FreeCommander vs Q-Dir (2026): which should you pick?

Pick FreeCommander if

• Fits if you use Windows at home and want panes and tabs
• Works for people who sync or compare two folders

Look elsewhere if

• Not for you if you use it for work on the free build, as commercial use needs a paid 64-bit licence after a 30-day test
• Watch out: the free 32-bit build updates about once a year, the 64-bit one several times
• Watch out: prices are in euros, exclude VAT, and are sold through PayPro Global
• Skip it if you use a Mac or Linux, as it is Windows only

Pick Q-Dir if

• Fits if you compare or copy between several folders at once
• Works for people who want a portable file explorer

Look elsewhere if

• Not for you if you use a Mac or Linux, as only Windows is listed
• Skip it if you need paid support, since the page lists none
• Watch out: a licence screen appears on first start on each PC
• Too light for archive work, as archives aren't on its feature list

FreeCommander

• Prices are in euros, excluding VAT, and the 64-bit license is sold through PayPro Global.
• Commercial use requires a paid 64-bit license after a 30-day test of the 32-bit version.
• Updates to the free 32-bit version come about once a year; the 64-bit version is updated several times a year.

Q-Dir

• Windows only; no macOS or Linux version is listed.
• A license screen appears the first time it starts on each PC.
• The page lists no paid support or paid edition.

FreeCommander

Dual panels and tabs

Horizontal or vertical dual panels, an optional single panel, tabs and an optional tree view for each panel.

Archives

Built-in handling of ZIP files (read and write), nested archives, and plugins for RAR and 7z.

Compare and synchronize

Folder comparison, folder synchronization, duplicate search and MD5 and SHA checksums.

Multi rename and filters

Multi-rename tool and file filters that can use regular expressions.

64-bit extras

The 64-bit version adds a built-in PDF viewer, text search in PDF and Office files, SFTP and built-in color schemes.

Q-Dir

Four views in one window

Quad-explorer layout with up to 16 tabs in each of the four windows, per the vendor page.

Saved folder combinations

Favorites store folder combinations; up to 64 combinations can be saved in one favorite.

Color and highlight filters

Files and folders can be colored by type, and files highlighted by extension.

Portable use

It does not have to be installed and can run from a USB stick.

Export and print

Listings can be exported to XLS, CSV, TXT or HTML and printed.

FreeCommander

• 32-bit€0

  Free for private use; commercial users need a 64-bit license after a 30-day test.

• One download€10

  one-time, private users only, excluding VAT

  One download link to the current 64-bit version, valid 7 days; no updates.

• One year€18

  for 12 months of 64-bit downloads, excluding VAT

  Download any 64-bit version for a year; versions you downloaded stay usable.

• Two years€28

  for 24 months of 64-bit downloads, excluding VAT

  Same as One year, for two years.

Q-Dir

• Free$0

  Free for private and business use.

FreeCommander

• Other savings

  Two-year license costs less per year

  The 64-bit Two years license is €28 against €18 for One year, so the second year costs €10 more.

Q-Dir

No public discounts listed.