{
    "products": [
        {
            "slug": "dolphin",
            "name": "Dolphin",
            "kind": "app",
            "website": "https://apps.kde.org/dolphin/",
            "page": "https://listme.name/software/dolphin",
            "tagline": "KDE's file manager with tabs, split views and a tree view",
            "summary": "Dolphin is KDE's free, open-source file manager for browsing hard drives, USB sticks and SD cards. It offers tabs, split views and a tree view, and it is developed by the KDE community.",
            "developer": "KDE",
            "platforms": [
                "linux",
                "windows"
            ],
            "pricing": "open-source",
            "price_note": "Free and open source; installed from Linux software stores",
            "free_to_use": true,
            "open_source": true,
            "license": "GPL-2.0-or-later",
            "source": "https://github.com/KDE/dolphin",
            "strengths": [
                "Tabs, split view and a tree view",
                "Free and open source under GPL-2.0-or-later"
            ],
            "limits": [
                "Works best with the KDE Plasma desktop",
                "Windows version is secondary to the Linux app"
            ],
            "checked": "2026-10-10",
            "connected_to_publisher": false,
            "overview": "Dolphin is the file manager of the KDE desktop and is also available as a standalone app. It browses hard drives, USB sticks and SD cards, and it supports multiple tabs and split views for working on two folders at once. You can switch between grid, detailed and tree views, and drag files between views to move or copy them.\n\nThe right-click menu includes actions to compress, share and duplicate files, and you can add your own custom actions. Dolphin also has an embedded terminal. Its source is licensed under GPL-2.0-or-later and hosted on GitHub. It fits best on a Linux desktop, where it integrates with KDE Plasma. KDE's site lists a Windows version as well, but the Linux app is the main target."
        },
        {
            "slug": "double-commander",
            "name": "Double Commander",
            "kind": "app",
            "website": "https://github.com/doublecmd/doublecmd",
            "page": "https://listme.name/software/double-commander",
            "tagline": "Free open-source two-panel file manager for Windows, Linux and macOS",
            "summary": "Double Commander is a free, open-source file manager with two file panels side by side. It runs on Windows, Linux and macOS, and its source code is published on GitHub under GPL-2.0.",
            "platforms": [
                "windows",
                "linux",
                "macos"
            ],
            "pricing": "open-source",
            "price_note": "Free and open source under GPL-2.0",
            "free_to_use": true,
            "open_source": true,
            "license": "GPL-2.0",
            "source": "https://github.com/doublecmd/doublecmd",
            "strengths": [
                "Free and open source under GPL-2.0",
                "Two panels side by side on three systems"
            ],
            "limits": [
                "Support comes from the open-source community",
                "Interface is less polished than commercial alternatives"
            ],
            "checked": "2026-10-10",
            "connected_to_publisher": false,
            "overview": "Double Commander is a file manager built around two panels that show folders side by side. You can copy, move and compare files between the panels without opening a second window. The project ships builds for Windows, Linux and macOS, and its releases page lists packages for each system.\n\nIt is the open-source option among dual-panel managers. Its source is licensed under the GNU General Public License version 2, so anyone can inspect, change and redistribute it. Commercial dual-panel managers such as Total Commander sell paid licenses with their own feature sets. Double Commander's interface and commands differ from theirs, so people switching from another dual-panel tool should expect a short adjustment period."
        }
    ],
    "differences": [
        "Only Double Commander runs on macOS."
    ],
    "shared_rankings": [
        {
            "list": "file-managers",
            "name": "File managers",
            "page": "https://listme.name/best/file-managers",
            "of": 10,
            "results": [
                {
                    "product": "dolphin",
                    "rank": 4,
                    "score": 88,
                    "verdict": "A strong pick for the KDE Plasma desktop, with tabs, split views, three view modes and an embedded terminal. It is strongest on Linux, and its Windows build plays a secondary role.",
                    "best_for": "Linux desktop users on KDE Plasma",
                    "spec": {
                        "layout": "Tabs and split view",
                        "platforms": "Linux, Windows",
                        "open_source": true,
                        "cost": "Free"
                    }
                },
                {
                    "product": "double-commander",
                    "rank": 3,
                    "score": 89.5,
                    "verdict": "The strongest free dual-panel option, with source under GPL-2.0 and builds for Windows, Linux and macOS. Its interface is less polished than Total Commander's, so expect a short adjustment period.",
                    "best_for": "Free dual-panel file management on three systems",
                    "spec": {
                        "layout": "Dual panels",
                        "platforms": "Windows, Linux, macOS",
                        "open_source": true,
                        "cost": "Free"
                    }
                }
            ]
        }
    ],
    "ranks_higher_in_closest_shared_list": "double-commander",
    "page": "https://listme.name/compare/dolphin-vs-double-commander",
    "json": "https://listme.name/api/v1/compare/dolphin-vs-double-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"
}