TeraCopy vs Total Commander

TeraCopy

• Large or unattended transfers that should not stop at the first error
• Backups and media work where every copy must be verified by checksum
• Windows users who find the built-in copy dialog too limited

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

TeraCopy

• The free version is not licensed for commercial use and is limited to 2 copy threads.
• Copying to multiple destinations, file list editing, favorite folders and HTML or CSV reports require a paid license.
• TeraCopy 4 needs Windows 10 or 11. The Mac app is a separate, simpler version 1.1 with four hash algorithms, and its page offers a download but no purchase link.
• A license includes free minor updates, with discounted upgrades for major versions; the About page still describes a lifetime license.

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.

TeraCopy

Error recovery

When a file fails to copy, TeraCopy skips it without ending the whole transfer and waits for a network or device to reconnect. Failed or skipped files can be retried afterwards.

File verification

Checks that destination files match the source using 17 checksum algorithms, including CRC32, MD5, SHA1, BLAKE3 and xxHash3, and can generate or validate checksum files.

Explorer integration

Replaces the copy and move functions in Windows Explorer, with an optional confirmation dialog on drag and drop to prevent folders being moved by accident.

Queue, history and file list

Transfers queue to run one after another. The file list doubles as a log of sizes, checksums and errors, and finished tasks are kept for a few days for review.

Locked files and metadata

Copies locked files through an elevated Windows service and Volume Shadow Copy, and lets you choose which metadata to carry over, such as timestamps, streams and permissions.

Paid extras

Pro and Business licenses add copying to several destinations at once, 3 or more copy threads, file list editing with ignore lists, favorite folders and HTML or CSV reports.

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.

TeraCopy

• TeraCopy$0

  Free version with no expiry: verification, checksum files, locked-file copying and Explorer integration, with up to 2 copy threads. Not for commercial use.

• Pro license$34.95

  one-time purchase

  For individuals and freelancers on all their own devices. Adds multiple destinations, 3 or more threads, file list editing, favorite folders and report export.

• Business license$49.95

  one-time purchase

  The paid features licensed for commercial use by teams, companies, government agencies and educational institutions.

• Site license$999

  one-time purchase

  Covers up to 100 users across all of an organization's locations.

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.

TeraCopy

• Other savings

  Volume discounts from 5 licenses

  The purchase page lists discounts of 10% for 5 to 9 licenses, 20% for 10 to 19 and 35% for 20 to 29.

• Other savings

  Bundle with Direct Folders

  TeraCopy and Direct Folders together cost $44.95 for a Pro license or $59.95 for a Business license, against $64.90 and $94.90 when bought separately.

• Other savings

  Lower price when paying with cryptocurrency

  The purchase page lists TeraCopy Pro at $25 when paid in Bitcoin, Lightning or altcoins through CoinPayments, which it describes as a 25% discount.

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.