Midnight Commander vs GNOME Commander

Midnight Commander8.6Visit GCGNOME Commander8.5Visit

Higher score Midnight Commander #6 in File Manager Software 8.6/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 3 of 6 features Visit site

vs

GC GNOME Commander #7 in File Manager Software 8.5/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 3 of 6 features Try GNOME Commander

• Midnight Commander fits best

  Linux and macOS terminal users

• GNOME Commander fits best

  Linux users wanting a graphical twin-panel manager

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Side by side

Feature	Midnight Commander 8.6/10 Visit ↗	GCGNOME Commander 8.5/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	8.6	8.5
Ranking	#6 in File Manager Software	#7 in File Manager Software
Best for	Linux and macOS terminal users	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, macOS	Linux
Support	Community, Docs	Docs
Built for	Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise	Solo, Small business
Features Midnight Commander 3/6 · GNOME Commander 3/6
Dual-pane view	✓	✓
Tabbed interface	Not checked yet	✓ (best)
Batch rename	✓	✓
Archive support	✓ (best)	Not checked yet
Cloud storage access	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Portable version	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Specs
Supported platforms	linux, macos	linux
Our review
Pros	Dual-pane browsing with core file operations and tree navigation Batch selection, mask-based renaming, archives, search, and diffs Works in terminals over SSH and other remote shells	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	Text-mode design may not suit users seeking a graphical file manager Volunteer-based support does not include commercial-grade service levels Focused on Unix-like systems rather than broad desktop platform coverage	Linux desktop only Documentation is the listed support channel Advanced controls may exceed the needs of casual file browsing
Our verdict	Midnight Commander is a free, open-source, full-screen file manager for Unix-like systems, aimed at people who manage files from Linux or macOS terminals. Its two directory panels provide a focused way to navigate folders and perform… 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 →

Strengths and trade-offs

• Midnight Commander — where it wins

  • Dual-pane browsing with core file operations and tree navigation
  • Batch selection, mask-based renaming, archives, search, and diffs
  • Works in terminals over SSH and other remote shells

  Where it doesn't

  • Text-mode design may not suit users seeking a graphical file manager
  • Volunteer-based support does not include commercial-grade service levels
  • Focused on Unix-like systems rather than broad desktop platform coverage

• 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

• Midnight Commander8.6/10 · Free plan

  A capable open-source terminal file manager for Linux and macOS workflows.

  Visit siteFull verdict →
• GCGNOME Commander8.5/10 · Free plan

  A free, open-source Linux manager for advanced file operations and remote connections.

  Try GNOME CommanderFull verdict →