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Midnight Commander VS WCM Commander

Compare Midnight Commander VS WCM Commander and see what are their differences

Midnight Commander logo Midnight Commander

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

WCM Commander logo WCM Commander

Multi-platform open source file manager.
  • Midnight Commander Landing page
    Landing page //
    2018-09-29
  • WCM Commander Landing page
    Landing page //
    2022-04-09

Midnight Commander features and specs

  • User-Friendly Interface
    Midnight Commander provides a text-based user interface that is relatively easy to navigate, unlike traditional command-line interfaces, which can be intimidating for new users.
  • Two-pane File Manager
    The dual-pane layout allows users to perform file operations such as moving and copying files between two locations effortlessly.
  • Built-in Editor
    Midnight Commander includes a built-in text editor (mcedit) that can be handy for quickly editing configuration files or scripts.
  • Connectivity Options
    It supports various network protocols like FTP, SFTP, and Samba, enabling users to manage files on remote systems as easily as on local drives.
  • Customizability
    Users can customize key bindings, color schemes, and panels to better suit their needs and workflow preferences.
  • Cross-Platform
    Midnight Commander is available on multiple operating systems, including Linux, macOS, and Windows, offering a consistent experience across platforms.
  • Search Capabilities
    Advanced search options make it easy to find files and text within files, which is useful for a variety of tasks, from coding to administration.

Possible disadvantages of Midnight Commander

  • Limited GUI Features
    Being a text-based application, it lacks some of the graphical features and mouse interactions available in graphical file managers.
  • Learning Curve
    While more user-friendly than the command line, it still requires some time to learn and get accustomed to the various key bindings and functionalities.
  • Dependency on Terminal
    As a terminal-based application, it requires a terminal emulator, which might not be as efficient or convenient as using a native graphical application for some users.
  • Limited Advanced Features
    For complex file management tasks, it may not offer the advanced features or plugins available in more robust file managers.
  • No Built-in Preview
    Unlike some graphical file managers, it doesn't provide a built-in preview of files (like images or PDFs), which can be a drawback for certain use cases.
  • Dependency on Configuration Files
    Customization often necessitates editing configuration files manually, which could be a deterrent for users who are not comfortable with text-based configurations.

WCM Commander features and specs

  • Dual-pane Interface
    WCM Commander features a dual-pane layout which allows users to easily manage files by viewing two directories at once, enhancing productivity and simplifying file operations like copying and moving.
  • Cross-Platform Compatibility
    WCM Commander is available on multiple platforms including Windows, macOS, and Linux, making it a versatile choice for users who operate across different operating systems.
  • Open Source
    Being open source, WCM Commander allows users to examine and modify the source code, contributing to transparency and enabling customization according to user needs.
  • Customizable UI
    The tool offers a customizable user interface, letting users tailor the look and functionality to suit their individual preferences and improve usability.
  • Integration with External Tools
    WCM Commander supports integration with various external tools such as editors and viewers, allowing users to create a more efficient and connected workflow.

Possible disadvantages of WCM Commander

  • Limited Plugin Availability
    Compared to other file managers, WCM Commander has fewer plugins available, which may limit the expandability options for users looking for additional features.
  • Smaller User Community
    The tool has a smaller user base compared to more established file managers, potentially leading to less community support and fewer online resources.
  • Occasional Stability Issues
    Some users have reported occasional stability issues, such as crashes or freezes, which can disrupt the user experience especially during intensive tasks.
  • Learning Curve
    New users might face a learning curve due to the multiple features and customization options, which can be overwhelming for those accustomed to simpler file managers.
  • Lack of Advanced Features
    WCM Commander may lack some advanced features and functionalities found in more comprehensive file management solutions, potentially limiting its use for power users.

Analysis of Midnight Commander

Overall verdict

  • Yes, Midnight Commander is considered a good tool by many users, especially those who frequently work in command-line environments. Its efficiency and robustness make it a favorite among system administrators and developers.

Why this product is good

  • Midnight Commander is a popular and powerful file manager for Unix-like systems. It features a text user interface, making it suitable for command-line environments. It provides all essential file management functionalities, including copying, moving, renaming, and even supports accessing and browsing through FTP or SSH, making it versatile for various tasks.

Recommended for

    Midnight Commander is highly recommended for users who are comfortable working in command-line environments. It is particularly suitable for system administrators, developers, and power users who need a reliable and efficient file management tool with advanced features like remote file system browsing.

Midnight Commander videos

EzeeLinux Show 18.15 | GNU Midnight Commander

More videos:

  • Review - 16 - Midnight Commander, Part 1 of 3
  • Review - Midnight Commander || Installation and short review || Ubuntu || Fedora

WCM Commander videos

No WCM Commander videos yet. You could help us improve this page by suggesting one.

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Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Midnight Commander and WCM Commander)
File Manager
86 86%
14% 14
FTP Client
85 85%
15% 15
File Explorer
89 89%
11% 11
File Management
71 71%
29% 29

User comments

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Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Midnight Commander seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 28 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.

Midnight Commander mentions (28)

  • Emacs 2024 Changes
    Dired as a cross-platform file manager. I used to use Midnight Commander but I found it buggy in the end (on MacOS). Since investing time in learning dired it's good enough. - Source: dev.to / 9 months ago
  • OpenBSD Desktop
    Midnight Commander is a good TUI file manager. https://midnight-commander.org/. - Source: Hacker News / over 1 year ago
  • Antonmedv/walk: Terminal file manager
    Was there something before https://midnight-commander.org/ or was that the OG? - Source: Hacker News / about 2 years ago
  • How to move a directory to ../ if there is a directory with same name?
    Just use mc (midnight commander) it not only is a terminal based file manager but it will give you the command lines used to do so GNU MIDNIGHT COMMANDER. Source: over 2 years ago
  • What's that email client doing here?
    Given that you can run shells in Emacs since those are text too, Emacs ends up becoming almost like a Lisp-powered tmux or mc. Source: over 2 years ago
View more

WCM Commander mentions (0)

We have not tracked any mentions of WCM Commander yet. Tracking of WCM Commander recommendations started around Mar 2021.

What are some alternatives?

When comparing Midnight Commander and WCM Commander, you can also consider the following products

Double Commander - Double Commander is a cross-platform open source file manager with two panels side by side.

Vifm - Vifm is a ncurses based file manager with vi like keybindings.

FreeCommander - FreeCommander is an easy-to-use alternative to the standard windows file manager. The program helps you with daily work in Windows. Here you can find all the necessary functions to manage your data stock.

fman - An unexpected gift. January 07, 2018 by Michael. One of the nice things that happened last week was an fman user writing in to say that 1) fman "is THE BEST SOFTWARE" (sic). And that 2) he would like to send me a $50 tip.

Total Commander - A Shareware file manager for Windowsยฎ 95/98/ME/NT/2000/XP/Vista/7, and Windowsยฎ 3.1.

Krusader - Krusader is an advanced twin panel (commander style) file manager for KDE and other desktops in the *nix world, similar to Midnight or Total Commander.โ€ŽGet your copy of the Krusader .