HFSExplorer vs Universal File Opener
HFSExplorer
catacombae.org
Universal File Opener
universalfileopener.comSide by side
| Figure | HFSExplorer | Universal File Opener |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | $0.83/mo |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | — | Yes |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | — | Yes |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | — |
| Linux | Yes | Yes |
| Android | — | Yes |
| Self-hosted | — | Yes |
| Plans published | 1 | 10 |
| Spec score · File Viewer Software | 7.8 (#13) | 8.7 (#1) |
| Platforms | The Windows installer is offered alongside a cross-platform ZIP distribution; the page describes ZIP use on Linux, macOS and FreeBSD. | Android and Windows are available; macOS, Linux, iPhone and iPad editions are planned without an announced release date. |
| Support | The page directs bug reports to GitHub issue tracking and discussions to GitHub discussion forums. | The maker lists [email protected] for support and says email is answered by a person. |
Plans
Universal File Opener
- FreeFree
- Android Pro monthly$1.99 a month
- Android Pro Monthly$1.99 a month
- Android Pro annual$9.99 a year
- Android Pro Annual$9.99 a year
- Android Pro lifetime$15, paid once
- Windows Pro introductory$19.99, paid once
- UFO CLI organizations up to 50 people$99 a month
- Android Pro Lifetime$5,029.99, paid once
- Windows ProPrice not published
In their own words
HFSExplorer
HFSExplorer is a free, read-only desktop program for browsing Mac-formatted hard disks and disk images on Linux, macOS, and Windows. It supports HFS, HFS+, and HFSX file systems. Its graphical browser can show volume information and extract files, and the program can create disk images. It reads most Mac.dmg and.sparsebundle images, including zlib- or bzip2-compressed images and AES-128- or AES-256-encrypted images. Supported partition schemes are Master Boot Record, GUID Partition Table, and Apple Partition Map. The listed price is free, and the software is released under GPL version 3 with no warranties. HFSExplorer requires Java SE Runtime Environment version 5.0 or later; its page says OpenJDK works. Accessing physical disks requires administrator or equivalent privileges. The page also describes a separate minimal text-mode program as unmaintained and limited to HFS+. Bug reports and discussion are directed to GitHub. The listed latest version is 2026.4.9, dated April 9, 2026.
Universal File Opener
Universal File Opener is an offline viewer and editor for supported files on Android and Windows. Its tools cover PDFs, Office documents, spreadsheets, presentations, images, archives, text, code, data, audio, and video, with available capabilities varying by platform and format. The listing includes 214 formats, archive, Office, and code previews, and in-file search. Reading supported files is free without a file-count limit, expiry, or watermark, though individual formats have size and compatibility limits. Files are processed on the device: Android does not request INTERNET permission, and the Windows app makes no network connections of its own. The apps have no advertising, app analytics, or Krauq account requirement. Android can read English text from scans using offline OCR. Files can be opened through Android sharing or file-picker features, or Windows dialogs and drag and drop; cloud providers handle their own downloads and syncing. Android Pro costs $1.99 a month or $9.99 a year. The listed lifetime option costs $5,029.99, paid once.