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Head-to-head · File Manager Software

Total Commander vs Thunar

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 7 checks side by side
Higher score Total Commander #1 in File Manager Software 9.3/10 Free plan · 30-day trial Free planFree trial✓ 6 of 6 features Try Total Commander
Thunar #8 in File Manager Software 8.4/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 3 of 6 features Visit Thunar

Total Commander leads on 0 checks, Thunar on 0, and 7 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 7 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreTotal Commander · 9.3/10
  • Free planboth
  • Free trialonly Total Commander
  • Most featuresTotal Commander · 6 of 6

Total Commander scores higher on our rubric for file manager software: 9.3 against 8.4 out of 10; our editors rank them #1 and #8.

Total Commander is the better fit for windows users wanting a complete file manager. Thunar is the better fit for linux users wanting a simple free manager.

  • Total Commander fits best

    Windows users wanting a complete file manager

  • 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 Total Commander 9.3/10 Visit ↗ Thunar 8.4/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.3 8.4
Ranking #1 in File Manager Software #8 in File Manager Software
Best for Windows users wanting a complete file manager Linux users wanting a simple free manager
Pricing model Free plan + paid Free
Starting price — Free plan
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial 30 days —
Deployment Desktop, Mobile Desktop
Platforms Windows, Android Linux
Support Email, Community, Docs Docs
Integrations 11 integrations 8 integrations
Built for Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Total Commander 6/6 · Thunar 3/6
Dual-pane view ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Tabbed interface ✓ ✓
Batch rename ✓ ✓
Archive support ✓ ✓
Cloud storage access ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Portable version ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Specs
Supported platforms windows, android linux
Our review
Pros
  • Dual-pane browsing with tabs, search, comparison, and synchronization
  • Archives, batch renaming, FTP/FTPS, and cloud access via plugins
  • Portable USB installation can include plugins and settings
  • 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
  • Cloud and protocol access may require plugins
  • Windows license is a one-time purchase rather than free software
  • The feature set may exceed the needs of users wanting simple file browsing
  • 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

Total Commander is a file manager for Windows and Android aimed at users who need more control over browsing, organizing, transferring, and comparing files. Its Windows edition combines two file windows, tabs, enhanced search, batch…

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. Total CommanderFile Manager Software 9.3Free plan · 30-day trial
  2. ThunarFile Manager Software 8.4Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Total Commander — where it wins

    • Dual-pane browsing with tabs, search, comparison, and synchronization
    • Archives, batch renaming, FTP/FTPS, and cloud access via plugins
    • Portable USB installation can include plugins and settings

    Where it doesn't

    • Cloud and protocol access may require plugins
    • Windows license is a one-time purchase rather than free software
    • The feature set may exceed the needs of users wanting simple file browsing

  • 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

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