Best Terminal File Managers in 2026
Updated
In short: FileManagerTUI is ranked #1 of 28 as of 8 October 2026, ahead of Newt and nnn. The best-ranked option with a free plan is Newt.
A terminal file manager gives you ways to navigate folders and handle files without leaving a command-line workflow. Compare archive support, dual-pane layout, preview pane, and remote file access, then check Linux, macOS, and Windows support for the systems you use. Free plan availability and paid-from pricing can help you weigh access and cost. FileManagerTUI, Newt, and Rat Commander are among the names to consider, alongside Broot and pointer. Which capabilities matter most may depend on whether you work with archives, need to view files before opening them, or move between local and remote locations.
28 terminal file managers ranked on what their makers publish — plans and prices, free tiers, platforms and the facts on their own pages.
16 of the 25 here have a free tier you can use, 2 have open-source code on record, and 2 have full bars: free, open, on most of your devices and documented.
| # | App | Signal | Free tier | Open code | Devices | From | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | FileManagerTUIWindows · Mac · Linux | Full bars | 3 of 6 | Free | 7.9 | ||
| 2 | NewtWindows · Mac · Linux | Full bars | 3 of 6 | Free | 7.9 | ||
| 3 | nnnWindows · Mac · Linux · Android | Three bars | — | 4 of 6 | Free | 6.6 | |
| 4 | Rat CommanderWindows · Mac · Linux | Three bars | — | 3 of 6 | Free | 6.6 | |
| 5 | BrootWindows · Mac · Linux | Three bars | — | 3 of 6 | Free | 6.5 | |
| 6 | ClifmMac · Linux · Android | Three bars | — | 3 of 6 | Free | 6.5 | |
| 7 | elioWindows · Mac · Linux · Self-hosted | Three bars | — | 3 of 6 | Free | 6.5 | |
| 8 | pointerMac · Linux | Two bars | — | 2 of 6 | Free | 6.5 | |
| 9 | RunaWindows · Mac · Linux | Three bars | — | 3 of 6 | Free | 6.5 | |
| 10 | superfileWindows · Mac · Linux | Three bars | — | 3 of 6 | Free | 6.5 | |
| 11 | ZetaWindows · Mac · Linux | Three bars | — | 3 of 6 | Free | 6.5 | |
| 12 | cfilesMac · Linux | Two bars | — | 2 of 6 | Free | 6.4 | |
| 13 | far2lMac · Linux | Two bars | — | 2 of 6 | Free | 6.4 | |
| 14 | Midnight CommanderMac · Linux · Self-hosted | Two bars | — | 2 of 6 | Free | 6.4 | |
| 15 | FModelWindows | Two bars | — | 1 of 6 | Free | 6.3 | |
| 16 | Deepfence SecretScannerLinux · Self-hosted | Two bars | — | 1 of 6 | Free | 6.2 | |
| 17 | TermixWindows · Mac · Linux | Two bars | — | — | 3 of 6 | — | 5.6 |
| 18 | xplrMac · Linux | One bar | — | — | 2 of 6 | — | 5.5 |
| 19 | TUIFIManagerWindows · Mac · Linux · Android | One bar | — | — | 4 of 6 | — | 5.4 |
| 20 | UnixTreeWindows · Mac · Linux | One bar | — | — | 3 of 6 | — | 5.4 |
| 21 | VifmWindows · Mac · Linux | One bar | — | — | 3 of 6 | — | 5.4 |
| 22 | YaziWindows · Mac · Linux | One bar | — | — | 3 of 6 | — | 5.4 |
| 23 | JoshutoMac · Linux | No signal | — | — | 2 of 6 | — | 5.3 |
| 24 | Middle ManagerMac · Linux | One bar | — | — | 2 of 6 | — | 5.3 |
| 25 | Far ManagerWindows | No signal | — | — | 1 of 6 | — | 5.2 |
Compare all 25 in a table
| # | App | Score | Free plan | From | Free plan | Paid from | Dual-pane layout | Linux support |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | FileManagerTUI | 7.9 | Free plan | Free | Yes | — | Yes | Yes |
| 2 | Newt | 7.9 | Free plan | Free | Yes | — | Yes | Yes |
| 3 | nnn | 6.6 | Free plan | Free | — | — | No | Yes |
| 4 | Rat Commander | 6.6 | Free plan | Free | Yes | — | Yes | Yes |
| 5 | Broot | 6.5 | Free plan | Free | Yes | — | Yes | Yes |
| 6 | Clifm | 6.5 | Free plan | Free | — | — | No | Yes |
| 7 | elio | 6.5 | Free plan | Free | — | — | No | Yes |
| 8 | pointer | 6.5 | Free plan | Free | Yes | — | Yes | Yes |
| 9 | Runa | 6.5 | Free plan | Free | Yes | — | Yes | Yes |
| 10 | superfile | 6.5 | Free plan | Free | Yes | — | Yes | Yes |
| 11 | Zeta | 6.5 | Free plan | Free | — | — | Yes | Yes |
| 12 | cfiles | 6.4 | Free plan | Free | Yes | — | — | Yes |
| 13 | far2l | 6.4 | Free plan | Free | Yes | — | — | Yes |
| 14 | Midnight Commander | 6.4 | Free plan | Free | Yes | — | Yes | — |
| 15 | FModel | 6.3 | Free plan | Free | Yes | — | — | — |
| 16 | Deepfence SecretScanner | 6.2 | Free plan | Free | — | — | — | — |
| 17 | Termix | 5.6 | No | — | — | — | No | Yes |
| 18 | xplr | 5.5 | No | — | Yes | — | Yes | Yes |
| 19 | TUIFIManager | 5.4 | No | — | — | — | — | Yes |
| 20 | UnixTree | 5.4 | No | — | — | — | No | Yes |
| 21 | Vifm | 5.4 | No | — | Yes | — | Yes | — |
| 22 | Yazi | 5.4 | No | — | Yes | — | — | — |
| 23 | Joshuto | 5.3 | No | — | Yes | — | — | Yes |
| 24 | Middle Manager | 5.3 | No | — | — | — | Yes | Yes |
| 25 | Far Manager | 5.2 | No | — | Yes | — | Yes | — |
Is your app on this list?
Numbered spots on this list can be sponsored, and a sponsored row is labelled as paid.
Questions about this list
Which terminal file manager is ranked first on Freedom251?
FileManagerTUI is ranked #1 of 28 with a score of 7.9. Newt is second and nnn third.
How many of these have a free plan?
16 of the 25 on this page publish a free plan on their own pricing pages.
How is this list ranked?
Ranked free-and-open first: a usable free tier and open-source code, then the platforms it runs on and its documentation.