Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

ranger VS Midnight Commander

Compare ranger VS Midnight Commander and see what are their differences

ranger logo ranger

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

Midnight Commander logo Midnight Commander

GNU Midnight Commander is a visual file manager, licensed under GNU General Public License and...
  • ranger Landing page
    Landing page //
    2018-09-29
  • Midnight Commander Landing page
    Landing page //
    2018-09-29

ranger features and specs

  • Lightweight
    Ranger is a console-based file manager known for its minimalistic design, which makes it lightweight and fast. It does not consume excessive system resources, making it ideal for use on older hardware or in situations where system efficiency is crucial.
  • Keyboard-centric
    Ranger offers extensive keyboard shortcuts that allow for rapid navigation and file manipulation. This is particularly beneficial for users who prefer keyboard interactions over mouse-based operations.
  • Vim Integration
    Ranger features keybindings and controls similar to the Vim text editor, which can make it very appealing to users who are already familiar with Vim.
  • Customizability
    Ranger is highly customizable through its configuration files and extensions. Users can tailor the behavior and appearance to meet their specific needs.
  • File Previews
    Ranger includes a powerful preview feature that can display previews of various file types, including text files, images, and even some audio and video files.

Possible disadvantages of ranger

  • Learning Curve
    Due to its keyboard-centric navigation and use of Vim-like keybindings, Ranger may have a steep learning curve for users who are not already familiar with these systems.
  • Limited GUI
    As a console-based file manager, Ranger lacks a graphical user interface (GUI), which can be a drawback for users who prefer visual interfaces over text-based ones.
  • Dependency on Terminal
    Ranger's functionality is tied to the terminal, making it less accessible for users who are uncomfortable with frequent terminal use or need a file manager that works outside the terminal environment.
  • Feature Limitations
    While Ranger is powerful, it may not have some of the advanced features found in full-fledged, GUI-based file managers, such as drag-and-drop support or intricate file operation dialogs.
  • Winning Interoperability
    Ranger's specialized nature and reliance on terminal commands can limit its interoperability with certain other software tools and workflows that are designed with GUI file managers in mind.

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.

Analysis of ranger

Overall verdict

  • Ranger is considered a good file manager for users who appreciate a terminal-based interface and value speed and efficiency in their workflow. It is well-suited for users who are comfortable with the command-line environment and desire a customizable tool.

Why this product is good

  • Ranger is a well-regarded terminal-based file manager known for its efficiency and simplicity. It provides a dual-pane interface that allows users to navigate through directories quickly using keyboard shortcuts. Ranger integrates with other command-line utilities, making it highly customizable and extensible, which is appealing to power users and those comfortable with the command line. Its minimalist design and low resource consumption make it suitable for users who prefer a lightweight application.

Recommended for

  • Advanced users who prefer a terminal-based user interface.
  • Linux users looking for a lightweight and efficient file manager.
  • Developers and system administrators who frequently navigate through complex directory structures.
  • Users who appreciate customizable and extensible software.

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.

ranger videos

2019 Ford Ranger Review - Is The New Ranger a Game Changer?

More videos:

  • Review - 2020 Ford Ranger | Review | Autotrader
  • Review - 2020 Ford Ranger FX4 Lariat High Mileage Review

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

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to ranger and Midnight Commander)
File Manager
25 25%
75% 75
FTP Client
23 23%
77% 77
File Explorer
27 27%
73% 73
File Management
26 26%
74% 74

User comments

Share your experience with using ranger and Midnight Commander. For example, how are they different and which one is better?
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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.

ranger mentions (0)

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

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 / 5 months ago
  • OpenBSD Desktop
    Midnight Commander is a good TUI file manager. https://midnight-commander.org/. - Source: Hacker News / about 1 year ago
  • Antonmedv/walk: Terminal file manager
    Was there something before https://midnight-commander.org/ or was that the OG? - Source: Hacker News / almost 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: about 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: about 2 years ago
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What are some alternatives?

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

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

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

Thunar - Thunar is a modern file manager for the Xfce Desktop Environment.

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

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.

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.