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Head-to-head · Terminal File Managers

Rat Commander vs RTFM

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 8 checks side by side
Higher score Rat Commander #2 in Terminal File Managers 9.2/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 7 of 7 features Visit Rat Commander
RTFM #7 in Terminal File Managers 8.6/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 6 of 7 features Visit RTFM

Rat Commander leads on 0 checks, RTFM on 0, and 8 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 8 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreRat Commander · 9.2/10
  • Free planboth
  • Most featuresRat Commander · 7 of 7

Rat Commander scores higher on our rubric for terminal file managers: 9.2 against 8.6 out of 10; our editors rank them #2 and #7.

Rat Commander is the better fit for power users needing deep file operations. RTFM is the better fit for terminal users who want optional AI assistance.

  • Rat Commander fits best

    Power users needing deep file operations

  • RTFM fits best

    Terminal users who want optional AI assistance

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Side by side

Feature Rat Commander 9.2/10 Visit ↗ RTFM 8.6/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.2 8.6
Ranking #2 in Terminal File Managers #7 in Terminal File Managers
Best for Power users needing deep file operations Terminal users who want optional AI assistance
Pricing model Free Free
Starting price Free plan Free plan
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Deployment Desktop Self-hosted
Platforms Windows, macOS, Linux Linux, macOS
Support Docs Docs, Community
Built for Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Solo, Small business
Features Rat Commander 7/7 · RTFM 6/7
Dual-pane layout ✓ ✓
Linux support ✓ ✓
macOS support ✓ ✓
Windows support ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Preview pane ✓ ✓
Remote file access ✓ ✓
Archive support ✓ ✓
Our review
Pros
  • Dual-pane workflows with vertical or horizontal splits
  • Remote filesystems, archives, Git, synchronization, and comparisons
  • Free, open-source packages for Linux, macOS, and Windows
  • Dual panes, tabs, previews, archives, and inline image display
  • SSH/SFTP browsing, transfers, undo, trash, and bulk operations
  • Open-source with plugins, file picker mode, and optional OpenAI analysis
Cons
  • Terminal-based workflows may not suit users who prefer graphical file managers
  • Linux disk management features are not listed for macOS or Windows
  • Its broad toolset may exceed the needs of users seeking basic file browsing
  • Designed for terminal use rather than a graphical file-management workflow
  • Documented installation coverage centers on Linux and macOS
  • OpenAI analysis depends on the optional OpenAI API integration
Our verdict

Rat Commander is a terminal-based file manager for Linux, macOS, and Windows. It is designed for users who prefer keyboard-driven navigation and want file operations, viewing, editing, archives, remote filesystems, Git, and disk utilities…

Read the review →

RTFM is an open-source terminal file manager written in pure Ruby. It is aimed at terminal users and power users who want local and remote file operations inside a terminal emulator. The layout combines two panes with tabs, while previews…

Read the review →
  1. Rat CommanderTerminal File Managers 9.2Free plan
  2. RTFMTerminal File Managers 8.6Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Rat Commander — where it wins

    • Dual-pane workflows with vertical or horizontal splits
    • Remote filesystems, archives, Git, synchronization, and comparisons
    • Free, open-source packages for Linux, macOS, and Windows

    Where it doesn't

    • Terminal-based workflows may not suit users who prefer graphical file managers
    • Linux disk management features are not listed for macOS or Windows
    • Its broad toolset may exceed the needs of users seeking basic file browsing

  • RTFM — where it wins

    • Dual panes, tabs, previews, archives, and inline image display
    • SSH/SFTP browsing, transfers, undo, trash, and bulk operations
    • Open-source with plugins, file picker mode, and optional OpenAI analysis

    Where it doesn't

    • Designed for terminal use rather than a graphical file-management workflow
    • Documented installation coverage centers on Linux and macOS
    • OpenAI analysis depends on the optional OpenAI API integration

More comparisons

All terminal file managers comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update