is the default file manager for GNOME-powered distributions like Fedora and Ubuntu.
For Ubuntu, it looks a bit different due to the customizations by Canonical.
It provides a clean and modern user experience while offering the essential features in a file manager. Some highlights include:
- Plugin and script support
- Responsive UI (with GNOME 43 or above)
- Simple and easy to use file manager
- Integration for various cloud services including Google Drive
Install Nautilus on Linux
You can install nautilus on Ubuntu-based distros from the official repository using the command:
sudo apt install nautilus
3. Krusader
If you are looking for a file manager with two split panels by default, Krusader can be your solution.
It is an advanced file manager primarily built for KDE experience and also works for other desktop environments. Some of its capabilities include:
- Extensive archive handling
- Mounted filesystem support
- File transfers with (S)FTP
- Advanced search module
- Copy/move queues
- An internal viewer and editor
- Directory synchronisation
- File content comparisons
- Powerful batch renaming
Krusader is fit for users who want to use some features highlighted. If you want a simple and no-nonsense option, this is not for you.
Install Krusader on Linux
You can install it from the official repository using the command below:
sudo apt install krusader
To explore instructions for other distributions, visit its official installation page.
4. Nemo
Nemo is Linux Mint's default file manager in Cinnamon desktop edition. It is a sleek-looking file manager with various utilities baked with it.
It is primarily tailored for the cinnamon desktop. So, it may not be a flawless experience on other distributions. But, it worked with the Ubuntu distribution tested for this article.
Some of the best things about Nemo file manager include:
- Plugin Support
- User-defined scripts and actions to enhance functionality
- Dual-pane view supported.
- Tree view.
- Bookmark management capabilities and more.
Install Nemo on Linux
You can easily get it installed through the repository by using the following command on Ubuntu-based distros:
sudo apt install nemo
5. Thunar
Thunar is one of the most loved file managers when it comes to a lightweight tool to explore files in a system.
It is the default choice for Xfce-based distributions. Out of the box, it may not be the most modern implementation of what you would expect from a file manager, but it works fast, and has evolved over the years to stay relevant.
The best part of Thunar includes:
- Lightweight
- Bulk renaming of multiple files at once.
- Terminal emulator integration.
- File emblems to mark and identify.
- Supports plugins.
- Samba integration support.
Install Thunar on Linux
Similar to most others, you can install it using the official repository using the following command:
sudo apt install thunar
6. Caja
Want a simple file manager? Caja should do the job. It is the default file manager for MATE desktop environment.
It takes a straightforward approach with an easy-to-use interface and supports essential functionalities like:
- Can access local and remote filesystems such as SSH, FTP, and WebDav (HTTP/HTTPS).
- Simple UI
- Split view
- Tree view
- Emblems for folders.
- Script support and good customizability.
Install Caja on Linux
To install it on any Ubuntu-based distros, use the command below:
sudo apt install caja
It also provides a quick build procedure if you want to install it from source.
7. Konqueror
Konqueror is yet another file management solution with features like Dolphin primarily tailored for KDE platforms.
However, unlike some other options, it also acts as a web browser. In addition, there are embedded applications to preview files and pictures.
It is safe to say that Konqueror is a powerful file management option. Some of the best qualities include:
- All-in-one tool for file-management and file previewing.
- Webbrowsing using KHTML or KDE WebKit as rendering engines
- File management using most of Dolphin’s features (including version-control, service menus and the basic UI)
- File management on ftp and sftp servers
- Full-featured FTP-client
- Various plugins supported.
Install Konqueror on Linux
sudo apt install konqueror
8. PCManFM
LXDE may not be the most popular desktop environment, but its default file manager PCManFM can be helpful to users searching for a fast experience.
It should be suitable for most common file management and viewing operations.
- Default file manager for the LXDE Desktop Environment.
- Drag and drop support.
- Tabbed windows.
- Different types of file view supported.
