Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

lf (file manager) VS fzf

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

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lf (file manager) logo lf (file manager)

Terminal file manager written in Go (programming language).

fzf logo fzf

A command-line fuzzy finder written in Go
  • lf (file manager) Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-10-04
  • fzf Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-09-26

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.

fzf features and specs

  • Speed
    fzf is highly optimized for speed, allowing users to find files, directories, and other items rapidly.
  • Integrations
    It seamlessly integrates with various command-line tools and applications, enhancing productivity by providing quick access.
  • Customization
    fzf offers extensive customization options for key bindings, appearance, and behavior, making it adaptable to user preferences.
  • Cross-Platform Support
    It works on multiple operating systems including Linux, macOS, and Windows, ensuring a wide range of compatibility.
  • Minimal Dependencies
    fzf requires minimal dependencies, making it easy to install and use without extensive overhead.

Possible disadvantages of fzf

  • Learning Curve
    New users might face a learning curve, especially if they are not familiar with command-line tools and customizations.
  • Complex Customization
    While fzf is highly customizable, creating and managing complex configurations can be challenging for some users.
  • Terminal Dependency
    As a command-line tool, it requires users to work within a terminal environment, which may not be suitable for all users or use cases.
  • Resource Intensive
    In certain scenarios, fzf can be resource-intensive, particularly when dealing with massive datasets or extensive directories.
  • Lack of Native GUI
    fzf does not provide a native graphical user interface, which might limit its accessibility for users who prefer GUIs.

Analysis of fzf

Overall verdict

  • fzf is highly regarded by developers and terminal enthusiasts for its speed, versatility, and ease of use. It enhances productivity and streamlines workflows when dealing with large sets of data or files.

Why this product is good

  • fzf is considered a good tool because it is a highly efficient, command-line fuzzy finder that allows users to search and filter through files and data quickly. It integrates seamlessly with various command-line tools and supports key bindings for quick access, making it a flexible choice for developers and power users who work extensively in terminal environments.

Recommended for

  • Developers who frequently work in the terminal
  • System administrators managing large file systems
  • Data scientists needing quick filtering options for data sets
  • Linux and Unix users looking to improve command-line efficiency

lf (file manager) videos

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fzf videos

Vim universe. fzf - command line fuzzy finder

More videos:

  • Review - How I Work: fzf
  • Review - fzf - Fuzzy Finder For Your Shell - Linux TUI

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to lf (file manager) and fzf)
FTP Client
100 100%
0% 0
Note Taking
0 0%
100% 100
File Manager
100 100%
0% 0
Productivity
0 0%
100% 100

User comments

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Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, fzf should be more popular than lf (file manager). It has been mentiond 230 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.

lf (file manager) mentions (65)

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fzf mentions (230)

  • Cmd-K for the Terminal
    I've been frustrated with how slow terminal filesystem navigation feels in comparison with modern apps like Notion, Slack, Discord, etc. I discovered the amazing https://github.com/junegunn/fzf , and realized I could build ⌘-k for the terminal. - Source: Hacker News / about 21 hours ago
  • Build a CLI Emoji Picker with fzf and Nix
    In my blog post yesterday, I mentioned fzf. Its simplicity and power make it a good tool for many scripting tasks. In this post, we will see a practical example of how to use it in a CLI program and package it with Nix. - Source: dev.to / 23 days ago
  • Wayland Application Launchers: Stick with Rofi
    But also, sway-launcher-desktop is a brilliant hack that uses fzf to implement a launcher that works in the console. I can think of many such use cases. As a starting point, I revisited my fzf shell integration configuration today and decided to invest in it a bit more for my scripting efforts. - Source: dev.to / 24 days ago
  • Useful CLI tools
    Fzf is a command-line fuzzy finder that makes navigating through files, commands, and processes much easier. It's kind of like ctrl + P on vscode, but for your terminal. - Source: dev.to / about 1 month ago
  • Trick to find commands in the terminal quickly
    Install "fzf" [0] and set it up to be used with control+r, there's no going back. You get as a bonus the chance to use fzf in a lot of other places :) I guess that more advance tool would be "atuin" [1], but it is too much for my use case. [0] https://github.com/junegunn/fzf. - Source: Hacker News / 4 months ago
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What are some alternatives?

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

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

fd - A simple, fast and user-friendly alternative to 'find'.

Broot - Commandline app to simplify directory navigation.

Bat - A cat(1) clone with wings.

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

fzy - A better fuzzy finder