The NameChanger Insider’s Guide
Everything we know about NameChanger 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.
NameChanger
The Insider’s Guide
Free Mac app for renaming a list of files with a live preview
Every plan, grade, refund rule and rival among desktop utilities, read from NameChanger’s own pages.
Made by MRR Software · 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 NameChanger’s own pages, its app-store listings and our grades. Every fact in it is on NameChanger’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
NameChanger is a Mac app built for one job: renaming a list of files. Files are dragged in, a renaming rule is chosen, and the new names update in a preview column as you type before anything is changed. It is free, with optional donations to fund development, and it also runs as a Finder service.
To get you started, here are 8 things to know about NameChanger, taken from its own pages and our grades.
Drag files in, choose a rule, watch the preview.
- 1
Best for a free Mac renamer with a live preview
NameChanger is a free Mac app that renames a list of files, with a live preview as you type.
- 2
It is free
NameChanger has no paid plan at all.
- 3
It runs on macOS
macOS.
- 4
Live preview of new names
An Original Filename column and a Renamed Filename column update as you type, so every change is visible before you press Rename.
- 5
Eleven rename types
Replace first, last or all occurrences, wildcard, append, prepend, date, sequence, character removal, regular expression and case change.
- 6
Checkbox control per file
Load a folder of files once and rename only the checked rows, without adding and removing files between runs.
- 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
NameChanger is free, so making your own would save you nothing.
NameChanger at a glance
- Pricing
- Free
- Free plan
- It is free
- Free trial
- None stated
- Runs on
- macOS
- Made by
- MRR Software
- Category
- Desktop Utilities
- Our grade
- 3.0 GPA, very good
The report card
Best for a free Mac renamer with a live preview
NameChanger is a free Mac app that renames a list of files, with a live preview as you type. But it applies one rule at a time, it is Mac only, and its page carries a 2018 copyright line.
| Subject | Grade | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Value for money | A | Free, with donations optional. No paid edition is listed. |
| Free plan and trial | A | The whole app is free, with no limits or trial on record. |
| Features | C | Eleven rename types, a per-file checkbox and rename history. It does that one job fully, but it is a smaller job: one rule at a time, no chaining. |
| Ease of use | B | Drag files in, choose a rule, watch the preview. Nothing to set up, though no store rating is on record. |
| Platforms and integrations | C | Mac only, with older builds for older systems. No other platform. |
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 NameChanger is for
- Fits if you rename photos or files on a Mac and want a free preview-first tool
- Works for quick one-rule jobs, like adding a prefix to 50 files
Who it is not for
- Skip it if you want to chain several rules in one pass, as it applies one at a time
- Not for you if you use Windows or Linux, since it is Mac only
- Watch out: the page carries a 2018 copyright line, so how often it is updated isn't clear
- Too light for you if names should come from photo or music tags in bulk
Good to know
Good for
- Mac users who want a simple, free renamer without a rule builder
- Quick one-off renames where seeing the result as you type matters
- Anyone who prefers a small single-purpose tool
Worth knowing
- Mac only; it needs OS X 10.13 or later, with older builds offered for earlier systems.
- Renames files by one rule at a time rather than by chained methods.
- The vendor page carries a 2018 copyright line, so its update cadence is not clear from the page.
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
NameChanger is free to use.
The whole app is free, with no limits or trial on record.
Free
$0
The full app is free. The download page asks for an optional donation of $5 to $40 to fund future development.
Read from mrrsoftware.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: macOS
Free Mac app for renaming a list of files with a live preview. Here is what it does, as its own site describes it, and what it covers: works offline, file management.
Eleven rename types, a per-file checkbox and rename history.
- Live preview of new names
- An Original Filename column and a Renamed Filename column update as you type, so every change is visible before you press Rename.
- Eleven rename types
- Replace first, last or all occurrences, wildcard, append, prepend, date, sequence, character removal, regular expression and case change.
- Checkbox control per file
- Load a folder of files once and rename only the checked rows, without adding and removing files between runs.
- Rename history
- The app keeps a history of the renames it has performed, and reports any files it could not change.
- Finder service and drag and drop
- Right-click files in Finder and choose Rename with NameChanger, or drop files or folders onto the app.
