Dolphin vs Sally
Dolphin
apps.kde.orgSally
github.comSide by side
| Figure | Dolphin | Sally |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | Free |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | Yes | — |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| Linux | Yes | Yes |
| Plans published | 1 | 1 |
| Spec score · File Manager Software | 8.8 (#3) | 7.9 (#44) |
| Archive support | Yes | Yes |
| Downloads | The page lists Linux installation through AppStream stores or distribution package managers, a Flathub download, and nightly Flatpak and Windows installers for testing. | Releases include runtime ZIPs for x64, x86, and ARM64, plus separate debug-symbol ZIPs. |
| Dual-pane view | Yes | Yes |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| License | The Dolphin page lists the license as GPL-2.0-or-later. | The project identifies Sally as modified Open Salamander software licensed under GPLv2. |
| Supported platforms | linux,windows | Windows |
| Support | The product page links to the Dolphin Handbook and KDE forum for help, and to bug reporting and source code pages. | The maintainer invites bug reports, focused testing, translation help, feature requests, and donations. |
| Terminal | An integrated terminal can run commands in the current folder. | Sally can launch Windows Terminal profiles, including PowerShell, WSL distributions, and Command Prompt, in the active panel’s folder. |
Plans
In their own words
Dolphin
Dolphin is KDE’s file manager for browsing and managing files on local storage, including hard drives, USB sticks and SD cards, as well as remote machines and internet cloud services. It supports creating, moving, deleting, compressing, sharing and duplicating files and folders. Multiple tabs let users work in several folders, while split view supports drag-and-drop copying or moving between panes. Choose among grid, detailed and tree views, and configure most of the application’s behavior. The right-click menu supports custom actions. An integrated terminal runs commands in the current folder. Plugins extend workflows with Git and Nextcloud, while listed extensions cover services such as Google Drive, Amazon S3 and Samba. Dolphin is free and open source under GPL-2.0-or-later. Linux installation is available through AppStream stores or distribution package managers, and Flathub is listed. Windows installers are available as nightly builds for testing. KDE links to a handbook, forum, bug reporting and source code for support and contribution.