Advanced Renamer vs Bulk Rename Utility (2026): which should you pick?

Pick Advanced Renamer if

• Fits if you sort photo or music libraries using embedded dates and tags
• Works for one-off personal batches that fit inside 10,000 files

Look elsewhere if

• Not for you if the renaming is for work or school, since that needs the Commercial licence at $50 per user
• Tight if you chain more than 5 methods or go past 10,000 files on the free version
• Watch out: a licence covers 3.xx and 4.xx, and a later major version's price isn't stated
• Skip it if you use Linux, as only Windows and Mac are offered

Pick Bulk Rename Utility if

• Fits if you rename photos or files in bulk on a Windows PC at home
• Works for people who want to preview every change before it happens

Look elsewhere if

• Not for you if you use a Mac or Linux, as it is Windows only
• Pricey if you use it at work, at $92.95 per computer, one for each machine
• Watch out: yearly maintenance with updates and priority support is an add-on from $29.95
• Watch out: any business, company or government use needs a commercial licence on every computer

Advanced Renamer

• The free version caps each batch at 10,000 files and 5 renaming methods.
• Any work use, including schools and non-profits, needs the Commercial license.
• A license is valid for the 3.xx and 4.xx versions; the site does not say what a later major version would cost.
• The Mac version needs macOS 11 or later; the Windows version is 64-bit only.

Bulk Rename Utility

• Runs on Windows only, with no Mac or Linux version.
• Business and commercial use needs a paid license for each computer where it is installed.
• Yearly maintenance with updates and priority support is an add-on, starting at $29.95 for one item.
• The vendor's prices can be shown in other currencies at checkout; the figures here are the US dollar ones.

Advanced Renamer

Chained renaming methods

Combine 13 methods in one batch: add, remove, replace, change case, new name from tags, and set timestamps.

Live preview and undo

New names are previewed before anything is applied, and a completed batch can be undone as a whole.

Metadata-based names

Use EXIF and XMP photo data, MP3 and ID3 tags, video properties and GPS-derived city names in file names.

Rename, copy or move

Batches can rename in place or copy and move files into new locations based on information in the files.

Regex, wildcards and JavaScript

Pattern matching with regular expressions and wildcards, and names generated from JavaScript.

Command line batch runner

Saved renaming jobs can be run from the command line to automate recurring renames.

Bulk Rename Utility

Flexible renaming rules

Adds, replaces and inserts text, converts case, adds auto-numbers and removes or changes extensions.

Preview before renaming

Shows a detailed preview of the new names before any file is changed.

Photo and media metadata

Renames photos from EXIF data, MP3s from ID3 tags and other files from Windows file properties.

Folders and sub-folders

Processes whole folders and their sub-folders, not just a single list of files.

Timestamp changes

Changes files' creation and modification times.

JavaScript renaming

Scripted renaming is unlocked by a home/academic or commercial license.

Advanced Renamer

• Free$0

  For occasional personal use. Batches are capped at 10,000 files and 5 renaming methods.

• Personal$16

  one-time, VAT included

  For private use at home. No file or method limits per batch; valid for all 3.xx and 4.xx versions.

• Commercial$50

  one-time per user, VAT not included

  Required for any work use, including schools and non-profits. No batch limits, and priority support.

Bulk Rename Utility

• Home use$0

  Free for personal, private use at home; a business, company or commercial use needs a commercial license.

• Home / Academic license$24.95

  per user, one-time

  Unlocks all features, including JavaScript renaming, for home or school and university use. $22.95 each for 2 to 5 users and $19.95 each for 6 or more.

• Commercial license$92.95

  per computer, one-time

  Required for each computer in a business, company, government or commercial use. $63.95 each for 2 to 5 computers and $49.95 each for 6 or more.