# Total Commander

> Two-pane file manager for Windows with FTP and archive tools

Total Commander is a file manager for Windows from Ghisler Software that shows two file windows side by side. Beyond copying, moving and deleting files, it packs and unpacks archives, connects to FTP servers, compares files by content, synchronizes directories and renames files in bulk. The Windows version is shareware with a 30-day test period and a one-time licence priced in euros; the Android app is freeware.

- **Category:** Desktop Utilities
- **Made by:** Ghisler Software GmbH
- **Website:** https://www.ghisler.com
- **Runs on:** Windows, Android
- **Facts last checked:** Oct 6, 2026

## Pricing

Total Commander is a paid product with a free trial, starting at €42 one-time purchase, plus VAT where charged (Windows licence).

- **Pricing model:** Free trial
- **Free plan:** None.
- **Free trial:** 30-day test period with the fully functional shareware version for Windows.

| Plan | Price | What you get |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Total Commander for Android | €0 | Freeware app for smartphones and tablets running Android 2.2 or newer. |
| Total Commander for Windows | €42 one-time purchase per user, plus VAT where charged | Registration key for the Windows version. One licence covers one person on any number of computers, and updates are free until further notice. |

Read from https://www.ghisler.com/order.htm on Oct 6, 2026. Prices change, so confirm with Total Commander before buying.

## Ways to pay less

- **Student and pupil licence for €31.50** (Education): Students and pupils pay EUR 31.50 plus VAT, down from EUR 42, after emailing proof of study to get a rebate code. The licence is issued in the student's own name. Source: https://www.ghisler.com/order.htm
- **Licence with no time limit and free updates** (Lifetime license): Single- and multi-user licences are valid for an unlimited time. The vendor says all updates have been free for registered users since version 1.0, until further notice. Source: https://www.ghisler.com/efaqorder.htm

## Key features

- **Two file windows side by side:** Shows two file panels next to each other for copying and moving between folders, with a tabbed interface, history and favorites buttons, thumbnails view and custom columns.
- **Archive handling:** Packs and unpacks files, with handling for ZIP, 7ZIP, ARJ, LZH, RAR, UC2, TAR, GZ, CAB and ACE archives and further formats through plugins.
- **Built-in FTP client:** Connects to FTP servers with FTPS (encrypted FTP) and HTTP proxy support, and includes a password manager for FTP and plugin connections.
- **Compare and synchronize:** Compares files by content in a compare editor and synchronizes directories, including empty ones.
- **Multi-rename tool and search:** Renames many files in one operation, and offers an enhanced search function, regular expressions and a quick file filter on Ctrl+S.
- **Quick View panel:** A Quick View panel previews the selected file inside the program, including image and video display.

## Good for

- Windows users who manage many files and prefer two panels to Explorer
- People who want FTP, archive handling and file comparison in one program
- Companies that want concurrent-use licences not tied to single computers

## Worth knowing

- The Windows version is shareware: after 30 days you must order a licence (€42 plus VAT where charged) or delete the program.
- There is no native Mac or Linux version. The vendor suggests a Windows emulator on a Mac and says it runs on Linux with Wine.
- The price is set in euros and charged by an EU payment processor; the vendor warns of a possible 1-2.5% processing fee from your bank.
- The registration key is not instant: the order page says to allow about 1-2 business days for delivery.

**Tags:** File management, File compression, One-time purchase

## Alternatives

- [Directory Opus](https://toolgpa.com/tools/directory-opus): Highly configurable file manager that replaces Windows Explorer. [Compare](https://toolgpa.com/compare/directory-opus-vs-total-commander)
- [Files](https://toolgpa.com/tools/files): Open-source file manager for Windows with tabs and dual pane. [Compare](https://toolgpa.com/compare/files-vs-total-commander)
- [ForkLift](https://toolgpa.com/tools/forklift): Dual-pane file manager and file transfer client for macOS. [Compare](https://toolgpa.com/compare/forklift-vs-total-commander)
- [Path Finder](https://toolgpa.com/tools/path-finder): Dual-pane file manager for Mac, built as a Finder alternative. [Compare](https://toolgpa.com/compare/path-finder-vs-total-commander)

## Sources

The prices, plans, platforms and features above were read from these pages on Oct 6, 2026:

- https://www.ghisler.com/
- https://www.ghisler.com/order.htm
- https://www.ghisler.com/online1.htm
- https://www.ghisler.com/download.htm
- https://www.ghisler.com/ce.htm
- https://www.ghisler.com/efaqorder.htm
- https://www.ghisler.com/efaqgeneral.htm

Page: https://toolgpa.com/tools/total-commander
Listed by ToolGPA (toolgpa.com).