Best Terminal File Managers in 2026
Updated
In short: Clifm is ranked #1 of 28 as of 4 October 2026, ahead of nnn and TUIFIManager. The best-ranked option with a free plan is Rat Commander.
Terminal file managers let you browse directories and handle files without leaving a shell. Compare archive support, dual-pane layout, preview panes, and remote file access, then check Linux, macOS, and Windows support for the systems you use. Free-plan availability and paid-from pricing are additional points to weigh. The ranking starts with Rat Commander and Newt, with nnn and FileManagerTUI among the entries that follow; RTFM and Yazi are also near the beginning. Use the order as a guide to browsing the options, and consider which listed capabilities match the way you work with local or remote files.
28 terminal file managers ranked on what their makers publish — plans and prices, free tiers, platforms and the facts on their own pages.
Recognised 40% · Phone app 26% · Documented 20% · Free plan 14% of the score
- 1 Clifm Android only RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 7.0 Dual-pane layout: NoLinux support: YesmacOS support: Yes
- 2 nnn Android only RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 7.0 Dual-pane layout: NoLinux support: YesmacOS support: Yes
- 3 TUIFIManager Android only RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 6.8 Linux support: YesmacOS support: Yes
- 4 Rat Commander No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 6.4Free Dual-pane layout: YesLinux support: YesmacOS support: Yes
- 5 far2l No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 6.3Free Linux support: YesmacOS support: Yes
- 6 FileManagerTUI No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 6.3Free Dual-pane layout: YesLinux support: YesmacOS support: Yes
- 7 Newt No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 6.3Free Dual-pane layout: YesLinux support: YesmacOS support: Yes
- 8 pointer No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 6.3Free Dual-pane layout: YesLinux support: YesmacOS support: Yes
- 9 superfile No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 6.3Free Dual-pane layout: YesLinux support: YesmacOS support: Yes
- 10 Broot No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 6.2Free Dual-pane layout: YesLinux support: YesmacOS support: Yes
- 11 Runa No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 6.2Free Dual-pane layout: YesLinux support: YesmacOS support: Yes
- 12 Zeta No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 6.2Free Dual-pane layout: YesLinux support: YesmacOS support: Yes
- 13 elio No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.5 Dual-pane layout: NoLinux support: YesmacOS support: Yes
- 14 Middle Manager No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.4 Dual-pane layout: YesLinux support: YesmacOS support: Yes
- 15 Termix No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.4 Dual-pane layout: NoLinux support: YesmacOS support: Yes
- 16 xplr No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.4 Dual-pane layout: YesLinux support: YesmacOS support: Yes
- 17 Alfa No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.3
- 18 cfiles No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.3 Linux support: YesmacOS support: Yes
- 19 Far Manager No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.3 Dual-pane layout: Yes
- 20 Joshuto No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.3 Linux support: YesmacOS support: Yes
- 21 Midnight Commander No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.3 Dual-pane layout: Yes
- 22 ranger No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.3 Dual-pane layout: Yes
- 23 UnixTree No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.3 Dual-pane layout: NoLinux support: YesmacOS support: Yes
- 24 Vifm No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.3 Dual-pane layout: Yes
- 25 Yazi No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.3
Is your app on this list?
Numbered spots on this list can be sponsored. They are labelled, and the editorial order and scores never change for payment.
Questions about this list
Which terminal file manager is ranked first on Samsung Mobile US Press?
Clifm is ranked #1 of 28 with a score of 7.0. nnn is second and TUIFIManager third.
How many of these have a free plan?
9 of the 25 on this page publish a free plan on their own pricing pages.
How is this list ranked?
Ranked mobile-first: a phone app alongside the web or desktop product, a free tier and the depth of its documentation. Paid placements never change a rank.