Dolphin vs Altap Salamander

Dolphin9.1Visit Altap Salamander8.2Visit

Higher score Dolphin #2 in File Manager Software 9.1/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 5 of 6 features Visit KDE

vs

Altap Salamander #10 in File Manager Software 8.2/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 4 of 6 features Try Altap Salamander

• Dolphin fits best

  Free Linux users wanting a standard desktop manager

• Altap Salamander fits best

  Windows users wanting a free all-rounder

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Side by side

Feature	Dolphin 9.1/10 Visit ↗	Altap Salamander 8.2/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	9.1	8.2
Ranking	#2 in File Manager Software	#10 in File Manager Software
Best for	Free Linux users wanting a standard desktop manager	Windows users wanting a free all-rounder
Pricing model	Free	Free
Starting price	Free plan	Free
Free plan	✓	✓
Free trial	—	—
Deployment	Desktop	Desktop
Platforms	Linux, Windows	Windows
Support	Community, Docs	Community, Docs
Integrations	5 integrations	7 integrations
Built for	Solo, Small business	Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Dolphin 5/6 · Altap Salamander 4/6
Dual-pane view	✓	✓
Tabbed interface	✓ (best)	Not checked yet
Batch rename	✓	✓
Archive support	✓	✓
Cloud storage access	✓	✓
Portable version	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Specs
Supported platforms	linux, windows	Windows
Our review
Pros	Tabbed browsing, split panes, search, and configurable file views Batch renaming, archive handling, previews, and integrated terminal access KDE integrations support remote locations and services such as Google Drive and Nextcloud	Freeware for commercial and non-commercial use Dual panels, archives, viewers, comparison and batch renaming FTP, FTPS, SCP and SFTP connectivity with plugins and scripting
Cons	Its strongest fit is within Linux-oriented desktop environments Windows builds are available, but the product centers on KDE workflows Remote and cloud access depends on KDE integrations and configured services	Windows-only availability No AI features Closed-source software
Our verdict	Dolphin is KDE’s open-source file manager for browsing and managing files on desktop computers. It handles local storage, including hard drives, USB sticks, and SD cards, while also supporting remote machines and internet cloud services… Read the review →	Altap Salamander is a two-panel file manager for Windows aimed at users who want more than basic copy-and-paste operations. It covers everyday tasks such as copying, moving, renaming and deleting files, while also adding archive handling,… Read the review →

Strengths and trade-offs

• Dolphin — where it wins

  • Tabbed browsing, split panes, search, and configurable file views
  • Batch renaming, archive handling, previews, and integrated terminal access
  • KDE integrations support remote locations and services such as Google Drive and Nextcloud

  Where it doesn't

  • Its strongest fit is within Linux-oriented desktop environments
  • Windows builds are available, but the product centers on KDE workflows
  • Remote and cloud access depends on KDE integrations and configured services

• Altap Salamander — where it wins

  • Freeware for commercial and non-commercial use
  • Dual panels, archives, viewers, comparison and batch renaming
  • FTP, FTPS, SCP and SFTP connectivity with plugins and scripting

  Where it doesn't

  • Windows-only availability
  • No AI features
  • Closed-source software

• Dolphin9.1/10 · Free plan

  A capable free file manager, especially for Linux and KDE-oriented desktops.

  Visit KDEFull verdict →
• Altap Salamander8.2/10 · Free plan

  A free Windows file manager with broad built-in tools and remote access.

  Try Altap SalamanderFull verdict →