Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Broot VS lf (file manager)

Compare Broot VS lf (file manager) and see what are their differences

Broot logo Broot

Commandline app to simplify directory navigation.

lf (file manager) logo lf (file manager)

Terminal file manager written in Go (programming language).
  • Broot Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-09-30
  • lf (file manager) Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-10-04

Broot features and specs

  • Interactive Interface
    Broot provides an intuitive and interactive text-based interface, making it easier for users to navigate directories and manage files visually within the terminal.
  • Speed and Efficiency
    Designed to be fast and efficient, Broot helps users quickly locate files and directories, even in large and complex directory structures.
  • Search and Filter Capabilities
    Users can perform refined searches and apply filters to narrow down file viewing, which is particularly useful when dealing with expansive file systems.
  • Cross-Platform Availability
    Broot is available on multiple platforms including Linux, macOS, and Windows, making it accessible to a wide range of users across different environments.
  • Customization and Extensibility
    Broot supports various configurations and the ability to integrate with other tools, allowing users to tailor it to their specific needs.

Possible disadvantages of Broot

  • Learning Curve
    New users might face a steep learning curve to understand all the functionalities and commands to use Broot effectively.
  • Limited Documentation
    While there is documentation available, some users might find it insufficient for understanding advanced features and integrations.
  • Terminal-Only
    As a terminal-based tool, it doesn't provide a graphical user interface which might be a downside for users preferring GUI-based file managers.
  • Dependency on Rust
    Since Broot is built with Rust, users must install Rust or its dependencies which could be a barrier for those not already utilizing Rust environments.
  • Partial Shell Integration
    Although it offers shell integration, there might be limitations in seamlessness or functionality, compared to traditional shell commands.

lf (file manager) features and specs

  • Speed
    Being a terminal-based file manager, lf is fast and snappy, providing swift navigation and file manipulation compared to GUI-based file managers.
  • Minimalistic Design
    With its simple and minimal interface, lf is less distracting and allows users to focus more on managing files effectively without unnecessary bells and whistles.
  • Keyboard-driven
    Offers efficient, keyboard-driven navigation and file management, increasing productivity for users comfortable with mouse-less interaction.
  • Configurable
    Highly configurable with the ability to customize key bindings, appearance, and integrate with external tools, making it adaptable to various workflows.
  • Cross-platform
    Available on multiple operating systems, including Unix-like systems and Windows, providing a consistent experience across different environments.
  • Vi-like Key Bindings
    Supports vi-like key bindings by default, which can be appealing to users familiar with the vi or vim editors who can extend their keyboard proficiency to file management.

Possible disadvantages of lf (file manager)

  • Steep Learning Curve
    The reliance on keyboard input and lack of graphical user interface elements can be difficult for users unfamiliar with terminal-based applications.
  • Limited Functionality
    May lack out-of-the-box features found in some GUI file managers, such as drag-and-drop support, thumbnail previews, and built-in synchronization capabilities.
  • Dependency on Terminal
    Since lf runs within a terminal, users must be comfortable navigating and operating within a terminal environment, which might not be ideal for everyone.
  • No Built-in Viewer
    Lf doesn't offer a built-in file viewer, requiring users to configure and rely on external programs to open or preview files, adding an extra configuration step.
  • Customization Required
    While lf is highly configurable, it requires users to spend time and effort in setting up custom configurations to tailor it to their specific needs.

Broot videos

Broot: An Innovative Way To View Your Linux File System

More videos:

lf (file manager) videos

No lf (file manager) videos yet. You could help us improve this page by suggesting one.

Add video

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Broot and lf (file manager))
FTP Client
25 25%
75% 75
File Manager
25 25%
75% 75
Robo-Advisor
28 28%
72% 72
File Explorer
34 34%
66% 66

User comments

Share your experience with using Broot and lf (file manager). For example, how are they different and which one is better?
Log in or Post with

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, lf (file manager) should be more popular than Broot. It has been mentiond 65 times since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

Broot mentions (15)

  • Show HN
    Well done! Reminds me of broot (https://dystroy.org/broot/). - Source: Hacker News / 6 months ago
  • Superfile – A fancy, petty terminal file manager
    I personally use broot[1] to achieve something similar. I’ve you open two panes, you can copy or move items between them. I also sometimes use it as a pseudo IDE. [1]: https://dystroy.org/broot. - Source: Hacker News / 12 months ago
  • Exa Is Deprecated
    Https://dystroy.org/broot/ You can use it just like the original tree tool too: https://dystroy.org/broot/tricks/#replace-tree (disclaimer: broot author). - Source: Hacker News / over 1 year ago
  • What’s everyone working on this week (1/2023)?
    I'll add the long awaited support for nushell in broot. Source: over 2 years ago
  • A list of new(ish) command line tools – Julia Evans
    Broot has many features that feel natural... When you know they exist (for example, try looking for what's taking space with `br -w` then stage the files and remove them at the end). I suggest everyone to have at least a short glance at the introduction at https://dystroy.org/broot/. - Source: Hacker News / about 3 years ago
View more

lf (file manager) mentions (65)

View more

What are some alternatives?

When comparing Broot and lf (file manager), you can also consider the following products

nnn - Fast and resource-sensitive file manager for the terminal

ranger - The most up-to-date breaking news for the New York Rangers including highlights, roster, schedule, scores and archives.

CliFM - CliFM is a completely CLI-based, shell-like and KISS file manager written in C: simple, fast, and lightweight as hell.

Midnight Commander - GNU Midnight Commander is a visual file manager, licensed under GNU General Public License and...

xplr - Fast and hackable file manager for the terminal.

Starship (Shell Prompt) - Starship is the minimal, blazing fast, and extremely customizable prompt for any shell! Shows the information you need, while staying sleek and minimal. Quick installation available for Bash, Fish, ZSH, Ion, and Powershell.