Tern FilesCompared with others
Five file managers, side by side.
All of them do more than File Explorer. Here is what each one offers – taken from the vendors' own pages, with links, so you can check every line.
| Tern Files | Files | OneCommander | Directory Opus | Total Commander | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | 14 days with everything, then Pro once; the file manager itself stays free | Free (installer from the website) or paid in the Microsoft Store (€15.49 / $12.99) | Free for home use; lifetime licence $30 (needed for work use, unlocks Pro features) | From AUD 89 once, incl. 1 year of updates; then optional AUD 25 per year | €42 + VAT once, all future updates included |
| Trial | 14 days, all features | In the Store | not stated | 30 days (60 after registering) | 30 days |
| Windows | 10 (2004+) and 11 | 10 (19041+) and 11 | 10 and 11 | 7 to 11 (x64) | 95 to 11 |
| ARM64 (native) | Yes | Yes | In the beta of version 4 | No | No build offered |
| Tabs | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Two panes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Archives | ZIP, 7z, RAR, TAR open like folders; edit ZIP in place with undo | Create and extract (ZIP, 7z, RAR named) | Pack and extract; no browsing inside archives | Open like folders, add to ZIP; 7z and RAR via plugin | Open like folders (ZIP, 7z, RAR, TAR and more); write ZIP |
| Preview of Office files | Text preview without Office; Office's own preview if installed | Needs QuickLook or SeerPro | In a separate preview window, not in the Store version | With suitable viewers installed (plugin) | not stated |
| Folder sizes in the list | Always, with a size bar | As an option | Yes | On request or automatically | On request (Alt+Shift+Enter) |
| Command palette | Ctrl+Shift+P, every command and setting | Ctrl+Shift+P | not stated | No list; a typed command runs from the filter field | Command browser (mainly for configuration) |
| Duplicate finder | Yes (Pro) | not stated | not stated | Yes | Yes |
| Batch rename | Yes (Pro) | not stated | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| German interface | Yes | Yes | not stated | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | No | Yes | No | No | No |
As stated on the vendors' websites and in the Microsoft Store on 6 October 2026. “Not stated” means we found no statement – not that the feature is missing. Prices change; the vendor's page counts. All names belong to their owners. Found a mistake? Write to support@ut-systems.com.
Where the others shine
- Directory Opus and Total Commander have been refined for decades and can be customised in almost every detail.
- Files is open source and can be installed for free.
- OneCommander is free for home use and has Miller columns.
When Tern Files fits
- You want it to feel like Explorer – only faster, with tabs, two panes and folder sizes from the first minute, no setup.
- You work with archives a lot: ZIP, 7z, RAR and TAR open like folders, and ZIP files can be edited with undo.
- You open Word, Excel or PowerPoint files without having Office.
- You like to work from the keyboard: every command is in the palette.
- You want a local AI that tidies up, and no account, no telemetry, no subscription.
Sources
- Files
- Files – install
- Files – command palette
- Files – folder sizes
- OneCommander
- OneCommander – pricing
- OneCommander – archives
- OneCommander – preview
- OneCommander – system requirements
- OneCommander – beta
- Directory Opus
- Directory Opus – archives
- Directory Opus – viewer pane
- Directory Opus – folder sizes
- Directory Opus – upgrade subscriptions
- Total Commander
- Total Commander – order
- Total Commander – download
- Total Commander – languages
- Total Commander – FAQ
Try it for 14 days.
Everything included, no account, no card. Afterwards Tern Files stays a complete file manager – Pro unlocks the rest once.
- Made in Austria
- No telemetry, no account
- Licence key checked offline (direct)
Pro: $17.49 once until 31 Dec 2026, then $34.99 · all 1.x updates · up to 3 PCsPro: $34.99 once · all 1.x updates · up to 3 PCs