Filera

Overview

Filera is a desktop app for applying a sequence of filename changes to batches of files. It suits people who want a visual way to handle routine renaming across folders, without scripting or regex.

Its preview and flexible output modes make batch work more controlled, but the absence of undo leaves mistakes harder to recover from. It is a strong fit for file cleanup, not for workflows that require renaming folders or regex-based rules.

Key features

Build a rename workflow

Filera combines operations in a visual pipeline, including find and replace, number sequences, dates, custom text and case conversion. That suits repeatable cleanup jobs where several common changes need to be applied in order. The no-regex approach keeps the workflow accessible, but rules that depend on regular expressions call for another tool.

Preview and filter the batch

A side-by-side view shows the current and proposed filenames, and files stay unchanged until the user applies the operation. This gives users a chance to catch a bad pattern before it affects the files. It is not a recovery mechanism, however: Filera has no undo.

Filters can target files by name, type, date range or size, and files excluded by the filters are skipped. Filera can also traverse subfolders in a directory tree, which is useful when a batch spans nested folders rather than one directory.

Choose where renamed files go

Users can rename files in place, copy the renamed versions to another directory or move them. Copying or moving can help keep a reorganization separate from the originals, while in-place renaming avoids creating a second set of files. Filera processes files, not folder names.

Metadata-based renaming is supported, extending its use beyond rules based only on the visible filename. The app is built with Tauri and Rust, and its homepage identifies it as MIT licensed.

Pricing

Filera is free: its Free plan costs nothing and is offered under the MIT License. There is no paid plan or free trial to weigh against it. The free option is suited to anyone wanting the app’s batch-renaming workflow without a subscription.

Platforms

Filera runs on Linux, macOS and Windows. Linux installation instructions cover .deb packages for Debian and Ubuntu, and .rpm packages for Fedora and RHEL. Windows users may see a Defender SmartScreen warning because the installer is not yet code-signed.

Users can also build Filera from source; the documented requirements include Rust, Node.js v18 or higher, and platform-specific Tauri dependencies. That route may suit people comfortable with a development toolchain, while most users can choose the installer for their platform.

Who it's for

Filera is best for people who regularly clean up batches of filenames and want to combine common transformations, filter the target files and review changes before applying them. Its recursive folder support is useful when those files are spread through nested directories.

It is a weaker choice for anyone who needs folder renaming, regex rules or a way to undo a committed batch. Users concerned by an unsigned Windows installer may also prefer another option.

Pros and cons

Pros

• Preview before applying: Side-by-side old and new names help catch mistakes before files change on disk.
• Flexible batch selection: Filters by name, type, date or size, plus subfolder traversal, help target the intended files across a directory tree.
• Multiple output modes: Rename in place, copy or move files, depending on whether originals should remain in their current location.
• Free and MIT licensed: The price and license make it a straightforward option for a no-cost desktop workflow.

Cons

• No undo: A mistaken applied rename has no in-app reversal option.
• No folder renaming or regex: Filera cannot handle folder names or regex-dependent workflows.
• Unsigned Windows installer: SmartScreen may warn users before installation.

Alternatives

File Renaming Software is the broader category directory for comparing tools.

• Renamer.ai is worth considering for a web or API option, or if a 25-renames-per-month free Starter plan and Magic Folders suit the job; its Pro plan is $9.95 a month.
• reNamerX is another free, MIT-licensed desktop batch-renaming tool for Linux, macOS and Windows.
• Bulk Renamer is a free, open-source alternative for Linux, macOS and Windows, with no account, trial or watermark.
• Nomina is another free option for Linux, macOS and Windows, with no paid plans or usage limits stated.
• PBRenamer is a free GPL-3.0 alternative for Linux, macOS and Windows.
• Advanced Renamer may suit Windows or macOS users who need batches of up to 10,000 files and five methods on its free plan; its Personal plan allows unlimited files and methods at custom pricing.
• Ant Renamer is a free Windows program with source code available.
• Bulk Rename Utility offers Windows plans for home, academic and commercial use, including multi-computer commercial pricing.

Verdict

Choose Filera for free, visual batch renaming across Linux, macOS or Windows, especially when filters, subfolder traversal and a pre-apply preview matter. Look elsewhere if you need folder renaming, regex, or undo after a batch has been applied.