Files vs Total Commander
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
Total Commander
Two-pane file manager for Windows with FTP and archive tools
Where they differ
- Files starts at $12.99 one-time purchase (Microsoft Store, US price). Total Commander starts at €42 one-time purchase, plus VAT where charged (Windows licence).
- Files has a free plan. Total Commander does not, though it has a free trial.
- Only Total Commander lists an Android app.
- Files is open source, according to its own site.
- Total Commander can be bought with a one-time purchase.
At a glance
| Files | Total Commander | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Free plan | Free trial |
| Starts at | $12.99 one-time purchase (Microsoft Store, US price) | €42 one-time purchase, plus VAT where charged (Windows licence) |
| 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 test period with the fully functional shareware version for Windows |
| Windows | ||
| Android | ||
| Made by | Files Community | Ghisler Software GmbH |
| Price read from | apps.microsoft.com | ghisler.com |
| Checked | Oct 9, 2026 | Oct 6, 2026 |
Who each one suits
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
Total Commander
- Windows users who manage many files and prefer two panels to Explorer
- People who want FTP, archive handling and file comparison in one program
- Companies that want concurrent-use licences not tied to single computers
Worth knowing
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.
Total Commander
- The Windows version is shareware: after 30 days you must order a licence (€42 plus VAT where charged) or delete the program.
- There is no native Mac or Linux version. The vendor suggests a Windows emulator on a Mac and says it runs on Linux with Wine.
- The price is set in euros and charged by an EU payment processor; the vendor warns of a possible 1-2.5% processing fee from your bank.
- The registration key is not instant: the order page says to allow about 1-2 business days for delivery.
Key features
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.
Total Commander
- Two file windows side by side
- Shows two file panels next to each other for copying and moving between folders, with a tabbed interface, history and favorites buttons, thumbnails view and custom columns.
- Archive handling
- Packs and unpacks files, with handling for ZIP, 7ZIP, ARJ, LZH, RAR, UC2, TAR, GZ, CAB and ACE archives and further formats through plugins.
- Built-in FTP client
- Connects to FTP servers with FTPS (encrypted FTP) and HTTP proxy support, and includes a password manager for FTP and plugin connections.
- Compare and synchronize
- Compares files by content in a compare editor and synchronizes directories, including empty ones.
- Multi-rename tool and search
- Renames many files in one operation, and offers an enhanced search function, regular expressions and a quick file filter on Ctrl+S.
- Quick View panel
- A Quick View panel previews the selected file inside the program, including image and video display.
Plans
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.
Total Commander
Total Commander for Android€0
Freeware app for smartphones and tablets running Android 2.2 or newer.
Total Commander for Windows€42
one-time purchase per user, plus VAT where charged
Registration key for the Windows version. One licence covers one person on any number of computers, and updates are free until further notice.
Ways to pay less
Files
No public discounts listed.
Total Commander
- Education
Student and pupil licence for €31.50
Students and pupils pay EUR 31.50 plus VAT, down from EUR 42, after emailing proof of study to get a rebate code. The licence is issued in the student's own name.
- Lifetime license
Licence with no time limit and free updates
Single- and multi-user licences are valid for an unlimited time. The vendor says all updates have been free for registered users since version 1.0, until further notice.
