Head-to-head · Desktop Search Software
FileLocator Pro vs dtSearch Desktop
FileLocator Pro leads on 0 checks, dtSearch Desktop on 0, and 5 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 5 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.
Our verdict
- Highest scoreFileLocator Pro · 7.5/10
- Free trialboth
FileLocator Pro scores higher on our rubric for desktop search software: 7.5 against 7.4 out of 10; our editors rank them #14 and #15.
FileLocator Pro is the better fit for windows professionals needing indexed and live search. dtSearch Desktop is the better fit for large-scale Windows investigative search.
- FileLocator Pro fits best
Windows professionals needing indexed and live search
- dtSearch Desktop fits best
Large-scale Windows investigative search
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Side by side
| Feature | FileLocator Pro 7.5/10 Visit ↗ | dtSearch Desktop 7.4/10 Visit ↗ |
|---|---|---|
| At a glance | ||
| Editor score | 7.5 | 7.4 |
| Ranking | #14 in Desktop Search Software | #15 in Desktop Search Software |
| Best for | Windows professionals needing indexed and live search | Large-scale Windows investigative search |
| Pricing model | Paid | Paid |
| Starting price | $79/user one-time | $1,225/user/yr |
| Free plan | — | — |
| Free trial | 30 days | 30 days |
| Free trial length | 30 days | 30 days |
| Money-back guarantee | 30 days | 30 days |
| Deployment | Desktop | Desktop |
| Platforms | Windows | Windows |
| Support | Email, Docs | Email, Phone, Docs |
| Built for | Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise | Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise |
| Features FileLocator Pro 3/4 · dtSearch Desktop 3/4 | ||
| Content search | ✓ | ✓ |
| Email search | ✓ | ✓ |
| Message search | — | Not checked yet |
| OCR search | ✓ | ✓ |
| Specs | ||
| Supported platforms | Windows | windows |
| Index locations | local, network | local, network |
| Indexed-item limit | Not checked yet | Not checked yet |
| Our review | ||
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| Our verdict | FileLocator Pro is a Windows desktop search tool from Mythicsoft Ltd for professionals who need to locate information across local and network files. It searches both file names and contents, including PDF, Office documents, text files,… Read the review → |
dtSearch Desktop is a Windows application for indexing and searching substantial collections of locally or network-accessible files, folders, email messages, attachments, databases, and other supported data. It is aimed at individuals and… Read the review → |
Strengths and trade-offs
FileLocator Pro — where it wins
- Searches indexed and non-indexed local or network content
- Covers email, archives, OCR, previews, reports, and exports
- Offers shareable indexes plus command-line, .NET, and COM integration
Where it doesn't
- Windows-only platform limits cross-platform use
- No free plan; the 30-day trial precedes paid licensing
- Technician and floating licenses cost more than the Standard License
dtSearch Desktop — where it wins
- Federated search across files, email, databases, and online data
- Terabyte-scale indexing with multithreaded searching and indexing
- OCR PDF search, highlighted hits, and scheduled index updates
Where it doesn't
- Windows-only desktop application
- No free plan and a $249 one-time starting price
- Investigative licensing costs $1,225 per user per year
- FileLocator Pro7.5/10 · 30-day trial
A deep Windows search tool with perpetual licensing and broad file-format coverage.
Try FileLocator ProFull verdict → - dtSearch Desktop7.4/10 · 30-day trial
A deep Windows search tool for large document collections, with a high one-time cost.
Visit dtSearchFull verdict →
All desktop search software comparisons → · Full ranking →
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Last updated · How we research and update