Dolphin vs ForkLift

Dolphin9.1Visit ForkLift6.7Visit

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

vs

ForkLift #23 in File Manager Software 6.7/10 Paid ✓ 5 of 6 features Visit ForkLift

• Dolphin fits best

  Free Linux users wanting a standard desktop manager

• ForkLift fits best

  Mac power users and small businesses

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Side by side

Feature	Dolphin 9.1/10 Visit ↗	ForkLift 6.7/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	9.1	6.7
Ranking	#2 in File Manager Software	#23 in File Manager Software
Best for	Free Linux users wanting a standard desktop manager	Mac power users and small businesses
Pricing model	Free	Paid
Starting price	Free plan	$19.95 one-time
Free plan	✓ (best)	—
Free trial	—	—
Deployment	Desktop	Desktop
Platforms	Linux, Windows	macOS
Support	Community, Docs	Email, Docs
Integrations	5 integrations	13 integrations
Built for	Solo, Small business	Solo, Small business, Mid-market
Features Dolphin 5/6 · ForkLift 5/6
Dual-pane view	✓	✓
Tabbed interface	✓	✓
Batch rename	✓	✓
Archive support	✓	✓
Cloud storage access	✓	✓
Portable version	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Specs
Supported platforms	linux, windows	macos
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	Broad remote, cloud, and network connection support Powerful search, synchronization, and batch-renaming tools Git actions, remote editing, archives, tags, and workspaces
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	Available only for macOS No free plan Included updates end after one or two years
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 →	ForkLift is a macOS file manager and file-transfer client built for people who manage local files alongside remote servers, cloud storage, and network shares. Its dual-pane layout supports copying and organizing across locations, while… 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

• ForkLift — where it wins

  • Broad remote, cloud, and network connection support
  • Powerful search, synchronization, and batch-renaming tools
  • Git actions, remote editing, archives, tags, and workspaces

  Where it doesn't

  • Available only for macOS
  • No free plan
  • Included updates end after one or two years

• Dolphin9.1/10 · Free plan

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

  Visit KDEFull verdict →
• ForkLift6.7/10 · Paid

  A capable Mac file manager for local, remote, cloud, and Git-based workflows.

  Visit ForkLiftFull verdict →