{
    "products": [
        {
            "slug": "files-app",
            "name": "Files",
            "kind": "app",
            "website": "https://files.community/",
            "page": "https://listme.name/software/files-app",
            "tagline": "Free open-source file manager for Windows with tabs and file tags",
            "summary": "Files is a free, open-source file manager for Windows with tabs, file tags and a modern interface. The Files Community, a group of contributors on GitHub, maintains it under the MIT license.",
            "developer": "Files Community",
            "platforms": [
                "windows"
            ],
            "pricing": "open-source",
            "price_note": "Free and open source; maintained by community contributors",
            "free_to_use": true,
            "open_source": true,
            "license": "MIT",
            "source": "https://github.com/files-community/Files",
            "strengths": [
                "Free and open source under the MIT license",
                "Tabs for multitasking in one window"
            ],
            "limits": [
                "Windows only",
                "Support runs through community channels"
            ],
            "checked": "2026-10-10",
            "connected_to_publisher": false,
            "overview": "Files is a file manager for Windows that aims to replace the default File Explorer experience. Its main features are tabs for multitasking, file tags and a modern interface. The project describes its goal as building the best file manager for Windows, and it is developed in the open by contributors on GitHub.\n\nThe repository includes an MIT license file and an MPL-2.0 license file, and the project calls itself free and open source software. Because it is a community project, support runs through its documentation, its issue tracker and its community channels. The app runs on Windows only, so it does not cover macOS or Linux."
        },
        {
            "slug": "nautilus",
            "name": "Nautilus",
            "kind": "app",
            "website": "https://apps.gnome.org/Nautilus/",
            "page": "https://listme.name/software/nautilus",
            "tagline": "Default file manager of the GNOME desktop, also called Files",
            "summary": "Nautilus, which GNOME calls Files, is the default file manager of the GNOME desktop. It searches local and network files, handles removable media and runs scripts, with icon grid, icon list and tree list views.",
            "developer": "GNOME Project",
            "platforms": [
                "linux"
            ],
            "pricing": "open-source",
            "price_note": "Free and open source; install from Flathub",
            "free_to_use": true,
            "open_source": true,
            "license": "GPL-3.0-or-later",
            "source": "https://apps.gnome.org/Nautilus/",
            "strengths": [
                "Default file manager of the GNOME desktop",
                "Plugins and scripts extend its functions"
            ],
            "limits": [
                "Runs on Linux only",
                "Single-pane layout, unlike dual-panel managers"
            ],
            "checked": "2026-10-10",
            "connected_to_publisher": false,
            "overview": "Nautilus is the default file manager on the GNOME desktop, and the GNOME project now names it Files. It handles the basic work of a file manager: it searches and manages files and folders, reads and writes data on removable media, and browses locations on the network. It offers three views, icon grid, icon list and tree list, and its functions can be extended with plugins and scripts.\n\nNautilus is a single-pane manager, so people who want two folders side by side need another app. Its simple layout suits users who want a plain file browser that matches the rest of GNOME. It runs on Linux only. The app is licensed under GPL-3.0-or-later, and users can install the latest version from Flathub."
        }
    ],
    "differences": [
        "Only Files runs on Windows.",
        "Only Nautilus runs on Linux."
    ],
    "shared_rankings": [
        {
            "list": "file-managers",
            "name": "File managers",
            "page": "https://listme.name/best/file-managers",
            "of": 10,
            "results": [
                {
                    "product": "files-app",
                    "rank": 7,
                    "score": 84.5,
                    "verdict": "A free, open-source Windows file manager with tabs, file tags and a modern interface. Its Windows-only focus and community-run support make it a narrower choice than the paid Windows managers above.",
                    "best_for": "Free modern file management on Windows with tags",
                    "spec": {
                        "layout": "Single pane with tabs",
                        "platforms": "Windows",
                        "open_source": true,
                        "cost": "Free"
                    }
                },
                {
                    "product": "nautilus",
                    "rank": 8,
                    "score": 82,
                    "verdict": "The default file manager of the GNOME desktop, simple and well integrated, with icon grid, list and tree views. It has no dual-panel mode and runs on Linux only.",
                    "best_for": "GNOME desktop users who want a simple default manager",
                    "spec": {
                        "layout": "Single pane",
                        "platforms": "Linux",
                        "open_source": true,
                        "cost": "Free"
                    }
                }
            ]
        }
    ],
    "ranks_higher_in_closest_shared_list": "files-app",
    "page": "https://listme.name/compare/files-app-vs-nautilus",
    "json": "https://listme.name/api/v1/compare/files-app-vs-nautilus.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"
}