The file manager (or file explorer) is the application that displays directories and files on a Linux system. Most people think of GUI applications when it comes to file managers, but there are also some command line utilities that can be used as file managers. Finding the right file manager for your needs is important, since they all come with different features and options.
In this tutorial, we have compiled a list of our favorite file managers for Linux. Check out our picks below to find one that suits you best.
In this tutorial you will learn:
- Best File manager for Linux
| Category | Requirements, Conventions or Software Version Used |
|---|---|
| System | Any Linux distro |
| Software | Dolphin, Thunar, Krusader, Konqueror, Ranger |
| Other | Privileged access to your Linux system as root or via the sudo command. |
| Conventions |
# – requires given linux commands to be executed with root privileges either directly as a root user or by use of sudo command$ – requires given linux commands to be executed as a regular non-privileged user |
Best File manager for Linux
Here are some of our top picks for file managers on Linux. Which file manager is right for you? Almost all of the below file managers are available in most distribution repositories. Give them a try. You might be surprised.
Dolphin
Often regarded as the best graphical file manager, Dolphin is the default file manager for the KDE Plasma desktop environment. It also integrates with the command line to allow you to run commands in any directory you browse to. It has multiple tabs or split pane views, and can be endlessly customized through the settings or by downloading custom plugins.
What we like about it:
- Tabs and split panes
- Sleek and responsive interface
- Highly customizable
Thunar
Thunar is the default file manager for the Xfce desktop environment. Just like Xfce, Thunar is lightweight and simple to use. It is very straightforward, so users of all levels will find it intuitive. It does, however, feature a powerful set of customization options. It also comes with a bulk renaming tool which we think a lot of users would find very handy.
What we like about it:
- Default file manager for Xfce
- Simple and intuitive to use
- Bulk renaming tool
Krusader
Krusader is the file manager for power users. The type of users that have a serious amount of files and do not mind rolling up their sleeves to get to know a complex file manager that can organize and find files exceptionally well. It allows you to enter terminal commands in a directory and has a dual pane view. It also supports FTP transfer a slew of other features.
What we like about it:
- Dual pane view
- Advanced search features
- Supports quick keyboard navigation
Konqueror
Konqueror doubles as both a file manager and a web browser. It is considered a swiss army knife for file management and previews. Konqueror also works as an FTP client and can preview a wide variety of file types. Its functionality can be further extended with free plugins, and even an adblocker.
What we like about it:
- Very simple to use
- Can browse local files or websites
- Extendable functionality with plugins
Ranger
Ranger is a free and open source file manager written in Python. It is designed to work from the command line and its keybindings are inspired by the Vim text editor. The application has a lot of features and, working together with other utilities, can display previews for a vast range of files. It can also preview PDF documents and show detailed information about torrent files.
What we like about it:
- Vim shortcuts built in make it fast to use
- Lightweight and Python based
- Displays previews for a lot of different file types
Closing Thoughts
In this tutorial, we learned about some top picks for file managers on a Linux system. These file managers can allow us to navigate our system to find the files and directories that we are looking for. Different file managers will suit users better or worse than others, since everyone has a different expectation for convenience and features when it comes to browsing their system’s files.
