{
    "products": [
        {
            "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."
        },
        {
            "slug": "xyplorer",
            "name": "XYplorer",
            "kind": "app",
            "website": "https://www.xyplorer.com/",
            "page": "https://listme.name/software/xyplorer",
            "tagline": "Portable Windows file manager and Explorer replacement with dual panes",
            "summary": "XYplorer is a Windows file manager that replaces Windows Explorer, with dual panes, tabs and a portable version. It is sold under a paid license, and a 30-day free trial is available.",
            "platforms": [
                "windows"
            ],
            "pricing": "paid",
            "price_note": "Paid license from $34.95; 30-day free trial",
            "free_to_use": false,
            "open_source": false,
            "strengths": [
                "Portable version that runs without installation",
                "Fully functional 30-day trial"
            ],
            "limits": [
                "Paid license after the trial ends",
                "Windows only"
            ],
            "checked": "2026-10-10",
            "connected_to_publisher": false,
            "overview": "XYplorer is a file manager for Windows that its maker presents as a replacement for Explorer. It supports dual panes and multiple tabs, and it is distributed in a portable form that runs without installation. The 30-day trial is fully functional with very few limitations, and the program keeps your license and settings when you upgrade.\n\nThe license is per person and covers all of that person's computers. The Standard license costs $34.95 and never expires, with one year of free upgrades. The Lifetime license costs $69.95 and includes free upgrades indefinitely. The site lists prices in US dollars and euros. XYplorer is Windows only, so people on macOS or Linux need a different file manager."
        }
    ],
    "differences": [
        "Only XYplorer runs on Windows.",
        "Only Midnight Commander runs on macOS.",
        "Only Midnight Commander runs on Linux.",
        "Midnight Commander is open source; XYplorer is not.",
        "Midnight Commander has a free plan or free version; XYplorer does not.",
        "Midnight Commander: free and open source. XYplorer: paid."
    ],
    "shared_rankings": [
        {
            "list": "file-managers",
            "name": "File managers",
            "page": "https://listme.name/best/file-managers",
            "of": 10,
            "results": [
                {
                    "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"
                    }
                },
                {
                    "product": "xyplorer",
                    "rank": 5,
                    "score": 87,
                    "verdict": "A portable Windows replacement for Explorer with dual panes and tabs. Its trial is fully functional for 30 days, and the Standard license costs $34.95 per user.",
                    "best_for": "Windows users who want a portable dual-pane manager",
                    "spec": {
                        "layout": "Dual panels, tabs",
                        "platforms": "Windows",
                        "open_source": false,
                        "cost": "Paid, $34.95 Standard license"
                    }
                }
            ]
        }
    ],
    "ranks_higher_in_closest_shared_list": "xyplorer",
    "page": "https://listme.name/compare/midnight-commander-vs-xyplorer",
    "json": "https://listme.name/api/v1/compare/midnight-commander-vs-xyplorer.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"
}