Explorer++ review (2026): is it any good?
Small, portable tabbed file manager for Windows
Explorer++ report card
Very good · out of 4.0 · graded Nov 13, 2026
Best for a small tabbed file manager on Windows
Explorer++ is a small, portable tabbed file manager for Windows, free under GPL-3.0. Releases are infrequent, and the plugin system is still described as planned.
Who Explorer++ is for
- Fits if you want tabs in a Windows file manager without much else
- Works for people who carry tools on a USB stick
Who Explorer++ is not for
- Skip it if you want frequent updates, as the home page shows version 1.4.0 and a 2023 copyright
- Not for you if you want plugins, since that system is only described as planned
- Watch out: it is Windows only
- Too light for dual-pane work, as it is a single-pane tabbed manager
Why Explorer++ gets a 3.0
Five grades, each with its reason. The GPA is their average: an A is 4 points, an F is none.
- AValue for moneyFree under GPL-3.0. Nothing to pay, under every price the category charges.
- AFree plan and trialFree with no cap, no trial and no paid tier.
- BFeaturesTabbed browsing, preview pane, file operations, search and filter, and a portable build. No gap shown in a file manager's job.
- BEase of useNo rating on record. It looks like Explorer with tabs, with nothing to set up.
- DPlatforms and integrationsWindows only, in 32-bit, 64-bit and ARM64 builds.
What these grades rest on. Graded from this listing, whose facts were read from David Erceg's own pages on 13 November 2026. Not based on using the product, and shorter than our full reviews. How we review and grade.
Make Explorer++? Put this grade on your site
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<a href="https://toolgpa.com/tools/explorer#review"><img src="https://toolgpa.com/badge/explorer.svg" alt="Explorer++: 3.0 GPA on ToolGPA" width="196" height="56"></a>Where Explorer++ stands among desktop utilities
Explorer++'s GPA of 3.0 is higher than 154 of the 186 other desktop utilities we grade, and level with 27.
It stands best on free plan and trial (A, above 107 of 186) and worst on platforms and integrations (D, above 0).
Explorer++ has no paid plan.
On features, ease of use and platforms it scores 2.3 out of 4. Nothing scores higher for less, though at least one tool matches that score at a lower price.
Each grade against the category
Every bar is all 187 desktop utilities we grade, cut by the letter each got. Explorer++’s own letter is outlined.
- AValue for moneyAbove 55 of 186, level with 131
- AFree plan and trialAbove 107 of 186, level with 79
- BFeaturesAbove 113 of 186, level with 72
- BEase of useAbove 78 of 186, level with 108
- DPlatforms and integrationsAbove 0 of 186, level with 110
Price against what you get
Each dot is one of 103 desktop utilities. Further left costs less, and higher up scores better on features, ease of use and platforms. Point at a dot to see which tool it is.
Features, ease of use and platforms, averaged
What paid plans start at, a month (each step along is roughly double) →
- The best score at each price
- Has a free plan
- No free plan
Keep Explorer++, or make your own?
Keep it
Explorer++ is free, so making your own would save you nothing.
It is one of the better ones too: its GPA of 3.0 is higher than 154 of the 186 other desktop utilities we grade.
What you could not
- A file manager working directly on your disk.
- A real app for Windows. Something home-made would be a web page.
- The depth: we grade its features B, which means it covers the whole job.
What this rests on. Explorer++’s listing: what it does, where it runs, what it plugs into and what it costs. It is a judgement about the kind of software this is. We have not built a replacement for it, and making your own means looking after it too. How we decide, and every tool’s verdict.
What is Explorer++?
Explorer++ is a lightweight file manager for Windows with tabs, bookmarks and a preview pane. It runs without installation and its source code is published on GitHub under the GPL-3.0 license.
Worth knowing
- Windows only, with 32-bit, 64-bit and ARM64 builds.
- The home page lists version 1.4.0 and a copyright of 2023, so releases are infrequent.
- A plugin system is described only as planned or in development on the site's blog.
Key features
- Tabbed browsing
- Open several folders in tabs, and bookmark tabs.
- Portable
- No install is needed; settings can be saved to the registry or to a configuration file.
- Preview pane
- A display window shows a preview of a file as you select it.
- File operations
- Merge and split files, change dates and attributes, and save a directory listing.
- Search and filter
- Search by name and attributes, filter files, and switch between icon, list, detail, thumbnail and tile views.
Explorer++ pricing
As of Nov 13, 2026, Explorer++ is free to use.
- Starts at
- Free
- Free plan
- Free to download; the source is released under the GPL-3.0 license.
- Free trial
- None listed
| Plan | Price | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | Free to download and use; the site accepts donations. |
Read from explorerplusplus.com on Nov 13, 2026. Prices change, so confirm with Explorer++ before you buy.
Explorer++ alternatives
- Explorer++ vs Files
Free plan · from $12.99 one-time
- Explorer++ vs One Commander
Free plan · from $30 one-time
- Explorer++ vs FreeCommander
Free plan · from €10 one-time
- Explorer++ vs XYplorer
Free trial · from $34.95 one-time
Common questions
Does Explorer++ have an Android app?
No Android app was listed when its pages were read on Nov 13, 2026. Explorer++ is listed for Windows.
Does Explorer++ have an iPhone app?
No iPhone app was listed when its pages were read on Nov 13, 2026. Explorer++ is listed for Windows.
Is Explorer++ open source?
Yes. Explorer++ is open source, according to its own site.
Sources for this page
The prices, plans, platforms and features above were read from these pages on Nov 13, 2026.