Explorer++ vs XYplorer (2026): which should you pick?
As of Nov 13, 2026, Explorer++ grades higher than XYplorer: 3.0 against 2.4 out of 4.0.
Checked Nov 12, 2026 and Nov 13, 2026 · graded Nov 12, 2026 and 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.
XYplorer
Portable tabbed file manager for Windows with scripting
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 XYplorer if
- Fits if you want a tabbed, scriptable replacement for File Explorer
- Works for people who carry a configured file manager on a USB drive
Look elsewhere if
- Skip it if you use Mac or Linux, as it is Windows only
- Watch out: the Standard licence includes upgrades for one year only, and Lifetime is $69.95
- Not for you if you want free, since the trial ends after 30 days
- Pricey if you buy for a team, as Mini Site is $995 for up to 50 users
How we grade them
| 3.0GPAExplorer++Very good | 2.4GPAXYplorerFair | |
|---|---|---|
| Value for money | AFree under GPL-3.0. Nothing to pay, under every price the category charges. | A$34.95 once, under a year of what this category's middle subscription costs. Upgrades last a year, and Lifetime is $69.95. |
| Free plan and trial | AFree with no cap, no trial and no paid tier. | CA 30-day trial, fully working with minor limits. No card is mentioned. After it you need a licence. |
| Features | BTabbed browsing, preview pane, file operations, search and filter, and a portable build. No gap shown in a file manager's job. | BTabs, dual pane, scripting, search, preview and a portable build. Nothing in the listing is missing from the job. |
| Ease of use | BNo rating on record. It looks like Explorer with tabs, with nothing to set up. | CNo rating on record. Scripting, custom columns and tab sets suggest a learning curve. |
| Platforms and integrations | DWindows only, in 32-bit, 64-bit and ARM64 builds. | DWindows only, with a 64-bit build and a 32-bit one still offered. No Mac, Linux or phone version. |
| Best for | a small tabbed file manager on Windows | a tabbed, scriptable 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 XYplorer. How we grade
Where they differ
- Explorer++ is open source, according to its own site.
- XYplorer can be bought with a one-time purchase.
At a glance
| Explorer++ | XYplorer | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Free | Free trial |
| Starts at | Free | $34.95 per user, one-time, with 1 year of free upgrades |
| Free plan | Free to download; the source is released under the GPL-3.0 license. | None |
| Free trial | None listed | 30-day free trial, fully functional with minor limitations |
| Windows | ||
| Made by | David Erceg | Cologne Code Company |
| Price read from | explorerplusplus.com | xyplorer.com |
| Checked | Nov 13, 2026 | Nov 12, 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.
XYplorer
- Windows only, and the current 64-bit release is 64-bit only; a 32-bit version is still offered.
- The Standard License includes upgrades for one year only; Lifetime is the one with upgrades forever.
- After the 30-day trial a license is required to keep using it.
- Prices are also shown in euros on the page; the dollar figures are the ones recorded here.
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.
XYplorer
- Tabs and dual pane
- Tabs can be dragged, locked and named, remember their settings across sessions and come in saved tab sets, with an optional second pane.
- Portable
- Needs no installation, leaves the registry alone and can run from an external drive.
- Scripting
- Scripts run out of the box without plugins, and many are shared on the user forum.
- File search and preview
- Includes a file search, a live filter box and a preview with image hover.
- Customizable interface
- Offers a custom toolbar, custom columns, colored tree sections and a breadcrumb bar.
- Small footprint
- The vendor says it uses little RAM, with a 64-bit executable of about 37 MB.
Plans
Explorer++
Free$0
Free to download and use; the site accepts donations.
XYplorer
Standard License Professional$34.95
per user, one-time, with 1 year of free upgrades
Never expires and covers all of the user's computers. Volume discounts apply automatically.
Lifetime License Professional$69.95
per user, one-time, with free upgrades forever
Same as Standard, with upgrades included permanently.
Mini Site Professional$995.00
one-time for up to 50 users, with free upgrades forever
Lifetime site license for companies with up to 50 users; the page suggests a site license from 18 users.
Mini Site Enterprise$3,995.00
one-time for up to 50 users, with free upgrades forever
Adds Enterprise features; a Large Site License covers up to 150 users.
Ways to pay less
Explorer++
No public discounts listed.
XYplorer
- Other savings
25% off upgrade licenses
Owners of a Standard License whose free upgrade year is over can buy a new Standard or Lifetime License at 25% off, $26.20 and $52.45.
Common questions
Which is cheaper, Explorer++ or XYplorer?
As of Nov 13, 2026, Explorer++ is free, and XYplorer starts at $34.95 per user, one-time, with 1 year of free upgrades.
Which has a free plan, Explorer++ or XYplorer?
As of Nov 13, 2026, only Explorer++ has a free plan. XYplorer does not, though it has a free trial.
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.