Best pointer Alternatives in 2026
Updated
20 tools from terminal file managers ranked against pointer on the same published basis.
- 1pointer vs FileManagerTUI
- 2pointer vs nnn
- 3pointer vs Rat Commander
- 4pointer vs Newt
- 5pointer vs superfile
- 6pointer vs Broot
- 7pointer vs far2l
- 8pointer vs Clifm
- 10pointer vs Runa
- 11pointer vs Zeta
- 12pointer vs FModel
- 13pointer vs Deepfence SecretScanner
- 14pointer vs xplr
- 15pointer vs elio
- 16pointer vs Termix
- 17pointer vs Middle Manager
- 18pointer vs TUIFIManager
- 19pointer vs UnixTree
- 20pointer vs Vifm
- 21pointer vs Yazi
pointer alternatives compared
| # | Tool | Score | Free plan | From | Runs on |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | FileManagerTUI | 7.3 | Free plan | Free | Linux, Mac, Windows |
| 2 | nnn | 7.3 | Free plan | Free | Android, Linux, Mac, Windows |
| 3 | Rat Commander | 7.3 | Free plan | Free | Linux, Mac, Windows |
| 4 | Newt | 7.2 | Free plan | Free | Linux, Mac, Windows |
| 5 | superfile | 7.2 | Free plan | Free | Linux, Mac, Windows |
| 6 | Broot | 7.1 | Free plan | Free | Linux, Mac, Windows |
| 7 | far2l | 7.1 | Free plan | Free | Linux, Mac |
| 8 | Clifm | 7.0 | Free plan | Free | Android, Linux, Mac |
| 10 | Runa | 7.0 | Free plan | Free | Linux, Mac, Windows |
| 11 | Zeta | 7.0 | Free plan | Free | Linux, Mac, Windows |
| 12 | FModel | 6.7 | Free plan | Free | Windows |
| 13 | Deepfence SecretScanner | 6.5 | Free plan | Free | Linux, self-hosted |
| 14 | xplr | 6.5 | No | — | Linux, Mac |
| 15 | elio | 6.4 | No | — | Linux, Mac, Windows |
| 16 | Termix | 6.4 | No | — | Windows, Mac, Linux |
| 17 | Middle Manager | 6.2 | No | — | Mac, Linux |
| 18 | TUIFIManager | 6.2 | No | — | Windows, Mac, Linux, Android |
| 19 | UnixTree | 6.2 | No | — | Linux, Mac, Windows |
| 20 | Vifm | 6.2 | No | — | Linux, Mac, Windows |
| 21 | Yazi | 6.2 | No | — | Linux, Mac, Windows |
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Questions about pointer alternatives
What is the best alternative to pointer?
FileManagerTUI, number 1 in terminal file managers with a score of 7.3 out of 10. The others here: nnn, Rat Commander, Newt and 16 more.
What is the best free alternative to pointer?
FileManagerTUI is the best-ranked alternative with a free plan. 12 of the 20 alternatives here publish a free plan on their own pricing pages.
Is there an open-source alternative to pointer?
Yes: FileManagerTUI, Newt.
How are these alternatives ranked?
Ranked on what each maker publishes, the fullest spec sheet first: how deeply the product is documented, the platforms it runs on, a free tier or trial to test it, and its standing.