Newt vs Vifm

Newt9.4Visit Vifm8.8Visit

Higher score Newt #1 in Terminal File Managers 9.4/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 7 of 7 features Visit Newt

vs

Vifm #5 in Terminal File Managers 8.8/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 2 of 7 features Visit Vifm

• Newt fits best

  Cross-platform remote and local file management

• Vifm fits best

  Vim users wanting a full dual-pane manager

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Side by side

Feature	Newt 9.4/10 Visit ↗	Vifm 8.8/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	9.4	8.8
Ranking	#1 in Terminal File Managers	#5 in Terminal File Managers
Best for	Cross-platform remote and local file management	Vim users wanting a full dual-pane manager
Pricing model	Free	Free
Starting price	Free plan	Free plan
Free plan	✓	✓
Free trial	—	—
Deployment	Desktop	Desktop
Platforms	macOS, Linux, Windows	Linux, Windows, macOS
Support	Docs	Email, Community, Docs
Integrations	7 integrations	4 integrations
Built for	Solo, Small business, Mid-market	Solo, Small business
Features Newt 7/7 · Vifm 2/7
Dual-pane layout	✓	✓
Linux support	✓ (best)	Not checked yet
macOS support	✓ (best)	Not checked yet
Windows support	✓ (best)	Not checked yet
Preview pane	✓ (best)	Not checked yet
Remote file access	✓ (best)	Not checked yet
Archive support	✓	✓
Our review
Pros	Dual panes support side-by-side file operations Works with SSH, S3, SFTP, containers, Kubernetes, and WSL Browses archives and supports recursive filename and content search	Dual panes, tabs, previews, archives, and directory comparison Vim-like mappings, commands, marks, registers, and scripting Free, open-source support for Linux, Windows, and macOS
Cons	Currently distributed as nightly development snapshots Keyboard-first workflows may not suit mouse-led file management Its broad remote support can mean more configuration across environments	Terminal-first interaction may not suit mouse-focused workflows Lua and shell customization can require technical setup No AI-assisted file management features
Our verdict	Newt is a keyboard-first, two-pane file manager for macOS, Linux, and Windows. It is aimed at people who want one interface for local filesystem work and remote locations, including SSH sessions, S3 and SFTP filesystems, containers,… Read the review →	Vifm is a curses-based, terminal file manager for technically oriented users who prefer Vim-style keyboard control. Developers, system administrators, and power users can navigate local or mounted filesystems through one- or two-pane views… Read the review →

Strengths and trade-offs

• Newt — where it wins

  • Dual panes support side-by-side file operations
  • Works with SSH, S3, SFTP, containers, Kubernetes, and WSL
  • Browses archives and supports recursive filename and content search

  Where it doesn't

  • Currently distributed as nightly development snapshots
  • Keyboard-first workflows may not suit mouse-led file management
  • Its broad remote support can mean more configuration across environments

• Vifm — where it wins

  • Dual panes, tabs, previews, archives, and directory comparison
  • Vim-like mappings, commands, marks, registers, and scripting
  • Free, open-source support for Linux, Windows, and macOS

  Where it doesn't

  • Terminal-first interaction may not suit mouse-focused workflows
  • Lua and shell customization can require technical setup
  • No AI-assisted file management features

• Newt9.4/10 · Free plan

  A free, open-source file manager for local work, remote sessions, archives, and search.

  Visit NewtFull verdict →
• Vifm8.8/10 · Free plan

  A free, open-source dual-pane manager for users who prefer Vim-style control.

  Visit VifmFull verdict →