Install PCManFM on Linux
For any Ubuntu-based distro, you can install the file manager using the command below:
sudo apt install pcmanfm
9. X File Explorer (XFE)
May not be a choice to fall in love at first sight, eh?
But, before you judge it for its old school look, and layout, XFE presents itself as a compact, and fast file manager program. It does not require numerous utilities along with it to make things work.
Some highlights include:
- Small, very fast and only requires the FOX library to be fully functional
- It can be launched from the command line
- HiDPI monitor support, UTF-8 support
- Integrated text editor or viewer, image viewer, RPM or DEB packages viewer / installer / uninstaller
- Custom shell scripts
Install XFE on Linux
Unlike other options, you cannot easily install it. To build it, you need to install FOX library first and then build it.
You can follow its official instructions to go about it.
10. Midnight Commander
If you want a text-based file explorer, Midnight Commander would be the perfect it.
The key highlights for it include:
- Search feature
- Easy move and make directories
- Access a menu for more options
- Handles all kinds of files, including archives
Install Midnight Commander on Linux
You can find it from the official repositories on various Linux distributions. For Ubuntu-based options, use the following command to install it:
sudo apt install mc
11. Ranger
Ranger is a Vim-inspired file manager for terminal lovers. You can utilize the same key bindings to navigate through the interface and explore files.
You can configure it to your liking if you are an advanced user.
Some key highlights include
- Ships with rifle file launcher, which is good at automatically finding which program to use for what file type.
- Multi-pane view mode
- Preview of selected file / directory
- Tabs, bookmark, and mouse support
Install Ranger on Linux
Type in the following command in the terminal to get it installed on a Ubuntu-based distro:
sudo apt install ranger
You might want to explore its GitHub page for instructions to use/configure on other distributions.
12. Worker
If you are looking for an advanced file management companion, and a two-pane view, Worker gets the pick.
You can get access to commands using the keyboard, and perform various file manipulation operations with ease.
Some key features include:
- Two pane view
- Full keyboard control
- Keeps history of files accessed for easy access
- VFS support (fast and easy access to archives and remote sites, access FTP sites without third party)
- Separate or embedded pane text viewer
- UTF-8 support and DND support
Install Worker on Linux
Worker offers pre-compiled binaries for various distributions. You can head to its download page to find them, or install it through the terminal using the command below:
sudo apt install worker
13. ViFM
ViFM is a nice command-line based file manager that lets you navigate using the keyboard.
Similar to Ranger, it supports Vim-like keybindings. We already have an article explaining the tool separately. You can refer to the in-depth article to know what it offers.
You can install it quickly on Ubuntu-based distros with the command:
sudo apt install vifm
Suggested Read 📖
14. Ytree
A curses-based file manager. Ytree is effective for browsing filesystems and archives.
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Some special abilities include:
- Support external program to view/edit files
- Configurable and supports different architectures
- Fast and lightweight
Install Ytree on Linux
You can easily install it on any Ubuntu-based distro with the command:
sudo apt install ytree
Explore more options for other distros/platforms on its official site.
15. 4Pane
4Pane is an interesting file manager that gives you great configurability while aiming to eliminate bloat offered.
It supports various advanced features and claims to work on major distributions.
An overview of its key highlights include:
- Multi-pane
- Multiple undo / redo (including deletion)
- Archive management and virtual browsing inside archives
- A terminal emulator and user-defined tools
- GTK style appearance
Install 4Pane on Linux
You can install it using the official package in the repository for Debian-based distros using the command below:
sudo apt install 4pane
Conclusion
As you can see, plenty of choices are available for file managers on Linux. Most of them are part of desktop environments. A few are standalone applications.
The TUI file browsers make it easier to keep an eye on your files and folders in the terminal.
If you are installing Arch or Linux From Scratch and using an obscure window manager, you can easily try any of the above-mentioned file managers.
