Overview

reNamerX is a desktop utility for applying repeatable naming rules to batches of files. It suits people who want more than basic find-and-replace across Linux, macOS or Windows. Its combination of flexible rules, preview and undo makes it a sensible free option, but it does not rename folders.

Key features

Rules span text operations, case changes and sequential numbering, with regular expressions for more complex transformations. Metadata such as creation date and file size can also inform filenames, and date and time insertion and reusable presets are covered in the guide. That range should suit recurring cleanup as well as more tailored naming jobs; presets are particularly useful when the same scheme comes around again.

A live preview shows the proposed filenames before changes are applied, and batch operations can be undone with Ctrl+Z; redo is also available. Those safeguards are valuable when applying consistent rules to hundreds of files. Browse Files selects individual items, while Browse Folder selects files in a directory. That folder-based selection does not extend to renaming folders themselves, so users who need directory renaming should look elsewhere.

The interface supports dark and cyberpunk themes. These offer a choice of appearance, rather than a different set of renaming capabilities.

Pricing

The Free plan is free. It is an MIT-licensed desktop batch renaming tool, making it a straightforward fit for personal or commercial use without a purchase. No paid tier is described; the practical trade-off is that folder renaming is not part of the feature set.

Platforms

reNamerX runs on Linux, macOS and Windows. Windows installation requires Windows 10 or newer, a 64-bit operating system and at least 50MB of free disk space; 4GB of RAM is recommended. The repository offers Windows MSI and EXE installers. Building from source requires Node.js 16 or newer, npm or yarn, Rust and Cargo, and Git, so that route is better suited to people comfortable with a development toolchain. Installation guidance sends users with problems to open an issue on GitHub.

Who it's for

Choose reNamerX if you need to transform many filenames with rules that go beyond simple text edits, want a preview before committing changes, or need a free desktop tool across the three major desktop platforms. Its metadata support and presets serve repeatable, more elaborate workflows; its preview and undo are useful counterweights to the risk of applying a rule at scale. It is a poor fit if renaming folders is essential.

Pros and cons

Pros: Regex, metadata, date and time insertion, and reusable presets allow more tailored rules than basic text and case changes alone.
Pros: Live preview plus undo and redo provide a way to review and recover from batch changes.
Pros: The free MIT-licensed app supports Linux, macOS and Windows.
Cons: It renames files, not folders, despite allowing selection of files from a directory.
Cons: Windows users need a 64-bit Windows 10-or-newer system and at least 50MB of disk space.

Alternatives

File Renaming Software is a broader directory for comparing tools in this category.

Nomina is another free option for Linux, macOS and Windows, with no paid plans or usage limits stated.

PBRenamer is also free across Linux, macOS and Windows, and is distributed under GPL-3.0.

RenameKit may suit readers who prefer a 3-day full-feature trial before buying: its lifetime license costs 9.99 USD per once, then limits batches to 20 items and one device at a time, though the license is transferable.

Bulk Renamer is another free MIT-licensed option; it requires no account and has no trial or watermark.

Transnomino is a free batch renamer for Mac; version 10.1.0 requires macOS 14 or later.

Ant Renamer is a free Windows program with source code available.

ReNamer offers a free non-commercial Lite version capped at five rules and five presets, or a Pro license for 29.95 USD per once.

Advanced Renamer supports macOS and Windows; its Free plan allows 10,000 files and five methods per batch, while Personal has unlimited files and methods per batch with custom pricing.

Verdict

reNamerX is a strong fit for anyone who wants a free, cross-platform file renamer with regex and metadata rules, reusable presets, and safeguards before and after a batch. Its chief limitation is decisive for some workflows: it cannot rename folders. Choose it for controlled file-batch work; look elsewhere when folder renaming is a requirement.

	Rename Expert	reNamerX
Free plan	No	Yes
Free trial	Yes
Paid from		Free
Platforms	Windows	Linux, macOS, Windows
Free plan	No	Yes
Platform coverage	windows_only	multi_platform
Regex renaming	Yes	Yes
Metadata-based renaming	Yes	Yes
Rename preview	Yes	Yes
Folder renaming	Yes	No
Undo changes	Yes	Yes

Rename Expert vs reNamerX

Rename Expert

reNamerX