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Double Commander is a free, open-source, cross-platform file manager built around two panels. Each panel can show a different folder, so you can keep a source and destination visible while copying, moving, comparing, or synchronizing files. It is a strong option for Ubuntu and Linux Mint users who want a keyboard-friendly, highly configurable workflow rather than a minimal single-pane browser.
What Double Commander does differently
The default layout places two directory panels side by side. Open the source folder in one panel and the destination in the other, select files, then copy or move them to the opposite panel. You can also target a folder in either panel or a directory represented by an open tab. The panels may be arranged horizontally when that fits your screen better.
This arrangement removes much of the repeated navigation required when using a single-pane manager. It is particularly useful for staged backups, moving downloads into organized folders, comparing project directories, and maintaining two copies of a data set.
Double Commander is released as free, open-source software under the GNU General Public License version 2. Its documented capabilities describe what the program provides; they do not establish comparative speed, reliability, or ease-of-use results against other file managers.
#1 Best Overall
- Read Before You Buy — No Video Output: These adapters support charging and USB 2.0 data transfer, but cannot transmit video signals. Except for standard USB webcams (which use USB data only), they are not compatible with HDMI/DisplayPort cables, video-capable USB-C hubs, or docking stations with video output.
- Convert USB-A Ports to USB-C: Designed to connect USB-C earphones, cables, flash drives, card readers, and other USB-C accessories to standard USB-A ports. Plug-and-play with no drivers or software required.
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- 12-Month Warranty: Backed by a 12-month manufacturer warranty for peace of mind. Designed to meet strict quality control standards for reliable everyday performance.
Core workflow: source, destination, and tabs
Copy or move between panels
Use one panel as the source and the other as the destination. Select one or more items, then invoke the copy or move command, use the corresponding keyboard shortcut, or drag the selection to the other panel. The destination can be the opposite panel, a visible subfolder, or a directory opened in a tab.
Keep multiple locations available
Tabs let each panel hold several locations without losing the current directory. This is useful when copying among a home folder, an external drive, and a project directory. The command line and keyboard shortcuts provide alternatives to mouse-only navigation.
Run operations in the background
Long-running file operations can run in the background, allowing you to continue browsing while a transfer proceeds. An operations log records activity so you can review what Double Commander attempted.
Rank #2
- 5-in-1 USB-C Hub: Experience comprehensive connectivity featuring a Power Delivery input, two USB-A 2.0 ports, a USB-A 3.0 port, and an HDMI port. (Note: The USB-C power delivery input port is only for connecting an external wall charger to power your laptop and cannot power peripheral devices.)
- 90W Pass-Through Charging: Achieve optimal charging with 90W pass-through power to your laptop, supported by a total input of 100W, with the hub reserving 10W for operational efficiency. (Note: Wall charger not included.)
- Quick Data Transfers: Accelerate your productivity with rapid data transfers using a high-speed 5Gbps USB 3.0 port and two 480Mbps USB 2.0 ports.
- 4K HDMI Display: Enhance your visual experience with a hub capable of delivering 4K resolution at 30Hz in both mirror and extend modes. Please note that this hub is compatible with MacBook (macOS 12 and newer), Windows 10 and 11, ChromeOS, and laptops equipped with DP Alt Mode and Power Delivery. Note: This device is not compatible with Linux.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (5-in-1, 4K HDMI), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
Features beyond two-pane copying
| Feature | Practical use | Qualification |
|---|---|---|
| Directory synchronization | Compare two folders and choose which differences to copy. | The project documents the capability; no performance or accuracy benchmark is established here. |
| Full-text search | Find files by their names and, where supported, by text content. | Search behavior can depend on file type and settings. |
| Multi-file rename | Apply a naming pattern to many files at once. | Preview selections carefully before committing a batch change. |
| Tabs | Keep several directories open in each panel. | Useful for multi-location workflows. |
| Viewer | Use F3 to inspect text, binary, or hexadecimal content without opening a separate application. | It is a viewer, not a replacement for specialized analysis tools. |
| Syntax-highlighting editor | Use F4 for quick edits to text or code files. | The documented editor should not be treated as a full development environment. |
| Plugins | Extend the manager with supported plugin formats. | Documentation lists several Total Commander formats and Double Commander’s DSX format; compatibility is not guaranteed for every plugin. |
Browsing archives as if they were folders
Double Commander can open supported archives for browsing and copying, so you can inspect contents without first extracting everything. The project lists ZIP, TAR, GZ, BZ2, XZ, LZMA, 7Z, RPM, CPIO, DEB, RAR, and ZIPX among its formats.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Actual handling can depend on installed plugins or external archivers. If a particular archive will not open, check the package’s available support and the external tools configured on your system rather than assuming every listed format works identically in every build.
Remote locations and network transfers
The project lists support for FTP, FTPS, FTPES, SSH+SCP, and SFTP. These protocol names indicate available connection types; they do not guarantee that every server, authentication method, or setup will work without configuration. Use the protocol required by your server and verify credentials and permissions before transferring important data.
Rank #3
- Sleek 7-in-1 USB-C Hub: Features an HDMI port, two USB-A 3.0 ports, and a USB-C data port, each providing 5Gbps transfer speeds. It also includes a USB-C PD input port for charging up to 100W and dual SD and TF card slots, all in a compact design.
- Flawless 4K@60Hz Video with HDMI: Delivers exceptional clarity and smoothness with its 4K@60Hz HDMI port, making it ideal for high-definition presentations and entertainment. (Note: Only the HDMI port supports video projection; the USB-C port is for data transfer only.)