- Image browser and EXIF dates
- Reorder and name pictures visually, and use EXIF dates, including subseconds when available, in names.
Where it runs
- macOS
What it works with
Its own pages name no integrations.
NameChanger is made by MRR Software.
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
NameChanger'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 features (C, above 2).
NameChanger 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. NameChanger’s own letter is outlined.
- AValue for moneyAbove 55 of 186
- AFree plan and trialAbove 107 of 186
- CFeaturesAbove 2 of 186
- BEase of useAbove 78 of 186
- CPlatforms and integrationsAbove 111 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. NameChanger 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
NameChanger 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 macOS. Something home-made would be a web page.
What this rests on. NameChanger’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
Renamer, Advanced Renamer, Bulk Rename Utility, Hazel and Path Finder
The 5 tools NameChanger is most often weighed against, with where each one differs from it.
- 2.2GPA
Renamer
From $26 one-time
Batch file renamer for macOS and Windows with reusable workflows.
- NameChanger has a free plan. Renamer does not.
- Only Renamer lists a Windows app.
- Renamer can be bought with a one-time purchase.
- 2.8GPA
Advanced Renamer
Free plan · from $16 one-time
Batch file and folder renamer for Windows and Mac.
- Only Advanced Renamer lists a Windows app.
- Advanced Renamer can be bought with a one-time purchase.
- Advanced Renamer also covers workflow automation.
- 2.4GPA
Bulk Rename Utility
Free plan · from $24.95
Windows file renamer with many criteria, free for home use.
- Only NameChanger lists a macOS app.
- Only Bulk Rename Utility lists a Windows app.
- 2.0GPA
Hazel
Free trial · from $42 one-time
Rule-based automatic file organization for the Mac.
- NameChanger has a free plan. Hazel does not, though it has a free trial.
- Hazel can be bought with a one-time purchase.
- Hazel also covers workflow automation and disk cleanup.
- 2.2GPA
Path Finder
Free trial · from $2.95/mo
Dual-pane file manager for Mac, built as a Finder alternative.
- NameChanger has a free plan. Path Finder does not, though it has a free trial.
- Path Finder also covers file sync.
Part 06 · Questions
Quick answers
The questions people ask about it, each answered in a line or two
12
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 NameChanger free?
Yes. NameChanger is free to use.
How much does NameChanger cost?
NameChanger lists one plan. Free: $0.
What platforms does NameChanger work on?
NameChanger is available on macOS.
Does NameChanger have an Android app?
No Android app was listed when its pages were read on Nov 13, 2026. NameChanger is listed for macOS.
Does NameChanger have an iPhone app?
No iPhone app was listed when its pages were read on Nov 13, 2026. NameChanger is listed for macOS.
Is NameChanger open source?
NameChanger is not described as open source on its own site, as read on Nov 13, 2026.
Does NameChanger work offline?
Yes, according to its own site. What works without a connection differs by plan and platform, so check the vendor's page for the detail.
Who makes NameChanger?
NameChanger is made by MRR Software.
What are the alternatives to NameChanger?
The closest alternatives to NameChanger in our directory are Renamer, Advanced Renamer, Bulk Rename Utility, Hazel and Path Finder.
How does NameChanger compare with other desktop utilities?
NameChanger's GPA of 3.0 is higher than 154 of the 186 other desktop utilities we grade, and level with 27.
Is NameChanger good value for money?
ToolGPA grades NameChanger A for value for money. NameChanger has no paid plan.
Could I make my own version of NameChanger?
NameChanger 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 NameChanger’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 MRR Software'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 MRR Software. Prices change, so check mrrsoftware.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
- NameChanger, kept up to dateEverything in this guide, with prices and grades as they are todaytoolgpa.com/tools/namechanger
- 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, "NameChanger: The Insider's Guide", checked Nov 13, 2026. https://toolgpa.com/tools/namechanger
Know someone choosing between desktop utilities?
Send them this guide: toolgpa.com/tools/namechanger/guide
ToolGPA elsewhere: youtube.com/@toolgpa
See our other guides
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- 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 NameChanger’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. NameChanger is a trademark of its owner, and this guide is not made, paid for or approved by MRR Software. Prices and plans change: check mrrsoftware.com before you buy.