Directory Opus vs Path Finder

Directory Opus

• Windows users who want a more configurable replacement for Explorer
• People who organize large file collections with tags, labels and ratings
• Users who customize and script their tools heavily

Path Finder

• Mac users who find Finder limiting and want two panes
• People who copy and move many files between folders or drives
• Buyers who want to choose between a subscription and a non-renewing license key

Directory Opus

• Windows only: it is supported on x64 versions of Windows 7, 8, 10 and 11, and ARM is not currently supported.
• Prices are in Australian dollars. Updates are free for one year; after that they need a renewal from $25 AUD a year, though the installed version keeps working.
• Advanced FTP and USB Export are optional add-ons, and the default 30-day evaluation does not enable Advanced FTP.
• The vendor's licensing FAQ says there are no refunds after purchase and suggests evaluating for up to 60 days first.

Path Finder

• macOS only; the site describes no Windows, Linux or mobile version.
• There is no perpetual license: subscriptions renew monthly or yearly, and license keys run for a fixed 1, 2 or 5 years, after which updates end.
• The homepage says older builds can still be run after a plan expires, while the terms of service grant use only for the term of the subscription or license.
• Subscriptions include 2 activations and more can be bought. A license key covers 3 computers and cannot have activations added.

Directory Opus

Explorer replacement with dual panes

An Explorer Replacement mode takes over from Windows Explorer, with single or dual file displays, folder trees and tabs for keeping several folders open.

Copy queue and batch rename

Queues multiple file copies and renames files in batches, including keyboard macros for building rename operations.

FTP and archive support

Works with FTP sites and archive formats such as Zip, 7Zip and RAR. Advanced FTP is an optional add-on to the licence.

Search, duplicates and synchronize

Built-in tools find files, locate duplicates and synchronize folders, and searches can use indexed engines such as Windows Search and Everything.

Labels, tags and metadata

Color-codes files and assigns status icons, star ratings, tags and descriptions, with an integrated viewer and a metadata editor.

Customization and scripting

Toolbars, menus, hotkeys, themes and more than 600 colors and fonts can be changed, and a scripting interface adds custom commands and dialogs.

Path Finder

Dual-pane browsing

A Dual Pane View shows two folders side by side, and files can be copied from one pane to the other with a single click.

Drop Stack

Freezes a drag-and-drop operation by placing the files in a temporary stack, to be copied or moved from there.

Batch rename and advanced selection

Renames files in batches and selects files by name, extension, attributes and more. Hidden files can be viewed and manipulated.

FolderSync

Includes FolderSync, Cocoatech's folder comparison and synchronization tool, for merging, comparing and synchronizing folders.

Size Browser

Browses selected files and folders by size, with Hierarchical Columns and Hierarchical Chart views that show how space is distributed.

Dropbox and iPhone browsing

Links a Dropbox account, and browses files on iOS devices connected by USB and performs file operations on them.

Directory Opus

• Single$89 AUD

  one-time purchase; later updates $25 AUD / year (optional)

  Install on one computer, plus a free personal laptop licence for home users. Includes one year of free updates and forum support.

• Dual$129 AUD

  one-time purchase; later updates $40 AUD / year (optional)

  Install on two computers at one location, plus the free personal laptop licence. Includes one year of free updates.

• Five$249 AUD

  one-time purchase; later updates $75 AUD / year (optional)

  Install on five computers at one location, plus the free personal laptop licence. Includes one year of free updates.

• GOLP volume licenceCustom

  Volume licences for businesses starting at 11 seats, with discounts that increase with quantity. Arranged by email with sales.

Path Finder

• Monthly Subscription$2.95

  per month, renews automatically

  Renews every month and can be canceled at any time. Includes 2 activations; the vendor suggests it for trying the app for a few months.

• Yearly Subscription$29.95

  per year, renews automatically

  The plan the vendor labels as recommended. Renews every year, can be canceled at any time, and includes 2 activations.

• 1 Year License Key$32.95

  one-time payment for a 1-year term

  A single payment that does not renew. The key is sent by email, covers 3 computers and includes updates released during the term.

• 2 Year License Key$55.95

  one-time payment for a 2-year term

  A license key for two years with no automatic renewal, labeled as saving over 15% compared with buying yearly.

• 5 Year License Key$122.95

  one-time payment for a 5-year term

  A license key for five years with no automatic renewal, labeled as saving over 25% compared with buying yearly.

Directory Opus

• Lifetime license

  Perpetual licence

  A licence lets you keep using the version you have forever. Only installing later releases depends on the annual upgrade subscription, which never renews automatically.

• Other savings

  Free personal laptop licence

  Standard licences bought for home use include one free personal laptop licence on top of the installs purchased. It does not apply to business licences.

• Other savings

  Discounts for multi-year renewals

  Upgrade subscriptions can be renewed up to three years ahead, and the vendor says discounts are offered for renewing for more than one year.

• Other savings

  Volume pricing from 11 seats

  The GP Software Open Licence Plan gives small businesses and corporations cascading discounts on 11 or more seats, arranged by email.

Path Finder

• Annual discount

  Yearly subscription costs less than monthly

  The Yearly Subscription is $29.95, against $35.40 for twelve payments of the $2.95 Monthly Subscription, a saving of about 15%.

• Other savings

  Multi-year license keys at a discount

  The 2 Year License Key ($55.95) is labeled as saving 15% and the 5 Year License Key ($122.95) as saving 25%, compared with buying a 1 Year License Key each year.

• Other savings

  Volume and site licenses on request

  The terms of service say businesses and organizations can ask about volume and site licenses, and that pricing for multiple licenses or extra activations varies with quantity.