💬 Personally, I stick with the default file manager provided by the distribution. How about you? Are you the explorer kind? Have you tried different file managers? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
— Update: 19-03-2023 — us.suanoncolosence.com found an additional article 10 Best File Managers for Linux Power Users from the website www.makeuseof.com for the keyword what are the best linux file managers.
File managers are essential for managing everyday activities on your Linux system. A reliable file manager provides a simpler way of navigation and makes file operations quicker. Linux offers a wide selection of such tools to help us make the most out of our time.
To help you find the best file managers for Linux, we're outlining 10 apps that warrant a try.
1. Dolphin
Dolphin is a robust file manager and is the default option for the KDE Plasma Environment. It is a full-featured application with several innovative features up its sleeve. In terms of design, Dolphin looks and feels quite sleek. The user interface feels natural and clutter-free. It's also relatively lightweight.
Dolphin supports three separate viewing modes, including the classic grid view and a tree view. Users can also view files or directories from cloud services as well as remote desktops. Moreover, Dolphin comes with an integrated terminal and has in-built support for multi-pane views.
Download: Dolphin (Free)
2. Nemo
Nemo is a feature-rich file manager that provides a clean, fast, and productive GUI interface. It is a fork of the famous Nautilus file manager and utilizes GNOME's Virtual filesystem (GVfs). The dual-pane mode of this tool makes it easy to copy or move files across different locations.
Nemo also offers reliable bookmark management capabilities and navigation options. You can view the progress of your file operations in the window list and title.
Download: Nemo (Free)
3. GNOME Files
GNOME Files is the default file manager for the GNOME desktop environment. It was formerly known as Nautilus, and the development team still refers to it by that name. It is a simple yet effective file manager with numerous user-friendly features. The user interface itself is simple and pretty straightforward.
GNOME Files offers the flexibility to revert harmful operations like accidental file deletion. The search functionality of this Linux file manager is also very productive. Plus, you can choose from many different plugins for added features.
Download: GNOME Files (Free)
4. nnn
nnn is a fast terminal-based file manager for Linux. It offers a plethora of robust functionalities that make file operations effortless. Some key features of nnn include its ability to analyze disk usage, launching apps, and renaming batch photos. You can also choose from a great selection of plugins for extra features like mounting disks, file preview, etc.
Moreover, nnn offers two independent Vim plugins for vim aficionados. The low resource usage of this file manager also makes it lucrative. However, there will be some learning curve before you feel confident with nnn. It should feel natural once you master the console interface.
Download: nnn (Free)
5. Krusader
Krusader is an advanced file manager for the KDE Plasma Environment. You can use it on any desktop by just installing some KDE libraries. It is a twin-panel file manager similar to Midnight and Total Commander. Its elegant interface also makes for an exciting user experience, and its solid feature set helps with file management.
Moreover, you can find some pretty helpful Krusader plugins on the KDE Store. Overall, Krusader is an excellent choice for users who value design and performance.
Download: Krusader (Free)
6. Double Commander
Double Commander is a two-pane file manager that offers several solid features. It is inspired by Total Commander, a Windows-only file manager with similar features. Some of the app's key features are its tabbed interface, batch rename support, built-in text editor, file viewer, and customizable button bar. You can use the file viewer for viewing hex, binary, and text data as well.
Besides, it allows us to copy files to and from several archive formats, including tar, zip, rar, gz, and bz2. You can also use some of the popular Total Commander plugins readily. So, give it a try if you're on the hunt for a powerful twin-pane file manager for Linux.
Download: Double Commander (Free)
7. Thunar
Thunar is a modern, fast, and reliable file manager for XFCE and other popular desktop environments for Linux. It has near-instant load time, and the navigation is also quick. The clean GUI interface is beginner-friendly and offers a smooth user experience. Its robust settings editor makes tweaking the options simpler.
Plus, you can add features like bulk renaming, custom actions, and volume management via plugins. Overall, Thunar is a great option for XFCE users as well as anyone looking for a lightweight but capable file manager.
