The Explorer++ Insider’s Guide
Everything we know about Explorer++ in one document: what it costs, its grades, getting a refund, getting help and what else to look at. Read it here, or keep a copy.
Explorer++
The Insider’s Guide
Small, portable tabbed file manager for Windows
Every plan, grade, refund rule and rival among desktop utilities, read from Explorer++’s own pages.
Made by David Erceg · checked Nov 13, 2026 · toolgpa.com
Contents
- 01WelcomeWhat it is, who it suits, its grades and the ten things to know first
- 02What it costsEvery plan, the free plan, ways to pay less and how prices have moved
- 03What it doesIts main features, where it runs, what it works with and who makes it
- 04Where it standsIts grades against its category, and whether to keep it or make your own
- 05The alternativesThe tools it is most often weighed against, side by side
- 06Quick answersThe questions people ask about it, each answered in a line or two
- 07About ToolGPAWho made this guide, what else is on the site, and how to cite it
ToolGPA put this guide together from Explorer++’s own pages, its app-store listings and our grades. Every fact in it is on Explorer++’s page too, where it is kept up to date. Checked Nov 13, 2026.
Part 01 · Overview
Welcome
What it is, who it suits, its grades and the ten things to know first
3.0
GPA, above 154 of the 186 other desktop utilities we grade
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.
To get you started, here are 8 things to know about Explorer++, taken from its own pages and our grades.
It looks like Explorer with tabs, with nothing to set up.
- 1
Best for a small tabbed file manager on Windows
Releases are infrequent, and the plugin system is still described as planned.
- 2
It is free
Explorer++ has no paid plan at all. Free to download; the source is released under the GPL-3.0 license.
- 3
It runs on Windows
Windows.
- 4
Tabbed browsing
Open several folders in tabs, and bookmark tabs.
- 5
Portable
No install is needed; settings can be saved to the registry or to a configuration file.
- 6
Preview pane
A display window shows a preview of a file as you select it.
- 7
A 3.0 GPA, above 154 of 186
That is against the other desktop utilities we grade, on value, the free plan, features, ease of use and platforms.
- 8
Keep it
Explorer++ is free, so making your own would save you nothing.
Explorer++ at a glance
- Pricing
- Free
- Free plan
- Yes
- Free trial
- None stated
- Runs on
- Windows
- Made by
- David Erceg
- Category
- Desktop Utilities
- Our grade
- 3.0 GPA, very good
The report card
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.
| Subject | Grade | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Value for money | A | Free under GPL-3.0. Nothing to pay, under every price the category charges. |
| Free plan and trial | A | Free with no cap, no trial and no paid tier. |
| Features | B | Tabbed browsing, preview pane, file operations, search and filter, and a portable build. No gap shown in a file manager's job. |
| Ease of use | B | No rating on record. It looks like Explorer with tabs, with nothing to set up. |
| Platforms and integrations | D | Windows only, in 32-bit, 64-bit and ARM64 builds. |
An A is worth 4 points, a B 3, a C 2, a D 1 and an F nothing. The GPA is the average of the five.
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 it 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
Good to know
Good for
- Windows users who want tabs in a small file manager
- People who want a file manager they can carry without installing
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.
Part 02 · Pricing
What it costs
Every plan, the free plan, ways to pay less and how prices have moved
Free
No paid plan at all
Explorer++ is free to use.
Nothing to pay, under every price the category charges.
Free
$0
Free to download and use; the site accepts donations.
The free plan
Free to download; the source is released under the GPL-3.0 license.
Read from explorerplusplus.com on Nov 13, 2026.
Part 03 · Features
What it does
Its main features, where it runs, what it works with and who makes it
1
Place it runs: Windows
Small, portable tabbed file manager for Windows. Here is what it does, as its own site describes it, and what it covers: open source, file management.
Tabbed browsing, preview pane, file operations, search and filter, and a portable build.
- 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.
Where it runs
- Windows
What it works with
Its own pages name no integrations.
Explorer++ is made by David Erceg.
Part 04 · Standing
Where it stands
Its grades against its category, and whether to keep it or make your own
154/186
Other desktop utilities it is graded above
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
- AFree plan and trialAbove 107 of 186
- BFeaturesAbove 113 of 186
- BEase of useAbove 78 of 186
- DPlatforms and integrationsAbove 0 of 186
Price against what you get
Each dot is one of 103 desktop utilities. Further left costs less; higher up scores better on features, ease of use and platforms. Explorer++ is the marked dot.
What paid plans start at, a month (each step along is roughly double) →
Keep it, or make your own?
Whether this is something you could build for yourself with an AI app builder, and what you would give up.
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.
Part 05 · Alternatives
The alternatives
The tools it is most often weighed against, side by side
Files, One Commander, Q-Dir, FreeCommander and XYplorer
The 5 tools Explorer++ is most often weighed against, with where each one differs from it.
- 2.8GPA
Files
Free plan · from $12.99 one-time
Open-source file manager for Windows with tabs and dual pane.
- Files also covers file compression.
- 2.6GPA
One Commander
Free plan · from $30 one-time
Dual-pane Windows file manager with Miller columns, free for home use.
