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Head-to-head · File Renaming Software

Name Mangler vs PBRenamer

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 6 checks side by side
Higher score Name Mangler #3 in File Renaming Software 8.4/10 Paid ✓ 5 of 5 features Visit Many Tricks
PBRenamer #5 in File Renaming Software 7.9/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 5 of 5 features Visit PBRenamer

Name Mangler leads on 0 checks, PBRenamer on 1, and 5 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 scoreName Mangler · 8.4/10
  • Free planonly PBRenamer

Name Mangler scores higher on our rubric for file renaming software: 8.4 against 7.9 out of 10; our editors rank them #3 and #5.

PBRenamer offers free plan; Name Mangler doesn't. On platform coverage, PBRenamer gives you Multi_platform where Name Mangler offers Macos_only.

Name Mangler is the better fit for mac users wanting cloud integrations. PBRenamer is the better fit for free cross-platform power users.

  • Name Mangler fits best

    Mac users wanting cloud integrations

  • PBRenamer fits best

    Free cross-platform power users

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Side by side

Feature Name Mangler 8.4/10 Visit ↗ PBRenamer 7.9/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.4 7.9
Ranking #3 in File Renaming Software #5 in File Renaming Software
Best for Mac users wanting cloud integrations Free cross-platform power users
Pricing model Paid Free
Starting price $19 one-time Free plan
Free plan — ✓ (best)
Free trial — —
Deployment Desktop Desktop
Platforms macOS Windows, macOS, Linux
Built for Solo, Small business Solo, Small business
Features Name Mangler 5/5 · PBRenamer 5/5
Regex renaming ✓ ✓
Metadata-based renaming ✓ ✓
Rename preview ✓ ✓
Folder renaming ✓ ✓
Undo changes ✓ ✓
Specs
Platform coverage Macos_only Multi_platform
Our review
Pros
  • Multi-step rules support regex, metadata, sequencing, and case changes.
  • Preview, reversal, history, and duplicate detection support safer batch renaming.
  • Presets, scripts, droplets, Dropbox, and Box extend repeatable workflows.
  • Free and open-source on Windows, macOS, and Linux
  • Previews conflicts before batch renaming and supports undo
  • Combines regex, metadata tokens, recursive handling, and CLI mode
Cons
  • Available only for macOS.
  • There is no free plan.
  • Cloud integrations are limited to Dropbox and Box.
  • Marked as alpha software in its package metadata
  • Advanced pattern and metadata rules may require technical familiarity
  • No paid tier or broader service ecosystem for managed support
Our verdict

Name Mangler is a macOS desktop application for batch-renaming files and folders. It suits Mac users managing anything from a few files to tens of thousands, especially when renaming needs to follow repeatable rules rather than a single…

Read the review →

PBRenamer is a free, open-source desktop application for batch-renaming files and directories across Windows, macOS, and Linux. It is aimed at power users who need more control than simple find-and-replace tools provide, including…

Read the review →
  1. Name ManglerFile Renaming Software 8.4Paid
  2. PBRenamerFile Renaming Software 7.9Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Name Mangler — where it wins

    • Multi-step rules support regex, metadata, sequencing, and case changes.
    • Preview, reversal, history, and duplicate detection support safer batch renaming.
    • Presets, scripts, droplets, Dropbox, and Box extend repeatable workflows.

    Where it doesn't

    • Available only for macOS.
    • There is no free plan.
    • Cloud integrations are limited to Dropbox and Box.
  • PBRenamer — where it wins

    • Free and open-source on Windows, macOS, and Linux
    • Previews conflicts before batch renaming and supports undo
    • Combines regex, metadata tokens, recursive handling, and CLI mode

    Where it doesn't

    • Marked as alpha software in its package metadata
    • Advanced pattern and metadata rules may require technical familiarity
    • No paid tier or broader service ecosystem for managed support

More comparisons

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update