Marta review (2026): is it any good?
Native macOS file manager with keyboard control and Lua plugins
Marta report card
Good · out of 4.0 · graded Nov 13, 2026
Best for a keyboard-driven file manager on a Mac
Marta is a native Mac file manager with keyboard control and Lua plugins, free. The download page calls it beta at version 0.8.2 and its copyright runs only to 2024.
Who Marta is for
- Fits if you want a keyboard-first file manager on a Mac
- Works for people who like scripting their tools in Lua
Who Marta is not for
- Not for you if you want a finished release, since the download page says it is in beta
- Skip it if you use Windows or Linux, as it is Mac only
- Watch out: it needs macOS 11 or later
- Watch out: the site's copyright ends at 2024 and lists no paid support
Why Marta gets a 2.6
Five grades, each with its reason. The GPA is their average: an A is 4 points, an F is none.
- AValue for moneyNo price on the download page; it asks for Patreon support.
- AFree plan and trialFree with no cap and no trial. No cap, no trial and no paid tier.
- CFeaturesArchives as folders, Lua plugin API, built-in terminal and disk usage, but the release is labelled beta.
- CEase of useNo rating on record. Keyboard-driven use and Lua scripting mean a learning curve.
- DPlatforms and integrationsMac only, macOS 11 or later. Mac only, with no Windows, Linux, phone or web version.
What these grades rest on. Graded from this listing, whose facts were read from Yan Zhulanow's own pages on 13 November 2026. Not based on using the product, and shorter than our full reviews. How we review and grade.
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<a href="https://toolgpa.com/tools/marta#review"><img src="https://toolgpa.com/badge/marta.svg" alt="Marta: 2.6 GPA on ToolGPA" width="196" height="56"></a>Where Marta stands among desktop utilities
Marta's GPA of 2.6 is higher than 69 of the 186 other desktop utilities we grade, and level with 46.
It stands best on free plan and trial (A, above 107 of 186) and worst on platforms and integrations (D, above 0).
Marta has no paid plan.
On features, ease of use and platforms it scores 1.7 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. Marta’s own letter is outlined.
- AValue for moneyAbove 55 of 186, level with 131
- AFree plan and trialAbove 107 of 186, level with 79
- CFeaturesAbove 2 of 186, level with 110
- CEase of useAbove 5 of 186, level with 72
- 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 Marta, or make your own?
Keep it
Marta is free, so making your own would save you nothing.
And it is not the kind of software a weekend replaces.
What you could make
- File compression: an app builder makes this well.
What you could not
- A file manager working directly on your disk.
- A real app for macOS. Something home-made would be a web page.
- Sharing with other people, which means accounts and invitations.
What this rests on. Marta’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 Marta?
Marta is a file manager for macOS written in Swift, with tabs, an action panel and archive support. It is customized through a configuration language and Lua plugins, and the vendor invites support through Patreon.
Worth knowing
- The download page says Marta is in beta; the latest version listed is 0.8.2.
- Requires macOS 11.0 or later.
- The site shows a 2016 to 2024 copyright and lists no paid support.
Key features
- Native macOS app
- Written entirely in Swift, according to the vendor.
- Keyboard and mouse
- Works by keyboard or mouse, with an Actions Panel opened by Command-Shift-P.
- Archives as folders
- Opens and writes ZIP and opens RAR, 7Z, XAR, TAR, ISO, CAB, LZH and more, including nested archives.
- Lua plugin API
- Plugins written in Lua can adapt the app, and configuration uses a dedicated DSL.
- Built-in terminal and disk usage
- A terminal syncs its directory with a file pane, and Analyze Disk Usage shows what takes space.
Marta pricing
As of Nov 13, 2026, Marta is free to use.
- Starts at
- Free
- Free plan
- The download page lists no price and invites support on Patreon; the release is labeled beta.
- Free trial
- None listed
| Plan | Price | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | Download listed without a price; optional Patreon support. |
Read from marta.sh on Nov 13, 2026. Prices change, so confirm with Marta before you buy.
Marta alternatives
- Marta vs Path Finder
Free trial · from $2.95/mo
- Marta vs ForkLift
Free trial · from $19.95 one-time
- Marta vs Commander One
Free plan · from $29.99 one-time
- Marta vs fman
Free trial · from €39 one-time
Common questions
Does Marta have an Android app?
No Android app was listed when its pages were read on Nov 13, 2026. Marta is listed for macOS.
Does Marta have an iPhone app?
No iPhone app was listed when its pages were read on Nov 13, 2026. Marta is listed for macOS.
Is Marta open source?
Marta is not described as open source on its own site, as read on Nov 13, 2026.
Sources for this page
The prices, plans, platforms and features above were read from these pages on Nov 13, 2026.