ForkLift
Dual-pane file manager and file transfer client for macOS
What is ForkLift?
ForkLift 4 is a dual-pane file manager and file transfer client for macOS from BinaryNights. Alongside local file management it connects to SFTP, FTP, WebDAV, Amazon S3, Google Drive, OneDrive, Dropbox and network volumes, compares and synchronizes folders, and browses archives as folders. It is sold as a lifetime license that includes one or two years of updates, and it can be used in a free trial mode before buying.
ForkLift is a paid product with a free trial, starting at $19.95 one-time (Single user license with 1 year of updates). See every plan
Good for
- Mac users who manage files on servers and cloud storage as well as local disks
- Web developers who want an SFTP and S3 client inside their file manager
- Keeping two folders, local or remote, in sync
Worth knowing
- macOS only. ForkLift 4.4 and later require macOS 14.6; earlier ForkLift 4 versions need macOS 12.4 or later.
- A license includes updates for 1 or 2 years. Later versions run in trial mode until a new license is bought, though covered versions keep working.
- The Single user license is for personal use; office use on up to 5 Macs needs the Small Business license, from $69.95.
- Dropbox Smart Sync is not supported; the vendor says no API is available for it.
Key features
- Two panes, tabs and workspaces
- Shows two file panes side by side with tabs in each, and Workspaces save a layout of open tabs and locations to load again later.
- Remote connections
- Connects to SFTP, FTP, WebDAV, Amazon S3, Backblaze B2, Google Drive, OneDrive, Dropbox, SMB, AFP and NFS, with several servers open at once and drag and drop between them.
- Folder sync
- Compares a local or remote source and target folder to find matching, modified, new and deleted files, then synchronizes them one-way or two-way. A sync can be saved as a favorite.
- Preview and remote editing
- A preview panel plays audio and video and shows images and PDFs. Text files can be edited in place, and remote files open in your preferred editor and upload on save.
- Archive management
- Browses local and remote archives as if they were ordinary folders, including Quick Look, search and filter.
- Git, Terminal and command line tools
- Shows the git status of files with add, commit, push and pull, opens a Terminal, iTerm, Warp or Ghostty window at the current path, and runs command line tools by shortcut.
ForkLift pricing
- Starts at
- $19.95 one-time (Single user license with 1 year of updates)
- Free plan
- None
- Free trial
- Free trial mode without a license key; the vendor's pages state no time limit
| Plan | Price | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Single user (1 year of updates) | $19.95one-time purchase, lifetime license | For personal use on your Mac. Versions released during the year of updates can be used indefinitely. |
| Family (1 year of updates) | $29.95one-time purchase, lifetime license | Install on all Macs in your household, with one year of free updates. |
| Single user (2 years of updates) | $34.95one-time purchase, lifetime license | The personal license with two years of free updates in place of one. |
| Family (2 years of updates) | $49.95one-time purchase, lifetime license | Install on all Macs in your household, with two years of free updates. |
| Small Business (1 year of updates) | $69.95one-time purchase, lifetime license | Install on up to 5 Macs in the office, with one year of free updates. |
| Small Business (2 years of updates) | $119.95one-time purchase, lifetime license | Install on up to 5 Macs in the office, with two years of free updates. |
Read from binarynights.com on Oct 6, 2026. Prices change, so confirm with ForkLift before you buy.
Ways to pay less
- Lifetime licenseLifetime license with 1 or 2 years of updates
Every license is a lifetime license: the versions released during its 1- or 2-year update period can be used indefinitely, for as long as they stay compatible with your macOS.
Stated on binarynights.com - EducationEducational discount on request
Students, teachers and lecturers can ask for an educational discount by emailing support from an educational address or with proof of eligibility. The amount is not published.
Stated on binarynights.com - Other savings100 bonus days for existing customers
Owners of an earlier ForkLift license get 100 extra days of free updates on a new license when they enter their old key in the store.
Stated on binarynights.com - Other savingsSecond year of updates at a lower price
A Single user license with 2 years of updates costs $34.95, against $39.90 for two licenses with 1 year each.
Stated on binarynights.com
Works with
ForkLift alternatives
- ForkLift vs Path Finder
Free trial · from $2.95/mo
- ForkLift vs Total Commander
Free trial · from €42 one-time
- ForkLift vs Directory Opus
Free trial · from $89 one-time
- ForkLift vs Files
Free plan · from $12.99 one-time
Common questions
Is ForkLift free?
No, ForkLift is a paid product, but you can try it first. Free trial mode without a license key; the vendor's pages state no time limit.
How much does ForkLift cost?
ForkLift lists 6 plans. Single user (1 year of updates): $19.95 one-time purchase, lifetime license. Family (1 year of updates): $29.95 one-time purchase, lifetime license. Single user (2 years of updates): $34.95 one-time purchase, lifetime license. Family (2 years of updates): $49.95 one-time purchase, lifetime license. Small Business (1 year of updates): $69.95 one-time purchase, lifetime license. Small Business (2 years of updates): $119.95 one-time purchase, lifetime license. Prices were read from binarynights.com on Oct 6, 2026.
What platforms does ForkLift work on?
ForkLift is available on macOS.
Does ForkLift offer any discounts?
ForkLift publicly lists the following: Lifetime license with 1 or 2 years of updates; Educational discount on request; 100 bonus days for existing customers; Second year of updates at a lower price.
Does ForkLift have an Android app?
No Android app was listed when its pages were read on Oct 6, 2026. ForkLift is listed for macOS.
Does ForkLift have an iPhone app?
No iPhone app was listed when its pages were read on Oct 6, 2026. ForkLift is listed for macOS.
Is ForkLift open source?
ForkLift is not described as open source on its own site, as read on Oct 6, 2026.
What does ForkLift integrate with?
ForkLift's listing names Amazon S3, Backblaze B2, Google Drive, Microsoft OneDrive, Dropbox and iCloud. A listing names up to eight integrations, so it may connect to more.
Does ForkLift have a student discount?
Educational discount on request. Students, teachers and lecturers can ask for an educational discount by emailing support from an educational address or with proof of eligibility. The amount is not published.
Who makes ForkLift?
ForkLift is made by BinaryNights LLC.
What are the alternatives to ForkLift?
The closest alternatives to ForkLift in our directory are Path Finder, Total Commander, Directory Opus and Files. Each one has a side-by-side comparison with ForkLift.
Sources for this page
The prices, plans, platforms and features above were read from these pages on Oct 6, 2026.