Software Alternatives & Startups

i3 VS Solid Explorer

Compare i3 VS Solid Explorer and see what are their differences

i3

A dynamic tiling window manager designed for X11, inspired by wmii, and written in C.

Rating
0 reviews
Pricing
Open source
Solid Explorer

Solid Explorer is a powerful Android file manager featuring access to most popular cloud storages, root access and easy extensibility.

Rating
0 reviews
Note: These products don't have any matching categories. If you think this is a mistake, please edit the details of one of the products and suggest appropriate categories.

Which is more popular?

Based on our record, i3 seems to be a lot more popular than Solid Explorer. While we know about 93 links to i3, we've tracked only 1 mention of Solid Explorer.

social mentions
93 vs 1
Window Manager popularity
100% vs 0%
alternatives listed
112 vs 110

Base details

Website, pricing, platforms and company facts side by side.

i3
Solid Explorer
Website i3wm.org neatbytes.com
Pricing
Open source
—
Listed in

Features and specs

What each product offers, as listed by its team.

i3 6 features
Solid Explorer 6 features
  • Efficient Window Management
    i3 allows for highly efficient window management using a tree data structure, making it easy to snap windows into grids and manage multiple applications simultaneously.
  • Lightweight
    i3 is deliberately simplistic and lightweight, which allows it to run efficiently on older hardware or systems with limited resources.
  • Customizability
    Users can extensively customize keybindings and behavior through a plain text configuration file. This allows for a personalized workflow.
  • Keyboard-Centric
    i3 is designed to be used primarily through keyboard shortcuts, which can lead to increased productivity for advanced users.
  • Scriptability
    i3 supports various scripting languages through its IPC (Inter-process Communication) interface, enabling automation of complex workflows.
  • Community and Documentation
    i3 has strong community support and extensive documentation, making it easier for new users to learn and troubleshoot issues.

Possible disadvantages

  • Steep Learning Curve
    New users may find i3 difficult to learn and configure, especially if they are accustomed to traditional desktop environments.
  • Lack of GUI Configuration Tools
    i3 relies heavily on manual edits to text files for configuration, lacking user-friendly graphical interfaces for setup and customization.
  • Limited Out-of-the-Box Features
    i3 does not come with many built-in features available in more comprehensive desktop environments, such as app launchers or system tray support, requiring additional setups.
  • Compatibility Issues
    Some applications may not play well with tiling window managers like i3, requiring workarounds or alternative software choices.
  • Minimal Default Appearance
    Without customization, i3 offers a very minimalistic and barebones visual experience, which may not be appealing to all users.
  • User Interface
    Solid Explorer has a clean and visually appealing user interface that supports both light and dark themes, making it pleasant to use.
  • Dual-pane mode
    The app supports a dual-pane mode, which allows you to manage files in two different locations simultaneously, enhancing productivity.
  • Cloud Storage Integration
    Solid Explorer supports a wide range of cloud storage services like Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive, and more, allowing for seamless file management across different platforms.
  • File Encryption
    The app includes features for encrypting and decrypting files, providing an extra layer of security for sensitive information.
  • Customization Options
    Solid Explorer offers extensive customization options, allowing users to change themes, icon sets, and layout to fit their preference.
  • Root Access
    It supports root access for rooted devices, enabling advanced file management tasks such as modifying system files.

Possible disadvantages

  • Payment Required
    Solid Explorer offers a 14-day trial period, after which a one-time payment is required to continue using the app, which might deter some users.
  • Occasional Bugs
    Some users have reported occasional bugs and crashes, which can disrupt the file management experience.
  • Storage Permissions
    The app requires extensive storage permissions, which some users might find concerning from a privacy standpoint.
  • Resource Intensive
    Solid Explorer can be resource-intensive, consuming more battery and memory compared to some of its competitors.
  • Limited Free Features
    While the app is feature-rich, the free version has limited functionalities, which could be a downside for users not willing to pay.

Analysis

An editorial look at what each product does well and who it suits.

i3
Solid Explorer

Overall verdict

  • Yes, i3 is considered a very good window manager for users who appreciate its minimalist and efficient approach. Its lightweight design keeps resource usage low, which can improve performance on less powerful machines.

Why this product is good

  • i3wm is known for its simplicity, speed, and efficient use of screen space, making it a popular choice among power users and developers who prefer a keyboard-driven workspace. Its tiling feature allows for the seamless organization of multiple windows, enhancing productivity and multitasking. Furthermore, it is highly customizable, allowing users to tailor their workspace to their specific needs.

Recommended for

    i3wm is recommended for advanced users, developers, and anyone who prefers a keyboard-centric interface. It is ideal for users who like to customize their environment extensively and are comfortable with configuring software via text files. New users with a willingness to learn may also find it rewarding.

Overall verdict

  • Solid Explorer is generally considered a good file management app, appreciated for its comprehensive functionality and ease of use. It is well-regarded for providing solid performance and reliability.

Why this product is good

  • Solid Explorer is popular for its clean and intuitive user interface, robust file management features, and strong support for cloud storage integration. It offers dual-pane navigation, file encryption, and extensive customization options, making it versatile for various file management needs.

Recommended for

  • Users looking for a feature-rich file manager with cloud integration
  • Those who appreciate customizable interfaces
  • Users who need efficient file management on Android devices
  • Individuals looking for secure file encryption options

Videos

Walkthroughs and reviews on video.

i3 5 videos + Add
Solid Explorer 3 videos + Add

30k Miles with the BMW i3 - End of Lease Review

More videos

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  • - Gaming With Intel's Core i3 9100F - The First Turbo Boosted Desktop i3
  • - The best EV for the money? Used BMW i3 Review

Es File Explorer Vs Solid Explorer

More videos

  • - 8 Cool Things You Can do with Solid Explorer - Best ES File Explorer Alternative
  • - best paid android apps 2016 - Solid explorer file manager (Review, Pros, Cons, Does It Worth It)

Category popularity

How often each product is chosen within a category, 0–100% relative to the other.

Score bands 0–20 21–40 41–50 51–60 61–100
i3
Solid Explorer
100% 100%
0% 0%
0% 0%
100% 100%
100% 100%
0% 0%
0% 0%
100% 100%

User comments

Share your experience with using i3 and Solid Explorer. For example, how are they different and which one is better?

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Reviews and articles

External articles and on-site reviews we used to compare the two products.

i3 no reviews yet
Solid Explorer no reviews yet

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Social recommendations and mentions

Recommendations tracked on public social media and blogs since March 2021.

i3 93 mentions
Solid Explorer 1 mention
  • My journey to "I use arch btw"
    In my case, I decided to go with a compositor instead of desktop environment. I have already used others windows tilling managers such as i3wm. This time, I want something that has more features out-of-the-box. - Source: dev.to / about 1 month ago
  • Why I traded my custom "Opinionated Linux" for Omarchy
    I've been using Omarchy as my main setup since June 26, 2025, the day DHH released the first version. Before that I had my own custom Opinionated Linux, mclovin-ARCHived: an Arch + i3wm installer set up exactly the way I liked. It was... - Source: dev.to / 5 months ago
  • Omarcacca
    Then few years back, in 2015, I got shown i3wm and used it on my ubuntu-netinstall until 2020, then I switched to Budgie and my personal laptop has been using that ever since. - Source: dev.to / 9 months ago

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Alternatives to i3 and Solid Explorer

When comparing i3 and Solid Explorer, you can also consider the following products.