- Explorer++ is open source, according to its own site.
- One Commander can be bought with a one-time purchase.
- 2.8GPA
Q-Dir
Free
Four-pane Windows file explorer, free for home and business use.
- Explorer++ is open source, according to its own site.
- 2.6GPA
FreeCommander
Free plan · from €10 one-time
Dual-pane Windows file manager, free 32-bit and paid 64-bit.
- Explorer++ is open source, according to its own site.
- FreeCommander can be bought with a one-time purchase.
- FreeCommander also covers file compression.
- 2.4GPA
XYplorer
Free trial · from $34.95 one-time
Portable tabbed file manager for Windows with scripting.
- Explorer++ has a free plan. XYplorer does not, though it has a free trial.
- Explorer++ is open source, according to its own site.
- XYplorer can be bought with a one-time purchase.
Part 06 · Questions
Quick answers
The questions people ask about it, each answered in a line or two
11
Questions, each answered in a line or two
The short version of everything above, for when you only need the answer. Each one is told in full in its part of the guide.
Is Explorer++ free?
Yes. Explorer++ is free to use.
How much does Explorer++ cost?
Explorer++ lists one plan. Free: $0.
What platforms does Explorer++ work on?
Explorer++ is available on Windows.
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.
Who makes Explorer++?
Explorer++ is made by David Erceg.
What are the alternatives to Explorer++?
The closest alternatives to Explorer++ in our directory are Files, One Commander, Q-Dir, FreeCommander and XYplorer.
How does Explorer++ compare with other desktop utilities?
Explorer++'s GPA of 3.0 is higher than 154 of the 186 other desktop utilities we grade, and level with 27.
Is Explorer++ good value for money?
ToolGPA grades Explorer++ A for value for money. Explorer++ has no paid plan.
Could I make my own version of Explorer++?
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.
Where this guide comes from
The prices, plans, platforms and features were read from Explorer++’s own pages on Nov 13, 2026, and the grades were given on Nov 13, 2026. 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.
Every tool we list gets five grades, A to F, each with its reason, and a GPA that averages them. How each is decided is at toolgpa.com/grades. This guide is ToolGPA’s own work; it is not made, paid for or approved by David Erceg. Prices change, so check explorerplusplus.com before you buy.
Part 07 · About
About ToolGPA
Who made this guide, what else is on the site, and how to cite it
7,721
Tools graded, in 95 categories
ToolGPA grades software the way a school report grades a pupil: five subjects, a letter for each with the reason written beside it, and a GPA that averages them. Prices, plans and platforms are read from each maker’s own pages and dated, so you always know how fresh a figure is.
Every grade, review and ranking on ToolGPA is our own judgement. No company can pay for a grade or change one. Every tool on the site has a guide like this one, free to download and pass on. It all lives at toolgpa.com.
7,721
tools graded
95
categories
739
price changes on record
579
apps priced in 12 countries
What else is on toolgpa.com
- Explorer++, kept up to dateEverything in this guide, with prices and grades as they are todaytoolgpa.com/tools/explorer
- How grades are givenThe rules behind every letter and every GPAtoolgpa.com/grades
- Value chartsWhat each tool costs against what it scores, for every categorytoolgpa.com/charts
- CompareAny two tools side by side, plan by plantoolgpa.com/compare
- Price changesEvery price rise and cut on record, each with its sourcetoolgpa.com/price-changes
- Prices by countryWhat apps cost on the App Store in 12 countriestoolgpa.com/prices-by-country
- Pay lessEvery public discount: yearly billing, students, nonprofitstoolgpa.com/save
- Keep or makeWhich tools are worth paying for, and which you could build yourselftoolgpa.com/keep-or-make
Scan for the live page
Prices and grades as they are today
Quoting this guide?
Please name ToolGPA and link to the live page, so readers can check the figures for themselves:
ToolGPA, "Explorer++: The Insider's Guide", checked Nov 13, 2026. https://toolgpa.com/tools/explorer
Know someone choosing between desktop utilities?
Send them this guide: toolgpa.com/tools/explorer/guide
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See our other guides
The best-graded desktop utilities after Explorer++, each with an Insider's Guide of its own.
- Desktop Utilities Insider's GuideEvery one of the 187 desktop utilities we grade, compared
- Just Color Picker Insider's GuideFree portable color picker and editor for Windows and macOS3.2 GPA
- LocalSend Insider's GuideOpen-source file sharing between nearby devices, no cloud3.2 GPA
- Mos Insider's GuideFree Mac menu bar utility for smooth mouse wheel scrolling3.2 GPA
Choosing software? Every tool graded, every price dated.
Compare tools at toolgpa.com ›Everything in this guide is ToolGPA’s own summary of what Explorer++’s pages, its app-store listings and public reviews said on the dates shown. Grades are our judgement under the rules at toolgpa.com/grades. Every grade, review and ranking on ToolGPA is our own judgement. No company can pay for a grade or change one. Explorer++ is a trademark of its owner, and this guide is not made, paid for or approved by David Erceg. Prices and plans change: check explorerplusplus.com before you buy.