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Head-to-head · Terminal File Managers

Yazi vs Vifm

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 3 checks side by side
Higher score Yazi #4 in Terminal File Managers 8.9/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 1 of 7 features Visit Yazi
Vifm #5 in Terminal File Managers 8.8/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 2 of 7 features Visit Vifm

Yazi leads on 0 checks, Vifm on 0, and 3 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 3 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreYazi · 8.9/10
  • Free planboth
  • Most featuresVifm · 2 of 7

Yazi scores higher on our rubric for terminal file managers: 8.9 against 8.8 out of 10; our editors rank them #4 and #5.

Yazi is the better fit for fast, extensible archive-focused navigation. Vifm is the better fit for vim users wanting a full dual-pane manager.

  • Yazi fits best

    Fast, extensible archive-focused navigation

  • Vifm fits best

    Vim users wanting a full dual-pane manager

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Side by side

Feature Yazi 8.9/10 Visit ↗ Vifm 8.8/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.9 8.8
Ranking #4 in Terminal File Managers #5 in Terminal File Managers
Best for Fast, extensible archive-focused navigation 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 Linux, Windows, macOS Linux, Windows, macOS
Support Community, Docs Email, Community, Docs
Integrations 9 integrations 4 integrations
Built for Solo, Small business Solo, Small business
Features Yazi 1/7 · Vifm 2/7
Dual-pane layout Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Linux support Not checked yet Not checked yet
macOS support Not checked yet Not checked yet
Windows support Not checked yet Not checked yet
Preview pane Not checked yet Not checked yet
Remote file access Not checked yet Not checked yet
Archive support ✓ ✓
Our review
Pros
  • Asynchronous operations include progress reporting and cancellation.
  • Archives, rich previews, tabs, search, and bulk renaming are built in.
  • Runs across Linux, macOS, and Windows with plugins and Git integration.
  • 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
  • The terminal-first design will not suit users seeking a graphical file manager.
  • The project is in public beta and may introduce breaking changes.
  • Its broader workflows depend on command-line tools and plugin configuration.
  • 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

Yazi is an open-source, terminal-based file manager written in Rust for users who manage files primarily from the command line. It runs on Linux, macOS, and Windows, and combines core navigation with asynchronous file operations, task…

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 →
  1. YaziTerminal File Managers 8.9Free plan
  2. VifmTerminal File Managers 8.8Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Yazi — where it wins

    • Asynchronous operations include progress reporting and cancellation.
    • Archives, rich previews, tabs, search, and bulk renaming are built in.
    • Runs across Linux, macOS, and Windows with plugins and Git integration.

    Where it doesn't

    • The terminal-first design will not suit users seeking a graphical file manager.
    • The project is in public beta and may introduce breaking changes.
    • Its broader workflows depend on command-line tools and plugin configuration.

  • 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

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