Files vs ForkLift

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

ForkLift

• Mac users who manage files on servers and cloud storage as well as local disks
• Web developers who want an SFTP and S3 client inside their file manager
• Keeping two folders, local or remote, in sync

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.

ForkLift

• macOS only. ForkLift 4.4 and later require macOS 14.6; earlier ForkLift 4 versions need macOS 12.4 or later.
• A license includes updates for 1 or 2 years. Later versions run in trial mode until a new license is bought, though covered versions keep working.
• The Single user license is for personal use; office use on up to 5 Macs needs the Small Business license, from $69.95.
• Dropbox Smart Sync is not supported; the vendor says no API is available for it.

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.

ForkLift

Two panes, tabs and workspaces

Shows two file panes side by side with tabs in each, and Workspaces save a layout of open tabs and locations to load again later.

Remote connections

Connects to SFTP, FTP, WebDAV, Amazon S3, Backblaze B2, Google Drive, OneDrive, Dropbox, SMB, AFP and NFS, with several servers open at once and drag and drop between them.

Folder sync

Compares a local or remote source and target folder to find matching, modified, new and deleted files, then synchronizes them one-way or two-way. A sync can be saved as a favorite.

Preview and remote editing

A preview panel plays audio and video and shows images and PDFs. Text files can be edited in place, and remote files open in your preferred editor and upload on save.

Archive management

Browses local and remote archives as if they were ordinary folders, including Quick Look, search and filter.

Git, Terminal and command line tools

Shows the git status of files with add, commit, push and pull, opens a Terminal, iTerm, Warp or Ghostty window at the current path, and runs command line tools by shortcut.

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.

ForkLift

• Single user (1 year of updates)$19.95

  one-time purchase, lifetime license

  For personal use on your Mac. Versions released during the year of updates can be used indefinitely.

• Family (1 year of updates)$29.95

  one-time purchase, lifetime license

  Install on all Macs in your household, with one year of free updates.

• Single user (2 years of updates)$34.95

  one-time purchase, lifetime license

  The personal license with two years of free updates in place of one.

• Family (2 years of updates)$49.95

  one-time purchase, lifetime license

  Install on all Macs in your household, with two years of free updates.

• Small Business (1 year of updates)$69.95

  one-time purchase, lifetime license

  Install on up to 5 Macs in the office, with one year of free updates.

• Small Business (2 years of updates)$119.95

  one-time purchase, lifetime license

  Install on up to 5 Macs in the office, with two years of free updates.

Files

No public discounts listed.

ForkLift

• Lifetime license

  Lifetime license with 1 or 2 years of updates

  Every license is a lifetime license: the versions released during its 1- or 2-year update period can be used indefinitely, for as long as they stay compatible with your macOS.

• Education

  Educational discount on request

  Students, teachers and lecturers can ask for an educational discount by emailing support from an educational address or with proof of eligibility. The amount is not published.

• Other savings

  100 bonus days for existing customers

  Owners of an earlier ForkLift license get 100 extra days of free updates on a new license when they enter their old key in the store.

• Other savings

  Second year of updates at a lower price

  A Single user license with 2 years of updates costs $34.95, against $39.90 for two licenses with 1 year each.