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Head-to-head · File Manager Software

Dolphin vs Thunar

  • 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
Thunar #8 in File Manager Software 8.4/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 3 of 6 features Visit Thunar

Dolphin leads on 0 checks, Thunar 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 8.4 out of 10; our editors rank them #2 and #8.

Dolphin is the better fit for free Linux users wanting a standard desktop manager. Thunar is the better fit for linux users wanting a simple free manager.

  • Dolphin fits best

    Free Linux users wanting a standard desktop manager

  • Thunar fits best

    Linux users wanting a simple free manager

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Side by side

Feature Dolphin 9.1/10 Visit ↗ Thunar 8.4/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.1 8.4
Ranking #2 in File Manager Software #8 in File Manager Software
Best for Free Linux users wanting a standard desktop manager Linux users wanting a simple free 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 8 integrations
Built for Solo, Small business Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Dolphin 5/6 · Thunar 3/6
Dual-pane view ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Tabbed interface ✓ ✓
Batch rename ✓ ✓
Archive support ✓ ✓
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
  • Recursive search and configurable icon or detailed-list views
  • Remote filesystem access through GVFS, including SFTP and Samba
  • Bulk renaming and archive tools available through plugins
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
  • Designed for Linux rather than cross-platform use
  • Bulk renaming and archive actions require separate plugins
  • Remote filesystem access depends on GVFS packages from the distribution
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 →

Thunar is a free, open-source desktop file manager from the Xfce Development Team. It is intended primarily for Xfce users and also suits people on other Linux desktop environments who want a focused tool for everyday file and folder…

Read the review →
  1. DolphinFile Manager Software 9.1Free plan
  2. ThunarFile Manager Software 8.4Free 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

  • Thunar — where it wins

    • Recursive search and configurable icon or detailed-list views
    • Remote filesystem access through GVFS, including SFTP and Samba
    • Bulk renaming and archive tools available through plugins

    Where it doesn't

    • Designed for Linux rather than cross-platform use
    • Bulk renaming and archive actions require separate plugins
    • Remote filesystem access depends on GVFS packages from the distribution

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