Ghost Commander

Ghost Commander is a free, two-panel file manager for Android. Each panel can display files from a different location, and the app supports copying, moving, deleting, renaming, and creating files and folders. It can browse classic deflate ZIP archives, extract files, and create or change ZIP archives, but encrypted ZIP files and other compression algorithms are unsupported.

For network access, Ghost Commander supports FTP and SMB, with an SFTP plugin available. Plugins are listed for Dropbox, Google Drive, and Box; transfers between cloud locations download to the device and upload from there. On rooted devices, root mode can change file permissions and ownership, run shell commands, and remount partitions. Search works only on the native file system, not in root mode, SAF mode, or network locations.

The maker says saved credentials are encrypted but does not guarantee hack-proof confidentiality. FTP credentials are sent unencrypted, and FTPS is unsupported. Ghost Commander is licensed under GNU GPL version 3, with release APKs and source code linked through SourceForge; F-Droid also distributes it.

Ghost Commander combines dual-panel file operations with network and plugin-based cloud access on Android. Its archive, search, and FTP security limitations are worth considering before relying on it for those tasks.

Ghost Commander suits Android users who want a two-panel file manager for local files, network shares, and plugin-based cloud access. Root mode may suit users of rooted devices who need its listed system operations.

Ghost Commander is a free, two-panel file manager for Android, built for moving and organizing files across locations. It suits people who want local file operations alongside network shares and plugin-based cloud access; ZIP encryption limits and insecure FTP make it a poor fit for sensitive transfers or broader archive needs.

Overview

Each panel can display a different location, making side-by-side copying and moving the app’s central advantage. It also handles deletion, renaming, and creating files and folders, with batch rename for groups of items. That layout is useful when juggling device storage, a share, or a cloud location, but it does not remove the friction of transfers between cloud services: those files pass through the device.

Ghost Commander is licensed under GNU GPL version 3. The maker says it does not collect, transfer, or sell personal information and does not store or share location. Saved credentials are encrypted, though the maker does not promise they are impossible to compromise.

Key features

File work and archives

The two-pane layout makes routine transfers more direct than switching repeatedly between folders. ZIP support covers browsing classic deflate archives, extracting files, and creating or modifying ZIPs. It does not handle encrypted ZIP files or other compression algorithms, so users with protected archives or less common formats should choose another tool for that work.

Network and cloud access

FTP and SMB support bring network shares into the file-management workflow, while plugins provide SFTP and access to Dropbox, Google Drive, and Box. The cloud workflow has a practical constraint: copying between cloud locations downloads the file to the Android device and uploads it again. FTP is the more serious caveat: its credentials are sent unencrypted, and FTPS is unsupported. The maker points users toward the SFTP plugin instead.

Root tools and search

On rooted devices, root mode can change file permissions and ownership, run shell commands, and remount partitions. Those are consequential controls for advanced users, not a reason for most people to root a device. Search is narrower: it works only on the native file system, not in root mode, SAF mode, or network locations. Anyone who needs to locate files across shares or protected areas will need a different search workflow.

Pricing

Ghost Commander is free, with a free plan and no free trial. There is no paid tier described; the app is distributed under GPL version 3, with release APKs and source code linked through SourceForge and distribution through F-Droid. That makes it an easy option to try without a subscription or license purchase, but it does not change the limitations around encrypted archives, search scope, or FTP security.

Platforms

Ghost Commander is for Android. Its two-panel design and file operations are aimed at managing files on an Android device, rather than providing a desktop file-management application.

Who it's for

Choose it if you want a free Android manager for moving files between local storage, network shares, and supported cloud services, especially if the dual-pane view matches how you work. It is less suitable if you regularly handle encrypted or non-deflate archives, need search across network or SAF locations, or must use FTP without exposing credentials in transit. For cloud-to-cloud transfers, account for the device acting as an intermediate stop.

Pros and cons

Pros

• Two locations at once: Dual panes make copying and moving between folders more direct.
• Broad transfer options: FTP, SMB, and plugins for SFTP, Dropbox, Google Drive, and Box connect local file work with shares and cloud accounts.
• Useful ZIP operations: The app can browse, extract, create, and modify supported ZIP archives.
• Advanced root controls: Root mode exposes permission, ownership, shell, and partition operations for users who need them.
• Free and GPL-licensed: There is no purchase price, and the maker links to source code as well as release builds.

Cons

• FTP is not secure for credentials: Credentials are sent unencrypted, and FTPS is unsupported; SFTP requires a plugin.
• Archive compatibility is limited: Encrypted ZIPs and compression algorithms beyond classic deflate are unsupported.
• Search excludes important locations: It cannot search in root mode, SAF mode, or network locations.
• Cloud-to-cloud copies take a detour: Data downloads to the device before being uploaded to the other cloud location.

Alternatives

For Android file management, compare Ghost Commander with other options in File Manager Software. Among the linked alternatives, QTerminal is a free option for Linux and macOS, while Ghost Commander is the Android choice. GNOME Remote Desktop is free for Linux and self-hosted use, so choose it for remote-desktop access rather than Android file operations.

The remaining alternatives serve different categories or platforms: ApolloOne, FastStone Image Viewer, ImageGlass, and Geeqie are image viewers; XnConvert is another linked option.

Verdict

Ghost Commander is a strong fit for Android users who want free, side-by-side file operations plus access to network shares and cloud plugins. Its focused transfer workflow and root tools are real advantages, but the search gaps, ZIP restrictions, and unencrypted FTP credentials matter. Choose it for everyday Android file organization and use SFTP rather than FTP for credentialed network transfers; look elsewhere if archive breadth or searching across locations is essential.