Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Recoll VS FileLocator

Compare Recoll VS FileLocator and see what are their differences

Recoll logo Recoll

Recoll is a desktop full-text search tool. Recoll finds keywords inside documents as well as file names.

FileLocator logo FileLocator

FileLocator Lite enables you to locate files on your pc.
  • Recoll Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-09-21
  • FileLocator Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-10-21

Recoll features and specs

  • Comprehensive Indexing
    Recoll can index a wide variety of file types and contents, including emails, documents, and multimedia files. This makes it highly versatile for different data indexing needs.
  • Highly Customizable
    Users can tweak Recoll to meet their specific needs, from defining indexing rules to configuring the GUI settings. This level of customization allows for personalized usage.
  • Powerful Search Capabilities
    It provides advanced search features such as Boolean searches, phrase searches, and filtering by file type or date, which help users find exactly what they are looking for quickly.
  • Cross-Platform Availability
    Recoll is available on multiple operating systems including Linux, Windows, and macOS, making it accessible to a wide range of users.
  • Open Source
    Being open-source, it allows users to view the source code and contribute to its development. It also means there are no licensing fees associated with its use.
  • Support for Multiple Languages
    Recoll supports multiple languages, which makes it a suitable choice for international users.

Possible disadvantages of Recoll

  • Resource Intensive
    The indexing process can be resource-intensive, consuming significant CPU and memory, particularly when handling large datasets.
  • Complex Setup
    Initial setup and configuration can be complex and may require a good understanding of its settings and features, which may not be user-friendly for beginners.
  • User Interface
    While functional, the user interface is considered less modern and may not be as intuitive or visually appealing as some commercial alternatives.
  • Limited Customer Support
    As an open-source project, customer support is primarily community-driven, which may not be as reliable or fast as professional support services.
  • Frequent Updates
    While frequent updates can be beneficial, they may also require users to frequently update their installations and adapt to changes, which can be inconvenient.
  • Limited Mobile Support
    Recoll has limited support for mobile platforms, which may be an important consideration for users who need cross-platform, mobile-friendly access.

FileLocator features and specs

  • Comprehensive Search Capabilities
    FileLocator offers advanced search options including searching within files, multiple search criteria, and support for various file formats.
  • User-Friendly Interface
    The software provides a clear and intuitive interface that makes it easy for users to navigate and utilize its features effectively.
  • Performance
    The search process is fast and efficient, even when dealing with large folders or network drives.
  • Regular Expression Support
    FileLocator allows users to employ regular expressions for precise and flexible search terms.
  • Export Capabilities
    Search results can be easily exported into various formats such as text and CSV, facilitating further analysis or record-keeping.

Possible disadvantages of FileLocator

  • Limited Free Version
    FileLocator Lite offers reduced functionality compared to the pro version, potentially limiting its usefulness for advanced users or large scale search operations.
  • Learning Curve for New Users
    Despite its user-friendly design, new users may need some time to learn how to fully utilize the advanced search features offered by the software.
  • Windows Only
    FileLocator is primarily designed for Windows users, which restricts its use for those on other operating systems like macOS or Linux.

Recoll videos

DEF CON 25 Recon Village - Dakota Nelson -Total Recoll

More videos:

  • Review - Tutorial RECOLL
  • Review - Ubuntu Total "Recoll" - HDD Volltextsuche

FileLocator videos

Introduction to FileLocator Pro

More videos:

  • Review - Let's have a look at FileLocator Pro
  • Review - Trying out FileLocator Pro

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Recoll and FileLocator)
File Manager
71 71%
29% 29
Clipboard Manager
68 68%
32% 32
Note Taking
66 66%
34% 34
File Management
73 73%
27% 27

User comments

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What are some alternatives?

When comparing Recoll and FileLocator, you can also consider the following products

DocFetcher - DocFetcher is a portable German/English open source desktop search application.

Everything by Voidtools - Everything. Locate files and folders by name instantly. Everything. Small installation file. Clean and simple user interface.

Agent Ransack - Agent Ransack is a tool for finding files and information on your hard drive fast and efficiently.

dtsearch - dtSearch - The Smart Choice for Text Retrieval since 1991.

SearchMyFiles - Alternative to the standard Search For Files And Folders module of Windows. Duplicates search is also supported.

SMF – Search my Files - SMF - Search my Files v13 is the fastest duplicate files finder and a multi-dimensional - file searcher, - file copier / mover, - file deleter / eraser, - and