Download: Thunar (Free)
8. Ranger
Ranger is a terminal-based file manager inspired by Vim. It's an excellent tool for users who want to make the most out of Vim keybindings. Ranger has a minimalistic user interface which makes navigation straightforward. It offers features like UTF-8 encoding, mouse support, file previews, image preview, batch renaming, and so on.
The Vim-like console of this Linux file manager allows us to use the same hotkeys for file management. Ranger also offers support for multi-pane views. So, give it a spin if you want to try some console-based file managers for Linux.
Download: Ranger (Free)
9. Konqueror
Konqueror is another solid file manager from the KDE ecosystem. It is unique in the sense that it not only acts as a file manager but also a web browser. This makes Konqueror a versatile choice for many Linux users, especially the ones using KDE. It offers most of Dolphin's functionalities, such as version control and tabbed UI. Konqueror also supports multiple panes and embeds apps for file previews.
Like with many other popular file managers, you can use third-party plugins for adding additional features to Konqueror. So, if you are looking for a powerful multi-purpose file manager, give Konqueror a shot.
Download: Konqueror (Free)
10. SpaceFM
SpaceFM is a feature-rich yet flexible file manager for Linux. It provides a multi-pane, multi-tab interface, which makes file management much more straightforward. It's built using GTK and is highly extendable, allowing users to tweak everything from the menus to actions.
Moreover, you can easily extend SpaceFM's functionality by using personalized scripts. Overall, it's a good option for users who want lightweight Linux file managers but don't want to cut on features.
Download: SpaceFM (Free)
Managing Your Files on Linux
The growing number of quality Linux file managers makes it hard to choose the best tool out of the available options. Thankfully on Linux, we can try and test many different apps and see what works best for us.
Beginners who don't have enough experience with the command-line can choose from several graphical options such as Dolphin and GNOME Files. Power users, on the other hand, can fiddle with more advanced tools like nnn, Konqueror, or Ranger.
— Update: 19-03-2023 — us.suanoncolosence.com found an additional article Best File Managers for Ubuntu and Other Linux Distributions from the website linuxopsys.com for the keyword what are the best linux file managers.
File management is one of the most essential and frequently carried out tasks carried out by Linux users. This involves locating, copying, moving, and deleting files and directories. In a GUI environment, the file manager, as the name suggests, allows you to seamlessly manage your files in a Linux environment. There are quite a number of file managers that can come in handy and make file management a delightful experience.
This guide covers some of the best file managers for Ubuntu and other Linux distributions.
1. Nautilus
Nautilus the default file manager in Ubuntu that comes with the GNOME desktop environment. Nautilus is a GUI-based file manager that provides a simple way to manage your files and applications.
Main features include:
- The ability to display the contents of your home directory with one mouse click.
- Gives you access to both local and remote files.
- Allows you to customize the appearance of files and folders.
- Saves frequently accessed elements in the Favorites folder for quick reference.
- Archive file handling- Displays the content of a ZIP, tarball, RPM, CPIO, or other archive formats.
To install Nautilus on Ubuntu 22.04, run the command:
sudo apt install nautilus2. Konqueror
Konqueror is a versatile and powerful file management tool that also functions as a web browser and FTP client. It is a core part of the KDE Software Compilation and is distributed under the GNU GPLv2 License. It can run on most Unix-like operating systems.
Konqueror allows browsing your local directory- to locate, copy, view, move, or delete files. It also allows browsing in different views, which differ in their usage of icons and layout.
Main features include:
- Split views and multiple tabs for easier navigation of files.
- Support for downloading files from FTP, HTTP, and BitTorrent sites.
- Remote file management system using KIO system.
- Integration with KDE applications such as KGet Download manager.
- Automatic updating of directories.
- It uses KHTML as its browser engine which is compliant with HTML and also supports JavaScript, CSS, and other standards.
