The Total Commander Insider’s Guide
Everything we know about Total Commander 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.
Total Commander
The Insider’s Guide
Two-pane file manager for Windows with FTP and archive tools
Every plan, grade, refund rule and rival among desktop utilities, read from Total Commander’s own pages.
Made by Ghisler Software GmbH · checked Oct 6, 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 Total Commander’s own pages, its app-store listings and our grades. Every fact in it is on Total Commander’s page too, where it is kept up to date. Checked Oct 6, 2026.
Part 01 · Overview
Welcome
What it is, who it suits, its grades and the ten things to know first
2.8
GPA, above 57 of the 94 other desktop utilities we grade
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.
To get you started, here are 9 things to know about Total Commander, taken from its own pages and our grades.
Two folders sit side by side, with an FTP client, archive packing, file comparison, directory sync and bulk renaming in the same program.
- 1
Best for two-pane file wrangling on Windows
Total Commander is a two-pane file manager for Windows.
- 2
What it costs
Paid plans start at €42 one-time purchase, plus VAT where charged (Windows licence).
- 3
You can try it first
30-day test period with the fully functional shareware version for Windows
- 4
It runs on 2 platforms
Windows and Android.
- 5
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.
- 6
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.
- 7
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.
- 8
A 2.8 GPA, above 57 of 94
That is against the other desktop utilities we grade, on value, the free plan, features, ease of use and platforms.
- 9
Keep it
The plain part of Total Commander you could make: file compression. What surrounds it you could not. The 3 things listed below take a company, not a weekend.
Total Commander at a glance
- Pricing
- Free trial, from €42 one-time purchase, plus VAT where charged (Windows licence)
- Free plan
- No
- Free trial
- 30-day test period with the fully functional shareware version for Windows
- Runs on
- Windows, Android
- Made by
- Ghisler Software GmbH
- Category
- Desktop Utilities
- Our grade
- 2.8 GPA, good
The report card
Best for two-pane file wrangling on Windows
Total Commander is a two-pane file manager for Windows. Two folders sit side by side, with an FTP client, archive packing, file comparison, directory sync and bulk renaming in the same program. What holds it back: the Windows version is shareware, so after 30 days you pay €42 plus VAT or delete it, the key can take 1-2 business days to arrive, and there's no native Mac or Linux version.
| Subject | Grade | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Value for money | B | €42 once per user, plus VAT where charged. That's a one-off under two years of what a paid utility here costs monthly, and one licence covers you on any number of computers with updates free until further notice. |
| Free plan and trial | C | No free version on Windows. You get a 30-day test period with the full shareware build and no card needed, then you order a licence or delete it. The Android app is freeware, but that isn't the main event. |
| Features | B | Two panels with tabs, packing and unpacking of ZIP, 7ZIP, RAR and TAR, an FTP client with FTPS, compare by content, directory sync, multi-rename and a Quick View panel. The file manager job is covered end to end, and so it is by Directory Opus and ForkLift. |
| Ease of use | B | No store rating on record. Install it and two panels sit side by side, which is the whole idea and easy enough to follow. Buying is the slow part: the order page says to allow about 1-2 business days for the key. |
| Platforms and integrations | B | Windows, plus a freeware app for Android phones and tablets. No native Mac or Linux version at all, the vendor pointing you at an emulator or Wine, and no integrations or API listed. |
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 Total Commander is for
- Fits if you manage a lot of files on Windows and want two panels instead of Explorer
- Works for people who want FTP, archives and file comparison in one program, paid for once
Who it is not for
- Skip it if you're on a Mac or Linux, as there's no native version and the vendor points you to an emulator or Wine
- Not for you if you want a free file manager on Windows, since the shareware runs 30 days, then it's €42 or delete it
- Tight if you need the key today, because the order page says to allow about 1-2 business days
- Watch out: the price is in euros through an EU payment processor, and your bank may add a 1-2.5% fee
- Skip it if you want it wired into other apps, as no integrations or API are listed
Good to know
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.
Part 02 · Pricing
What it costs
Every plan, the free plan, ways to pay less and how prices have moved
€42 one-time
To start
Total Commander is a paid product with a free trial, starting at €42 one-time purchase, plus VAT where charged (Windows licence).
The Android app is freeware, but that isn't the main event.
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.
Trying it first
30-day test period with the fully functional shareware version for Windows
Read from ghisler.com on Oct 6, 2026.
Ways to pay less
Education
Student and pupil licence for €31.50
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.
Stated on ghisler.comLifetime license
Licence with no time limit and free updates
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.
Stated on ghisler.com
Part 03 · Features
What it does
Its main features, where it runs, what it works with and who makes it
2
Places it runs: Windows and Android
Two-pane file manager for Windows with FTP and archive tools. Here is what it does, as its own site describes it, and what it covers: one-time purchase, file management, file compression.
The file manager job is covered end to end, and so it is by Directory Opus and ForkLift.
- 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.
Where it runs
- Windows
- Android
What it works with
Its own pages name no integrations.
Total Commander is made by Ghisler Software GmbH.
Part 04 · Standing
Where it stands
Its grades against its category, and whether to keep it or make your own
57/94
Other desktop utilities it is graded above
Total Commander's GPA of 2.8 is higher than 57 of the 94 other desktop utilities we grade, and level with 26.
