Freedom251 › File Manager Software
Ghost Commander
What Ghost Commander is
Ghost Commander is a free file manager for Android built around two panels, each of which can display a different location. It supports copying, moving, deleting, renaming, and creating files and folders, along with browsing, extracting, creating, and modifying classic deflate ZIP archives. Encrypted ZIP files and other compression algorithms are not supported. For network access, it supports FTP and SMB shares, with an SFTP plugin available. Plugins are also listed for Dropbox, Google Drive, and Box; moving files between cloud locations requires downloading them to the device and uploading them again. On rooted devices, root mode can change permissions and ownership, run shell commands, and remount partitions. File 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 complete confidentiality. FTP sends credentials unencrypted, and FTPS is unsupported. The app is licensed under GNU GPL version 3.
Who it suits
It suits Android users who want two-panel file management across local, network, and supported cloud locations. Root tools are available to users with rooted devices.
What it does well
- Free plan for Android.
- Two panels can show different locations.
- Supports FTP, SMB, and SFTP plugin access.
- Root mode offers permission and shell tools on rooted devices.
What to know first
- Encrypted ZIP files and other compression algorithms are unsupported.
- Search excludes root mode, SAF mode, and network locations.
- FTP credentials are sent unencrypted; FTPS is unsupported.
- Cloud-to-cloud copying passes through the device.
Limits
ZIP support is limited to classic deflate archives, and search does not cover root mode, SAF mode or network locations.
Getting started
- Open the Ghost Commander website
- Use an Android device
- Install a release APK from SourceForge or the app from F-Droid
- Open the two-panel file manager
- Add the plugins needed for SFTP, Dropbox, Google Drive or Box
Verdict
Ghost Commander combines dual-panel file operations with network access, archive tools, and plugins for several cloud services. Its search, archive, and FTP security limits are worth considering before choosing it.
Questions
How much does Ghost Commander cost?
Ghost Commander is free, with a free plan and no free trial.
Which devices support it?
The listed platform is Android.
Is Ghost Commander open source?
Yes. The maker states that it is licensed under GNU GPL version 3, with source code linked through SourceForge.
Which network protocols are supported?
It supports FTP and SMB, and an SFTP plugin is available. FTPS is unsupported.
Can it connect to cloud storage?
Plugins are listed for Dropbox, Google Drive and Box. Copies between cloud locations download to the device and upload from there.
Does it support root features?
On rooted devices, root mode can change file permissions and ownership, run shell commands and remount partitions.
Facts from Ghost Commander's own pages
- Archives
- It can browse and modify classic ZIP archives, but encrypted ZIP files and ZIP files using other compression algorithms are not supported. · sites.google.com, 30 Sept 2026
- Archive support
- Yes · sites.google.com, 24 Sept 2026
- Availability
- The maker links to SourceForge for release APKs and source code, and says F-Droid also distributes the app. · sites.google.com, 28 Sept 2026
- Batch rename
- Yes · sites.google.com, 24 Sept 2026
- Cloud integrations
- The maker lists Dropbox, Google Drive, and Box plugins; cloud file copies download to the device and upload from there. · sites.google.com, 30 Sept 2026
- Cloud storage access
- Yes · sites.google.com, 24 Sept 2026
- Credential security
- The maker says saved credentials are encrypted, while cautioning that hack-proof confidentiality is not guaranteed. · sites.google.com, 28 Sept 2026
- Credential storage
- The maker says saved credentials are encrypted but does not guarantee hack-proof confidentiality. · sites.google.com, 30 Sept 2026
- Dual-pane view
- Yes · sites.google.com, 24 Sept 2026
- File operations
- It supports copying, moving, deleting, renaming, and creating files and folders. · sites.google.com, 30 Sept 2026
- Free plan
- Yes · sites.google.com, 24 Sept 2026
- FTP security limitation
- The help page says FTP credentials are sent unencrypted and FTPS is unsupported; it points users to the SFTP plugin as an alternative. · sites.google.com, 28 Sept 2026
- Headquarters
- Kunitachi, Tokyo, Japan · sites.google.com, 28 Sept 2026
- License
- The maker states that Ghost Commander is distributed under the GNU General Public License version 3. · sites.google.com, 28 Sept 2026
- License and availability
- The application is licensed under GNU GPL version 3, and the maker links to SourceForge and F-Droid for distribution. · sites.google.com, 30 Sept 2026
- Network access
- It supports FTP and SMB network shares, and its help page says an SFTP plugin is available. · sites.google.com, 28 Sept 2026
- Network protocols
- It supports FTP, SMB, and SFTP; the maker says FTP credentials are sent unencrypted and FTPS is not supported. · sites.google.com, 30 Sept 2026
- Supported platforms
- android · sites.google.com, 24 Sept 2026
- Privacy
- The maker says the application does not collect, transfer, or sell personal information and does not show ads. · sites.google.com, 30 Sept 2026
- Product
- Ghost Commander is a two-panel file manager for Android, inspired by Norton Commander and Midnight Commander. · sites.google.com, 30 Sept 2026
- Purpose
- Ghost Commander is a two-panel file manager for Android, with each panel able to show files from a different location. · sites.google.com, 28 Sept 2026
- Root tools
- On rooted devices, root mode can change file permissions and ownership, execute shell commands, and remount partitions. · sites.google.com, 30 Sept 2026
- Search limitation
- File search works only on the native file system; root mode, Storage Access Framework mode, and network locations do not support it. · sites.google.com, 30 Sept 2026
- Support
- The FAQ directs users to a feature request forum and describes how to save a logcat file for troubleshooting. · sites.google.com, 30 Sept 2026
Where Ghost Commander stands on Freedom251
- File Manager Software#63 of 100