Suggestions appear as you type. Use the up and down arrows to choose one and Enter to open it.

This page's audience our own tag's counts — open to see them
–Visits
–Page views
–Clicks to vendors
–Time on page
–Reading now
Clicks to vendors, by tool
  • –
Top countries
  • –
Devices
  • –

– · visits, page views and clicks counted by our own tag, which counts more than our checked analytics; every figure rounded down · how we count

Head-to-head · File Manager Software

Dolphin vs GNOME Commander

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 6 checks side by side
Higher score Dolphin #2 in File Manager Software 9.1/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 5 of 6 features Visit KDE
GNOME Commander #7 in File Manager Software 8.5/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 3 of 6 features Try GNOME Commander

Dolphin leads on 0 checks, GNOME Commander on 0, and 6 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 6 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreDolphin · 9.1/10
  • Free planboth
  • Most featuresDolphin · 5 of 6

Dolphin scores higher on our rubric for file manager software: 9.1 against 8.5 out of 10; our editors rank them #2 and #7.

Dolphin is the better fit for free Linux users wanting a standard desktop manager. GNOME Commander is the better fit for linux users wanting a graphical twin-panel manager.

  • Dolphin fits best

    Free Linux users wanting a standard desktop manager

  • GNOME Commander fits best

    Linux users wanting a graphical twin-panel manager

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature Dolphin 9.1/10 Visit ↗ GNOME Commander 8.5/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.1 8.5
Ranking #2 in File Manager Software #7 in File Manager Software
Best for Free Linux users wanting a standard desktop manager Linux users wanting a graphical twin-panel manager
Pricing model Free Free
Starting price Free plan Free plan
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Deployment Desktop Desktop
Platforms Linux, Windows Linux
Support Community, Docs Docs
Integrations 5 integrations 5 integrations
Built for Solo, Small business Solo, Small business
Features Dolphin 5/6 · GNOME Commander 3/6
Dual-pane view ✓ ✓
Tabbed interface ✓ ✓
Batch rename ✓ ✓
Archive support ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Cloud storage access ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Portable version Not checked yet Not checked yet
Specs
Supported platforms linux, windows linux
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
  • Split panels, tabs and directory comparison support detailed file workflows
  • Searches filenames and content, with filtering and metadata-aware batch renaming
  • Connects through SSH, FTP, Windows shares and WebDAV
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
  • Linux desktop only
  • Documentation is the listed support channel
  • Advanced controls may exceed the needs of casual file browsing
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 →

GNOME Commander is a GPL-licensed, open-source graphical file manager for Linux desktops. Its twin-panel layout targets advanced users who want side-by-side folder work, keyboard-oriented navigation and more control than a basic browser.…

Read the review →
  1. DolphinFile Manager Software 9.1Free plan
  2. GNOME CommanderFile Manager Software 8.5Free plan

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

  • GNOME Commander — where it wins

    • Split panels, tabs and directory comparison support detailed file workflows
    • Searches filenames and content, with filtering and metadata-aware batch renaming
    • Connects through SSH, FTP, Windows shares and WebDAV

    Where it doesn't

    • Linux desktop only
    • Documentation is the listed support channel
    • Advanced controls may exceed the needs of casual file browsing

More comparisons

All file manager software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update