{
    "products": [
        {
            "slug": "directory-opus",
            "name": "Directory Opus",
            "kind": "app",
            "website": "https://www.gpsoft.com.au/",
            "page": "https://listme.name/software/directory-opus",
            "tagline": "Windows Explorer replacement with a paid one-time licence",
            "summary": "Directory Opus is a Windows file manager that its developer, GP Software, describes as a complete replacement for Explorer. It supports Windows 7 to 11 with a one-time paid licence after a 30-day trial, and ARM is not supported.",
            "developer": "GP Software",
            "platforms": [
                "windows"
            ],
            "pricing": "one-time",
            "price_note": "One-time paid licence after a 30-day trial",
            "free_to_use": false,
            "open_source": false,
            "strengths": [
                "One-time licence with free updates, per the vendor",
                "30-day trial before buying"
            ],
            "limits": [
                "Windows only, with no ARM support yet",
                "Paid after the trial"
            ],
            "checked": "2026-10-10",
            "connected_to_publisher": false,
            "overview": "Directory Opus is a Windows file manager from GP Software. Its site calls it a complete replacement for Windows Explorer, with more functions than the built-in tool, and it lists support for Windows 7, 8, 10 and 11.\n\nThe program is sold under a licence that the site says lets you use it forever, with free updates and technical support through the forum. A 30-day trial is available, and the site notes that ARM is not currently supported. Prices on the site are shown in Australian dollars, so check the local price before buying."
        },
        {
            "slug": "midnight-commander",
            "name": "Midnight Commander",
            "kind": "app",
            "website": "https://midnight-commander.org/",
            "page": "https://listme.name/software/midnight-commander",
            "tagline": "Free dual-pane file manager for the terminal",
            "summary": "Midnight Commander is a free, dual-pane file manager that runs in a text terminal on Linux, macOS and BSD systems. The project describes it as a visual, dual-pane file manager released under the GNU General Public License.",
            "platforms": [
                "linux",
                "macos",
                "cli"
            ],
            "pricing": "open-source",
            "price_note": "Free GNU GPL software installed from package managers",
            "free_to_use": true,
            "open_source": true,
            "license": "GPL",
            "source": "https://github.com/MidnightCommander/mc",
            "strengths": [
                "Free GNU GPL software, per the project site",
                "Two panes for copying and comparing files"
            ],
            "limits": [
                "Text-mode interface with a learning curve",
                "No native desktop window"
            ],
            "checked": "2026-10-10",
            "connected_to_publisher": false,
            "overview": "Midnight Commander is a full-screen, text-mode file manager with two panes, which the project describes as a visual dual-pane file manager. It is released under the GNU General Public License and qualifies as free software, according to the project's site.\n\nThe site lists installation through the system package manager on Debian, Ubuntu, Fedora, Red Hat, FreeBSD and OpenBSD, and through Homebrew or MacPorts on macOS. It suits people who work in a terminal and want two panels for copying and comparing files."
        }
    ],
    "differences": [
        "Only Directory Opus runs on Windows.",
        "Only Midnight Commander runs on macOS.",
        "Only Midnight Commander runs on Linux.",
        "Midnight Commander is open source; Directory Opus is not.",
        "Midnight Commander has a free plan or free version; Directory Opus does not.",
        "Directory Opus: one-time purchase. Midnight Commander: free and open source."
    ],
    "shared_rankings": [
        {
            "list": "file-managers",
            "name": "File managers",
            "page": "https://listme.name/best/file-managers",
            "of": 10,
            "results": [
                {
                    "product": "directory-opus",
                    "rank": 2,
                    "score": 90.5,
                    "verdict": "A paid Windows file manager that its vendor calls a complete replacement for Explorer. It uses a one-time licence after a 30-day trial, and the site notes that ARM is not currently supported.",
                    "best_for": "Windows users who want an Explorer replacement",
                    "spec": {
                        "layout": "Dual panes, dual trees and tabs",
                        "platforms": "Windows",
                        "open_source": false,
                        "cost": "One-time paid licence after trial"
                    }
                },
                {
                    "product": "midnight-commander",
                    "rank": 6,
                    "score": 86,
                    "verdict": "A free dual-pane file manager that runs in a terminal on Linux, macOS and BSD under the GNU GPL. It is the only text-mode dual-pane tool in this list, and it has no native desktop window.",
                    "best_for": "Terminal users who want two panes for copying files",
                    "spec": {
                        "layout": "Dual-pane, text mode",
                        "platforms": "Linux, macOS, BSD",
                        "open_source": true,
                        "cost": "Free"
                    }
                }
            ]
        }
    ],
    "ranks_higher_in_closest_shared_list": "directory-opus",
    "page": "https://listme.name/compare/directory-opus-vs-midnight-commander",
    "json": "https://listme.name/api/v1/compare/directory-opus-vs-midnight-commander.json",
    "notes": [
        "Scores are editorial and only comparable inside one list. Products with connected_to_publisher true receive a disclosed ranking lift: https://listme.name/methodology"
    ],
    "source": "https://listme.name",
    "license": "Free to read and cite with attribution to listme.name.",
    "docs": "https://listme.name/developers"
}