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

Midnight Commander vs Thunar

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 5 checks side by side
Higher score Midnight Commander #6 in File Manager Software 8.6/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 3 of 6 features Visit site
Thunar #8 in File Manager Software 8.4/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 3 of 6 features Visit Thunar

Midnight Commander leads on 0 checks, Thunar 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 scoreMidnight Commander · 8.6/10
  • Free planboth

Midnight Commander scores higher on our rubric for file manager software: 8.6 against 8.4 out of 10; our editors rank them #6 and #8.

Midnight Commander is the better fit for linux and macOS terminal users. Thunar is the better fit for linux users wanting a simple free manager.

  • Midnight Commander fits best

    Linux and macOS terminal users

  • Thunar fits best

    Linux users wanting a simple free 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 Midnight Commander 8.6/10 Visit ↗ Thunar 8.4/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.6 8.4
Ranking #6 in File Manager Software #8 in File Manager Software
Best for Linux and macOS terminal users 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, macOS Linux
Support Community, Docs Docs
Built for Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Midnight Commander 3/6 · Thunar 3/6
Dual-pane view ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Tabbed interface Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Batch rename ✓ ✓
Archive support ✓ ✓
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
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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

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 →

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. Midnight CommanderFile Manager Software 8.6Free plan
  2. ThunarFile Manager Software 8.4Free plan

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

  • 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
  • Midnight Commander8.6/10 · Free plan

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

    Visit siteFull verdict →
  • Thunar8.4/10 · Free plan

    A focused, free and open-source Linux file manager with useful plugin support.

    Visit ThunarFull verdict →

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