Advanced Renamer vs NameChanger (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 NameChanger if

• Fits if you rename photos or files on a Mac and want a free preview-first tool
• Works for quick one-rule jobs, like adding a prefix to 50 files

Look elsewhere if

• Skip it if you want to chain several rules in one pass, as it applies one at a time
• Not for you if you use Windows or Linux, since it is Mac only
• Watch out: the page carries a 2018 copyright line, so how often it is updated isn't clear
• Too light for you if names should come from photo or music tags in bulk

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.

NameChanger

• Mac only; it needs OS X 10.13 or later, with older builds offered for earlier systems.
• Renames files by one rule at a time rather than by chained methods.
• The vendor page carries a 2018 copyright line, so its update cadence is not clear from the page.

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.

NameChanger

Live preview of new names

An Original Filename column and a Renamed Filename column update as you type, so every change is visible before you press Rename.

Eleven rename types

Replace first, last or all occurrences, wildcard, append, prepend, date, sequence, character removal, regular expression and case change.

Checkbox control per file

Load a folder of files once and rename only the checked rows, without adding and removing files between runs.

Rename history

The app keeps a history of the renames it has performed, and reports any files it could not change.

Finder service and drag and drop

Right-click files in Finder and choose Rename with NameChanger, or drop files or folders onto the app.

Image browser and EXIF dates

Reorder and name pictures visually, and use EXIF dates, including subseconds when available, in names.

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.

NameChanger

• Free$0

  The full app is free. The download page asks for an optional donation of $5 to $40 to fund future development.