Free alternatives to ForkLift

The 12 closest to ForkLift

1. 

   Files

   Open-source file manager for Windows with tabs and dual pane

   Free plan · from $12.99 one-time

   What is free: The app is free through the classic installer, a PowerShell command or the offline packages. The Microsoft Store version is the paid way to get it, sold to support the project.

   • Files starts at $12.99 one-time purchase (Microsoft Store, US price). ForkLift starts at $19.95 one-time (Single user license with 1 year of updates).
   • Files has a free plan. ForkLift does not, though it has a free trial.
   • Only Files lists a Windows app.
   • Only ForkLift lists a macOS app.
   Files vs ForkLiftFiles pricing and details
2. 

   Dropzone

   Drag-and-drop action grid and file shelf for the Mac menu bar

   Free plan · from $4.99/mo

   What is free: Free download with the action grid, Drop Bar and built-in actions for opening apps and moving or copying files. The vendor lists Amazon S3, SFTP, add-on actions, unlimited grids and more as Pro features.

   • Dropzone starts at $4.99 / month or $19.99 / year (Mac App Store), or $35 one-time direct. ForkLift starts at $19.95 one-time (Single user license with 1 year of updates).
   • Dropzone has a free plan. ForkLift does not, though it has a free trial.
   • Dropzone also covers file sharing and menu bar app.
   • ForkLift also covers file sync.
   Dropzone vs ForkLiftDropzone pricing and details
3. 

   TeraCopy

   File copy and move tool for Windows with checksum verification

   Free plan · from $34.95 one-time

   What is free: The free version does not expire and includes verification, checksum files, locked-file copying, Explorer integration and secure delete, with up to 2 copy threads. It is not licensed for commercial use.

   • TeraCopy starts at $34.95 one-time purchase (Pro license, personal use). ForkLift starts at $19.95 one-time (Single user license with 1 year of updates).
   • TeraCopy has a free plan. ForkLift does not, though it has a free trial.
   • Only TeraCopy lists a Windows app.
   • ForkLift also covers file sync.
   TeraCopy vs ForkLiftTeraCopy pricing and details
4. 

   LaunchBar

   Keyboard launcher for Mac with clipboard history and actions

   Free plan · from €35 one-time

   What is free: Beyond the 30-day trial, LaunchBar 6 can be used for free as long and as often as you like. Without registration it occasionally invites you to take a short break.

   • LaunchBar starts at 35 € one-time purchase (Single License). ForkLift starts at $19.95 one-time (Single user license with 1 year of updates).
   • LaunchBar has a free plan. ForkLift does not, though it has a free trial.
   • LaunchBar also covers launcher, clipboard manager and calculator.
   • ForkLift also covers file sync.
   LaunchBar pricing and details
5. 

   Listary

   File search and app launcher for Windows with Quick Switch

   Free plan · from $19.95 one-time

   What is free: Free forever for personal use: basic file search, app launching, filters, commands and the basic UI theme. Commercial use is not allowed on the free plan.

   • Listary starts at $19.95 one-time payment (Listary Pro). ForkLift starts at $19.95 one-time (Single user license with 1 year of updates).
   • Listary has a free plan. ForkLift does not, though it has a free trial.
   • Only Listary lists a Windows app.
   • Only ForkLift lists a macOS app.
   Listary pricing and details
6. 

   Alfred

   Mac launcher with hotkeys, snippets and custom workflows

   Free plan · from £34 one-time

   What is free: The core of Alfred is free to use forever, covering app, file and web search. Powerpack features such as workflows, clipboard history and snippets are not included.

   • Alfred starts at £34 one-time purchase (Powerpack Single License). ForkLift starts at $19.95 one-time (Single user license with 1 year of updates).
   • Alfred has a free plan. ForkLift does not, though it has a free trial.
   • Alfred also covers workflow automation, launcher, clipboard manager and text expansion.
   • ForkLift also covers file sync and file management.
   Alfred pricing and details
7. 

   Microsoft PowerToys

   Free Microsoft utilities for customizing Windows 10 and 11

   Free

   What is free: Everything. There is no paid plan.

   • Microsoft PowerToys is free. ForkLift starts at $19.95 one-time (Single user license with 1 year of updates).
   • Microsoft PowerToys has a free plan. ForkLift does not, though it has a free trial.
   • Only Microsoft PowerToys lists a Windows app.
   • Only ForkLift lists a macOS app.
   Microsoft PowerToys pricing and details
8. 

   Everything

   Instant file and folder name search for Windows

   Free

   What is free: Everything. There is no paid plan.

   • Everything is free. ForkLift starts at $19.95 one-time (Single user license with 1 year of updates).
   • Everything has a free plan. ForkLift does not, though it has a free trial.
   • Only Everything lists a Windows app.
   • Only ForkLift lists a macOS app.
   Everything pricing and details
9. 

   Flow Launcher

   Free, open-source app launcher and file search for Windows

   Free

   What is free: Everything. There is no paid plan.

   • Flow Launcher is free. ForkLift starts at $19.95 one-time (Single user license with 1 year of updates).
   • Flow Launcher has a free plan. ForkLift does not, though it has a free trial.
   • Only Flow Launcher lists a Windows app.
   • Only ForkLift lists a macOS app.
   Flow Launcher pricing and details
10. 

    AltTab

    Windows-style window switcher for macOS, free and open source

    Free plan · from $9.99 one-time

    What is free: AltTab (free): core window switching with thumbnails, preview, window controls, trackpad gestures and custom shortcuts, at no cost for personal or business use.

    • AltTab starts at $9.99 one-time purchase (AltTab Pro). ForkLift starts at $19.95 one-time (Single user license with 1 year of updates).
    • AltTab has a free plan. ForkLift does not, though it has a free trial.
    • AltTab is open source, according to its own site.
    • AltTab also covers window management.
    AltTab pricing and details
11. 

    BetterDisplay

    Display scaling, brightness and DDC control for Mac

    Free plan · from $21.99 one-time

    What is free: Non-business users keep the free features after the trial: DDC brightness, volume and input control, software dimming, the resolution slider and basic virtual screens. The terms say there are no purchase pop-ups or ads.

    • BetterDisplay starts at $21.99 one-time purchase (Pro license, tax may apply). ForkLift starts at $19.95 one-time (Single user license with 1 year of updates).
    • BetterDisplay has a free plan. ForkLift does not, though it has a free trial.
    • BetterDisplay also covers menu bar app and display control.
    • ForkLift also covers file sync and file management.
    BetterDisplay pricing and details
12. 

    Shottr

    Small Mac screenshot tool with annotation, OCR and a ruler

    Free plan · from $12 one-time

    What is free: Free to use for as long as you want, with most features available. After 30 days the app starts asking you to consider upgrading. Commercial use requires a license.

    • Shottr starts at $12 one-time purchase (Basic Tier). ForkLift starts at $19.95 one-time (Single user license with 1 year of updates).
    • Shottr has a free plan. ForkLift does not, though it has a free trial.
    • Shottr also covers screenshots.
    • ForkLift also covers file sync and file management.
    Shottr pricing and details

Common questions

This page is built from the listings. A tool is here because its listing says so, and the order is how close each is to ForkLift: the alternatives its listing names first, then the tools that share the most features with it.