Files vs Path Finder

Price, platforms and features side by side. The table says where each price was read and when.

Files

Open-source file manager for Windows with tabs and dual pane

Free plan · from $12.99 one-time

Path Finder

Dual-pane file manager for Mac, built as a Finder alternative

Free trial · from $2.95/mo

Where they differ

Files starts at $12.99 one-time purchase (Microsoft Store, US price). Path Finder starts at $2.95 per month (subscription), or $29.95 per year.
Files has a free plan. Path Finder does not, though it has a free trial.
Only Files lists a Windows app.
Only Path Finder lists a macOS app.
Files is open source, according to its own site.
Files also covers file compression.
Path Finder also covers file sync.

In commonFile management

	Files	Path Finder
Pricing	Free plan	Free trial
Starts at	$12.99 one-time purchase (Microsoft Store, US price)	$2.95 per month (subscription), or $29.95 per year
Free plan	The app is free through the classic installer, a PowerShell command or the offline packages. The Microsoft Store version is the paid way to get it, sold to support the project.	None
Free trial	None listed	30-day free trial with full access to all features; purchases have a 30-day money-back guarantee
macOS
Windows
Made by	Files Community	Cocoatech LLC
Price read from	apps.microsoft.com	cocoatech.io
Checked	Oct 9, 2026	Oct 6, 2026

Files

Path Finder

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Files

No public discounts listed.

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.