Explorer++ vs One Commander (2026): which should you pick?
As of Nov 13, 2026, Explorer++ grades higher than One Commander: 3.0 against 2.6 out of 4.0.
Checked Nov 13, 2026 · graded Nov 13, 2026 by ToolGPA
Explorer++ grades higher on the free plan and ease of use. They get the same grade on value for money, features and platforms.
Price, platforms and features side by side. The table says where each price was read and when.
One Commander
Dual-pane Windows file manager with Miller columns, free for home use
Which one is for you
Pick Explorer++ if
- Fits if you want tabs in a Windows file manager without much else
- Works for people who carry tools on a USB stick
Look elsewhere if
- Skip it if you want frequent updates, as the home page shows version 1.4.0 and a 2023 copyright
- Not for you if you want plugins, since that system is only described as planned
- Watch out: it is Windows only
- Too light for dual-pane work, as it is a single-pane tabbed manager
Pick One Commander if
- Fits if you like browsing folders in columns on Windows
- Makes sense if you're a student or school user, since a school licence is $0
Look elsewhere if
- Not for you if you use it for work on the free plan, as any work, freelance or business use needs the paid Pro licence
- Tight if you want every setting free, because some settings and advanced features are locked
- Watch out: the Microsoft Store version is licensed separately through the Store
- Skip it if you use a Mac or Linux, as it is Windows 10 and 11 only
How we grade them
| 3.0GPAExplorer++Very good | 2.6GPAOne CommanderGood | |
|---|---|---|
| Value for money | AFree under GPL-3.0. Nothing to pay, under every price the category charges. | A$30 one-time per named user, under a year of the typical utility subscription. |
| Free plan and trial | AFree with no cap, no trial and no paid tier. | BFree Home Use covers personal use with no clock, but some settings and advanced features stay locked. |
| Features | BTabbed browsing, preview pane, file operations, search and filter, and a portable build. No gap shown in a file manager's job. | BMiller columns, preview, themes, File Automator, long paths and notes. The listing shows no gap in the core job. |
| Ease of use | BNo rating on record. It looks like Explorer with tabs, with nothing to set up. | CNo rating on record. The layout and automator take some learning. |
| Platforms and integrations | DWindows only, in 32-bit, 64-bit and ARM64 builds. | DWindows 10 and 11 only; the licences don't cover Mac or Linux. |
| Best for | a small tabbed file manager on Windows | a Miller-column file manager on Windows |
The GPA is the average of the five grades: an A is 4 points, an F is none. The full reasons are on each tool's page: Explorer++ and One Commander. How we grade
Where they differ
- Explorer++ is open source, according to its own site.
- One Commander can be bought with a one-time purchase.
At a glance
| Explorer++ | One Commander | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Free | Free plan |
| Starts at | Free | $30 one-time, per named user |
| Free plan | Free to download; the source is released under the GPL-3.0 license. | Free Home Use covers personal, non-commercial use; some settings and advanced features stay locked. |
| Free trial | None listed | None listed |
| Windows | ||
| Made by | David Erceg | Tangible Loop LLC |
| Price read from | explorerplusplus.com | onecommander.com |
| Checked | Nov 13, 2026 | Nov 13, 2026 |
Worth knowing
Explorer++
- Windows only, with 32-bit, 64-bit and ARM64 builds.
- The home page lists version 1.4.0 and a copyright of 2023, so releases are infrequent.
- A plugin system is described only as planned or in development on the site's blog.
One Commander
- Any work, freelance or business use needs the paid Pro license, even for standard features.
- Windows 10 and 11 only; the vendor says the licenses do not cover macOS or Linux.
- The Microsoft Store version is licensed separately, through the Store.
Key features
Explorer++
- Tabbed browsing
- Open several folders in tabs, and bookmark tabs.
- Portable
- No install is needed; settings can be saved to the registry or to a configuration file.
- Preview pane
- A display window shows a preview of a file as you select it.
- File operations
- Merge and split files, change dates and attributes, and save a directory listing.
- Search and filter
- Search by name and attributes, filter files, and switch between icon, list, detail, thumbnail and tile views.
One Commander
- Miller columns
- Column view for deep folder structures, alongside dual-pane and tabbed browsing.
- Built-in preview
- Press Space to preview many file types, with QuickLook and Seer also supported.
- Themes
- Dark and light themes that can be edited as XAML files.
- File Automator
- Regular-expression renaming and batch image conversion are built in.
- Long paths and notes
- Supports paths past 260 characters and lets you add tasks and notes inside any folder.
Plans
Explorer++
Free$0
Free to download and use; the site accepts donations.
One Commander
Free Home Use$0
Core app for personal, non-commercial use; some settings stay locked.
Lifetime User License$30
one-time, per named user
Pro features, commercial-use rights and future updates for one person's own PCs.
Company LicenseCustom
Volume licensing for 5 or more users with one shared key; sold through a quote.
School License$0
Free for school-owned computers on a shared school domain, issued on request.
Ways to pay less
Explorer++
No public discounts listed.
One Commander
- Education
Free license for school-owned computers
School-owned computers on a shared school domain can get a free license on request; personal student devices are not covered.
Common questions
Which is cheaper, Explorer++ or One Commander?
As of Nov 13, 2026, Explorer++ is free, and One Commander starts at $30 one-time, per named user.
Which has a free plan, Explorer++ or One Commander?
As of Nov 13, 2026, both Explorer++ and One Commander have a free plan.
More comparisons
How this page was made
- The verdict at the top follows a fixed rule. When both tools are in the same category and either is in our top three for it, the verdict follows that ranking: the higher-placed tool is our pick. The top three weigh who each tool suits as well as its grades, so a pick can go against the GPA. Otherwise the page does not pick one and says which grades higher: the higher GPA first; on a tie, the one with a free plan, then the one that starts cheaper in dollars a month, counted the same way for both; if they are still level, what the choice depends on.
- The grades are our own, from each tool’s review or report card. The GPA is their average.
- Prices, plans and platforms come from each tool’s listing. The table above says where each price was read and when.
- The differences and the answers to the questions are worked out from those listings.