Filestash From $50/mo · Free plan 9.4 Visit 
Midnight Commander
midnight-commander.org
What it is
Midnight Commander is a full-screen file manager with a dual-pane text interface. It can copy, move, and delete files or directory trees, search for files, and run commands in a subshell. An internal viewer, editor, and diff viewer provide tools for inspecting and editing files within the program.
It runs in a regular console or an X Window terminal, and can also be used over SSH and in remote shells. Its virtual filesystem connects to FTP and shell-based remote filesystems; SFTP support depends on compilation with sftpfs. The tar filesystem provides read-only access to tar and compressed tar archives, and scripts can extend the virtual filesystem. Users can choose included skins or create their own.
The project is free software under the GNU General Public License, with a plan listed at free. It supports Linux and macOS. The project recommends system package managers and lists installation options for Debian/Ubuntu, Fedora/Red Hat, FreeBSD/OpenBSD, and macOS. Documentation centers on context-sensitive F1 help and manual pages.
Spec sheet
- Supported platforms
- linux,macosRead 20 Sep 2026 · midnight-commander.org
- Free plan
- YesRead 20 Sep 2026 · midnight-commander.org
- Support
- Project communication is primarily through mailing lists, with GitHub Discussions and an issue tracker also available.Read 7 Oct 2026 · midnight-commander.org
- License
- The project says it is released under the GNU General Public License and qualifies as Free Software.Read 7 Oct 2026 · midnight-commander.org
- Archive support
- YesRead 20 Sep 2026 · midnight-commander.org
- Archives
- Its tar filesystem provides read-only access to tar and compressed tar archives.Read 7 Oct 2026 · source.midnight-commander.org
- Batch rename
- YesRead 20 Sep 2026 · midnight-commander.org
- Built-in tools
- It includes an internal file viewer, editor, and diff viewer.Read 7 Oct 2026 · midnight-commander.org
- Documentation
- The project identifies context-sensitive F1 help and manual pages as its primary official documentation.Read 7 Oct 2026 · midnight-commander.org
- Dual-pane layout
- YesRead 20 Sep 2026 · midnight-commander.org
- Extensibility
- An external virtual filesystem can add features and file types through scripts.Read 7 Oct 2026 · source.midnight-commander.org
- File manager
- Midnight Commander is a visual, dual-pane, full-screen text-mode file manager.Read 7 Oct 2026 · midnight-commander.org
- File operations
- It can copy, move, and delete files and directory trees, search for files, and execute commands in a subshell.Read 7 Oct 2026 · midnight-commander.org
- Installation
- The project recommends system package managers and lists Debian/Ubuntu, Fedora/Red Hat, FreeBSD/OpenBSD, and macOS installation options.Read 7 Oct 2026 · midnight-commander.org
- Project history
- The maintainers page says the project was founded around 1994 by Miguel de Icaza and is maintained by a team.Read 7 Oct 2026 · midnight-commander.org
- Remote filesystems
- Its virtual filesystem supports FTP and shell connections, and supports SFTP when compiled with sftpfs.Read 7 Oct 2026 · source.midnight-commander.org
- Support limits
- The project says volunteer maintainers do not provide an entitlement to commercial-grade support, service-level agreements, or warranties.Read 7 Oct 2026 · midnight-commander.org
- Terminal access
- It works in a regular console, an X Window terminal, over SSH, and in remote shells.Read 7 Oct 2026 · midnight-commander.org
- Themes
- Midnight Commander supports skins included with the distribution or created by users.Read 7 Oct 2026 · midnight-commander.org
Plans and prices
GNU Midnight Commander Free GNU General Public License · free software Read 7 Oct 2026 · midnight-commander.org
Strong points and limits
Strong points
- Dual-pane interface supports file and directory operations.
- Includes an internal viewer, editor, and diff viewer.
- Works over SSH and in remote shells.
- Tar and compressed tar archives are accessible read-only.
- Free under the GNU General Public License.
Limits
- SFTP requires compilation with sftpfs.
- Volunteer maintainers do not provide commercial-grade support or warranties.
Who it suits
It suits people who prefer a text-mode file manager and need file operations in local consoles, terminals, or remote shells. FTP and shell connections are supported, with SFTP conditional on the build.
Verdict
Midnight Commander provides file management and built-in inspection tools in a terminal-oriented interface. Its remote SFTP support depends on compilation, and project support does not include commercial-grade service guarantees.
Where Specifiction places it
- File Manager Software#11 of 1008.5
- File managers#16 of 298.1
- Terminal File Managers#17 of 298.1