It stands best on platforms and integrations (B, above 86 of 94) and worst on free plan and trial (C, above 4).
Each grade against the category
Every bar is all 95 desktop utilities we grade, cut by the letter each got. Total Commander’s own letter is outlined.
- BValue for moneyAbove 12 of 94
- CFree plan and trialAbove 4 of 94
- BFeaturesAbove 72 of 94
- BEase of useAbove 33 of 94
- BPlatforms and integrationsAbove 86 of 94
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
The plain part of Total Commander you could make: file compression. What surrounds it you could not. The 3 things listed below take a company, not a weekend.
It costs $47.07, paid once.
What you could make
- File compression: an app builder makes this well.
What you could not
- A file manager working directly on your disk.
- Apps for Windows and Android that stay in step with each other.
- The depth: we grade its features B, which means it covers the whole job.
What this rests on. Total Commander’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
Directory Opus, Files, ForkLift and Path Finder
The 4 tools Total Commander is most often weighed against, with where each one differs from it.
- 2.2GPA
Directory Opus
Free trial · from $89 one-time
Highly configurable file manager that replaces Windows Explorer.
- Only Total Commander lists an Android app.
- 2.8GPA
Files
Free plan · from $12.99 one-time
Open-source file manager for Windows with tabs and dual pane.
- Files has a free plan. Total Commander does not, though it has a free trial.
- Only Total Commander lists an Android app.
- Total Commander can be bought with a one-time purchase.
- 2.6GPA
ForkLift
Free trial · from $19.95 one-time
Dual-pane file manager and file transfer client for macOS.
- Only Total Commander lists Windows and Android apps.
- Only ForkLift lists a macOS app.
- Total Commander also covers file compression.
- 2.2GPA
Path Finder
Free trial · from $2.95/mo
Dual-pane file manager for Mac, built as a Finder alternative.
- Only Total Commander lists Windows and Android apps.
- Only Path Finder lists a macOS app.
- Total Commander 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
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 Total Commander free?
No, Total Commander is a paid product, but you can try it first. 30-day test period with the fully functional shareware version for Windows.
How much does Total Commander cost?
Total Commander lists 2 plans. Total Commander for Android: €0.
What platforms does Total Commander work on?
Total Commander is available on Windows and Android.
Does Total Commander offer any discounts?
Total Commander publicly lists the following: Student and pupil licence for €31.50; Licence with no time limit and free updates.
Does Total Commander have an iPhone app?
No iPhone app was listed when its pages were read on Oct 6, 2026. Total Commander is listed for Windows and Android.
Does Total Commander have a macOS app?
No macOS app was listed when its pages were read on Oct 6, 2026. Total Commander is listed for Windows and Android.
Is Total Commander open source?
Total Commander is not described as open source on its own site, as read on Oct 6, 2026.
Does Total Commander have a student discount?
Student and pupil licence for €31.50. Students and pupils pay EUR 31.50 plus VAT, down from EUR 42, after emailing proof of study to get a rebate code.
Who makes Total Commander?
Total Commander is made by Ghisler Software GmbH.
What are the alternatives to Total Commander?
The closest alternatives to Total Commander in our directory are Directory Opus, Files, ForkLift and Path Finder.
How does Total Commander compare with other desktop utilities?
Total Commander's GPA of 2.8 is higher than 57 of the 94 other desktop utilities we grade, and level with 26.
Could I make my own version of Total Commander?
The plain part of Total Commander you could make: file compression. What surrounds it you could not.
Where this guide comes from
The prices, plans, platforms and features were read from Total Commander’s own pages on Oct 6, 2026, and the grades were given on Oct 10, 2026. Graded from this listing, whose facts were read from Ghisler Software's own pages on 6 October 2026. Also tested with a demo account on 2026-08-02.
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 Ghisler Software GmbH. Prices change, so check ghisler.com before you buy.
Part 07 · About
About ToolGPA
Who made this guide, what else is on the site, and how to cite it
3,189
Tools graded, in 94 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.
3,189
tools graded
94
categories
426
price changes on record
579
apps priced in 12 countries
What else is on toolgpa.com
- Total Commander, kept up to dateEverything in this guide, with prices and grades as they are todaytoolgpa.com/tools/total-commander
- 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, "Total Commander: The Insider's Guide", checked Oct 6, 2026. https://toolgpa.com/tools/total-commander
Know someone choosing between desktop utilities?
Send them this guide: toolgpa.com/tools/total-commander/guide
ToolGPA elsewhere: youtube.com/@toolgpa
See our other guides
The best-graded desktop utilities after Total Commander, each with an Insider's Guide of its own.
- Desktop Utilities Insider's GuideEvery one of the 95 desktop utilities we grade, compared
- LocalSend Insider's GuideOpen-source file sharing between nearby devices, no cloud3.2 GPA
- Ninite Insider's GuideInstalls and updates many Windows apps at once3.2 GPA
- 7-Zip Insider's GuideFree, open-source file archiver with the 7z format3.0 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 Total Commander’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. Total Commander is a trademark of its owner, and this guide is not made, paid for or approved by Ghisler Software GmbH. Prices and plans change: check ghisler.com before you buy.