Fences vs Files

Fences

• Windows users whose desktop is crowded with shortcuts and files
• Keeping game launchers, school work or project files in separate groups
• IT teams that want the same organized desktop on every company PC

Files

• Windows users who want tabs, dual pane and tags in a file manager
• Developers who want Git branches visible while browsing project folders
• People who prefer open-source software built in public

Fences

• Windows 10 and 11 only, including ARM devices; no Mac or Linux version is listed.
• A copy bought as a subscription stops working if the subscription is allowed to lapse.
• A permanent license covers Fences 6 and its 6.x updates but not later major versions, and the Steam edition is permanent-license only.
• The Single plan covers one device; running Fences on up to 5 PCs needs the Multi-Device plan or a 5-pack license.

Files

• Windows only; the Microsoft Store listing requires Windows 10 version 19041.0 or higher.
• The Microsoft Store version costs $12.99. The free version is installed with the classic installer or a PowerShell command.
• Remote connections cover FTP and FTPS only; the docs say SFTP is not currently supported.
• The FAQ acknowledges memory leaks that can make memory use build up over long sessions.

Fences

Fence groups

Desktop icons, files and folders sit in shaded areas whose size, color, transparency and sorting can be changed. A fence can be rolled up to keep its contents out of sight until needed.

Automatic sorting rules

Rules place new desktop items into fences by file type, name, time or target location, for example collecting every screenshot in one fence.

Folder Portals

Mirror any folder, including cloud and network folders, onto the desktop as a fence, so its contents can be reached without opening File Explorer.

Peek

Pressing the Windows key and Space brings your fences on top of all open windows for quick access to files, folders and applications.

Tabs, Icon Tint and Chameleon

Fences 6 stacks several fences together as tabs, applies a uniform color tint to desktop icons, and can fade icons into the background to reduce visual noise.

Business deployment

Fences 6 for Business adds tooling to deploy configurations from network drives, content locking, single-key activation and centralized activation management.

Files

Tabs and dual pane

Several folders open as tabs in a single window, and the dual-pane view shows and manages two folders side by side.

Layouts and column view

Folders can be shown in several layouts, including a column layout for moving through different levels of the file system.

File tags

Files and folders can be organized and sorted with colored tags.

Cloud drives in the sidebar

Detects installed cloud clients such as OneDrive, Google Drive, iCloud, Dropbox and Box and lists their drives in the sidebar. The provider's own client must be running.

Archives and FTP

Creates and extracts archives including zip and 7zip, and connects to FTP and FTPS servers from the address bar. SFTP is not supported.

Git integration and Command Palette

Creates and switches Git branches and syncs changes from within the app. The Command Palette gives keyboard access to commands and settings, and key bindings can be remapped.

Fences

• Single$9.99

  per year (US dollar price in the page's metadata)

  A 1 Year Subscription for one device, kept on the latest version. Read from India, the page showed ₹1,025.22 with ₹1,206.00 crossed out.

• Multi-Device₹2,411.00

  per year, as shown to a visitor in India

  A 1 Year Subscription with one key and 5 simultaneous activations. The US dollar price could not be read.

• Fences 6 on Steam$29.99

  one-time purchase (US Steam store)

  A permanent license for Fences 6 with a 1 PC activation limit. It gets 6.x updates but not later major versions. A Multi-Device Upgrade add-on is $19.99.

• Object Desktop₹4,820.82

  per year, as shown to a visitor in India

  Stardock's suite of more than a dozen apps including Fences, with up to 5 active installs. Shown with ₹6,026.00 crossed out.

• Fences 6 for BusinessCustom

  Priced in an order builder by number of licenses, with volume discounts, single or per-machine keys and a year of maintenance and premium support.

Files

• Classic installer$0

  The free version, in stable and preview branches. The project asks people who install it to consider supporting development on GitHub.

• Microsoft Store$12.99

  one-time purchase (US Microsoft Store price)

  The stable release bought and updated through the Microsoft Store. The download page calls this the best way to support development.

Fences

• Other savings

  Upgrade pricing for owners of earlier versions

  Owners of Fences 3, 4 or 5 can check their eligibility on the product page for a discounted upgrade to Fences 6. The amount is shown after the check.

Files

No public discounts listed.