Clifm

Mac · Linux · Android

Freedom report

Three barsScore 6.8

Free tierA free tier is on its own pricing page
Open codeNo open-source code on record
Runs widely3 of 6 device platforms
DocumentedPlans, terms and facts published

Clifm is ranked #22 of 99 in file manager software on Freedom251. It runs on Android, Linux, macOS. There is a free plan.

Clifm plans and pricing

All plans

Clifm Free GPL version 2 or later · no paid plans stated github.com · 5 Oct 2026

Compared on file manager software

Dual-pane layout: No
Linux support: Yes
macOS support: Yes
Windows support: No
Preview pane: Yes
Remote file access: Yes
Archive support: Yes

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The record

Product: Clifm is a shell-like, text-based terminal file manager that runs on the command line.
Interface: Clifm has no GUI or TUI and is designed for file management through commands.
File operations: Features include bookmarks, search, file selection, tags, filters, previews, bulk renaming, archiving, trash, and file opening.
Shell features: Clifm provides tab completion with fzf integration, command line expansions, autosuggestions, syntax highlighting, aliases, and command history.
Customization: Users can configure profiles, keyboard shortcuts, themes, prompts, custom commands, and plugins.
Integrations: The project documents fzf tab completion and a plugin that can display Git status before each prompt.
Privacy: The project says Clifm collects zero data and makes no connection to the outside world.
Security: The feature list describes a secure environment, secure commands, and a stealth mode.
Platforms: The project lists Linux, Termux on Android, BSD variants, macOS, Solaris/Illumos, Haiku, and Cygwin/MinGW as supported environments.
Installation: The README says Linux binary packages are available for most major distributions through the OpenSUSE Build System and gives source installation instructions for Linux and BSD.
License: The project is licensed under GPL version 2 or later.
Support: The project directs users to its FAQ, wiki documentation, issue tracker, and repository discussions for help and feedback.
Intended users: The README presents Clifm as a command line file manager for people who prefer shell commands to a traditional terminal file manager interface.
Price from: Free

Where it ranks on Freedom251

Best File Manager Software in 2026#22 of 99
Best Terminal File Managers in 2026#6 of 28

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Sources

github.com/leo-arch/clifm· checked 5 Oct 2026
github.com/leo-arch/clifm/wiki/Advanced· checked 5 Oct 2026