- Double Up on Efficiency: The two USB-A 3.0 ports and a USB-C port support a fast 5Gbps data rate, significantly boosting your transfer speeds and improving productivity.
- Fast and Reliable 85W Charging: Offers high-capacity, speedy charging for laptops up to 85W, so you spend less time tethered to an outlet and more time being productive.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (7-in-1), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
Installing it on Ubuntu or Linux Mint
Start with your distribution’s package manager
- Open your distribution’s software manager or package-management tools.
- Search for
doublecmdand inspect the available GTK or Qt package providers. - Check the package version, architecture, and dependencies before installing.
- Launch Double Commander from the applications menu and confirm that both panels open normally.
Ubuntu 24.04 LTS (Noble) lists GTK2 and Qt5 providers for the virtual doublecmd package. That does not mean every Ubuntu or Mint release offers the same providers, package names, or versions.
When the repository version is too old
Double Commander’s help documentation says distribution repositories may not contain the latest release. If version currency matters, compare the version shown by your package manager with the project’s own distribution channels. The project documents repositories for several distributions, GitHub or SourceForge releases, portable compressed binaries, and AppImage packages.
Ubuntu Jammy’s manpage records doublecmd-common as version 1.0.5-1. That is a Jammy-specific package record, not a current-version claim for Ubuntu generally or for every Linux Mint edition. Check your own release’s package index before relying on it.
Rank #4
- Dual Converters, Infinite Potential：Includes 2× USB C male to USB A female adapters and 2× USB A male to USB C female adapters. Perfect for a wide range of uses—tablets with Bluetooth keyboards, expand USB ports on macbook, and more. Two different converters for all your daily needs
- Next-Level 10Gbps & 3A Charging: No more slow 480Mbps, this usb to usb c adapter has a transfer speed of up to 10Gbps, allowing you to do more transferring in less time. This usb adapter fits both USB A and USB C charger, supporting up to 3A fast charging
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- Please Note: To reach 10Gbps speed, keep the cable under 3.3 ft. For USB A Male to USB C adapters, try flipping the USB C connector. USB C Male to USB A adapters support bidirectional 10Gbps transfer within 3.3 ft
Choosing GTK or Qt
Linux packages may be offered in GTK-based and Qt-based variants. Choose a provider available for your release and desktop; the available evidence does not establish that one toolkit will always match a particular Ubuntu or Mint theme better.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Is Double Commander a good choice for Mint 22?
A Linux Mint community question asks for “a good two-panel graphical file manager for Mint 22.” That wording captures the need Double Commander is designed to address, but a community request is not an official compatibility certification or endorsement.
For Mint users, the practical decision is whether the twin-panel workflow justifies learning a more configurable interface. If you routinely compare directories, rename groups of files, browse archives, or transfer between local and remote locations, its documented feature set is relevant. If you mainly open folders and launch applications, Mint’s default file manager may require less setup and fewer new shortcuts.
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1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsBest Value
- 5-in-1 Connectivity: Equipped with a 4K HDMI port, a 5 Gbps USB-C data port, two 5 Gbps USB-A ports, and a USB C 100W PD-IN port. Note: The USB C 100W PD-IN port supports only charging and does not support data transfer devices such as headphones or speakers.
- Powerful Pass-Through Charging: Supports up to 85W pass-through charging so you can power up your laptop while you use the hub. Note: Pass-through charging requires a charger (not included). Note: To achieve full power for iPad, we recommend using a 45W wall charger.
- Transfer Files in Seconds: Move files to and from your laptop at speeds of up to 5 Gbps via the USB-C and USB-A data ports. Note: The USB C 5Gbps Data port does not support video output.
- HD Display: Connect to the HDMI port to stream or mirror content to an external monitor in resolutions of up to 4K@30Hz. Note: The USB-C ports do not support video output.
- What You Get: Anker 332 USB-C Hub (5-in-1), welcome guide, our worry-free 18-month warranty, and friendly customer service.
| Priority | What to consider |
|---|---|
| Simultaneous source and destination views | Double Commander’s two panels are designed for this workflow. |
| Advanced file operations | Synchronization, batch rename, search, tabs, logs, and background operations are documented features. |
| Desktop integration | Check which package provider and version your Mint or Ubuntu release supplies. |
| Simple, familiar defaults | A distribution’s standard single-pane manager may involve less configuration and relearning. |
No cited material directly benchmarks Double Commander against Nemo, Files, Dolphin, or another manager, so a universal “best” ranking would not be justified.
Important limitations and setup checks
- Version drift: repository packages can lag behind project releases, and package details vary by distribution release.
- Archive dependencies: some formats may require plugins or external archivers.
- Plugin compatibility: support for plugin formats does not guarantee that every third-party plugin works.
- Learning curve: tabs, commands, shortcuts, panels, and configurable controls offer depth but may feel busy to users accustomed to a minimal file manager.
- Documentation changes: the project’s help notes that some documentation can become incomplete or irrelevant as development continues; confirm version-sensitive details in the help shipped with your installation.
Bottom line
Choose Double Commander when the two-panel model is central to how you work with files. Its documented synchronization, search, batch rename, archive browsing, viewer/editor, plugin, tab, and remote-protocol features make it more than a simple copy utility. On Ubuntu or Linux Mint, install the package appropriate to your release, verify whether the repository version meets your needs, and treat GTK/Qt and archive support as release- and configuration-dependent details.
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