To install Konqueror on Ubuntu 22.04, run the command:
sudo apt install konqueror3. Dolphin
Dolphin is a lightweight KDE file manager that focuses on usability. Browsing, creating, moving, or deleting files is simple and fast. Dolphin contains plenty of productivity features that will improve your workflow and save time.
Dolphin supports several view modes: a grid view of all the files, a more detailed view, and a tree view. You can customize Dolphin and carry out file management according to your specific needs.
Key features include:
- Built-in terminal emulator: The terminal emulator Konsole can be displayed in Dolphin allowing you to run commands in the current folder.
- Multiple tabs and split view for navigating multiple folders at a time.
- Navigation bar for URLs, allowing users to navigate through the local directory hierarchy.
- Transparent network access through the KIO system.
- Support for dockable panels for additional information, and folders.
- You can extend functionality with powerful plugins to suit your workflow.
To install Dolphin on Ubuntu 22.04, execute the command:
sudo apt install dolphin4. Krusader
Krusader is a powerful twin-panel file manager modeled after the Midnight Commander file manager. It is built for KDE Plasma and other desktops in the *nix world. The Krusader GUI come with dual panel where files and folders are displayed. This makes drag and drop, and copying from one panel a whole lot easier.
Krusader comes with more features that enhance the functionality of Midnight Commander, and these include:
- Terminal integration – Terminal that allows you to enter CLI commands for the active panel.
- An internal viewer and editor.
- Support for File transfers with (S)FTP.
- Archive file handling- Displays the content of a ZIP, tarball, RPM, CPIO, or other archive formats.
- Directory synchronization.
- Powerful batch renaming.
- File content comparisons.
- Easy editing of file permissions and ownership.
To install Krusader on Ubuntu 22.04, execute the command:
sudo apt install krusader5. Thunar
Thunar is a simple, modern file management tool for the Xfce Desktop Environment. It is lightweight and focuses on usability, but its functionality can be extended through third-party plugins.
Key features include:
- Bulk Renaming – allows users to rename multiple files at once.
- Terminal emulator integration.
- Support third-party plugins that extend functionality. Some of them include the media tags plugin, volume manager, and VCS plugin.
- Emblems – allows you to visually mark your files and folders for quick reference.
To install Thunar on Ubuntu 22.04, execute the command:
sudo apt install thunar6. Nemo file manager
Nemo is a relatively new file manager for the cinnamon desktop environment. It ships with Linux Mint. It is a fork of GNOME and allows you to browse and preview files and launch applications associated with them. It works on local and remote filesystems.
Nemo also comes with new extensions such as Nemo-image-converter, Nemo-filename-repairer and Nemo-emblems.
Key features include:
- Supports tree view for directories.You can browse folders by parent and child view.
- Display free hard disk space in the sidebar and bottom information bar.
- Supports dual-panel view.
- Includes an option to open any location as a root user
- Supports mounting and unmounting of external media
- Bulk renaming of files and folders
- Nemo allows toolbar customization
- Opens in terminal
- Displays File operations progress information
To install Nemo file manager, run the command:
sudo apt install nemo7. Sunflower file manager
Sunflower is a powerful file manager for your Linux Desktop, written in Python. It is easy to use and integrates seamlessly into the GNOME desktop environment.
Key features include:
- Emblems that allow you to visually mark your files and folders for quick reference.
- A built-in terminal that allows for quick access to the command line.
- Support for multithreading.
- Easily extensible with Python and GTK+
- Supports plugins that extend its functionality
To install Sunflower file manager, first download the Sunflower Debian package.
wget https://sunflower-fm.org/pub/sunflower-0.5.63-1.all.debsudo dpkg -i sunflower-0.5.63-1.all.debConclusion
File managers help improve your user interaction with the desktop. Linux provides several viable choices and each one mentioned above will most likely meet most of your needs. Choose a file manager that works best for you. All these file managers are open-source and free to use.
Among file managers, Nemo and Thunar are my favorites. Please advise yours.
Source: https://www.geeksforgeeks.org/10-best-file-managers-for-linux/