Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

SpaceFM VS fman

Compare SpaceFM VS fman and see what are their differences

SpaceFM logo SpaceFM

Net Installer. If there are no packages for your distro, you prefer to use a testing branch, or you prefer to build SpaceFM with custom build options, a net installer is available. The installer MUST be run in a terminal.

fman logo 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.
  • SpaceFM Landing page
    Landing page //
    2018-10-22
  • fman Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-09-21

SpaceFM features and specs

  • Highly Customizable
    SpaceFM offers extensive customization options allowing users to tailor the interface and features to their specific needs.
  • Plugin Support
    Users can enhance the functionality of SpaceFM through a wide range of plugins.
  • Tabbed Navigation
    The application supports tabbed browsing, improving the efficiency of file management by allowing multiple directories to be open at once.
  • Device Management
    SpaceFM includes comprehensive device management features, making it easier to mount and manage external storage devices.
  • Multi-panel Layout
    It supports a multi-panel layout that allows users to view and manage files from different directories simultaneously.

Possible disadvantages of SpaceFM

  • Complexity for Beginners
    The extensive customization options and features can be overwhelming for novice users.
  • Interface Design
    Some users may find the interface less modern or visually appealing compared to other file managers.
  • Limited Default Features
    While it can be highly customized, SpaceFM might feel limited out-of-the-box and require plugins for enhanced functionality.
  • Potential for Bugs
    As with any software that supports plugins, there is potential for instability or bugs with certain configurations.

fman features and specs

  • Cross-Platform Availability
    fman is available on macOS, Windows, and Linux, allowing users to have a consistent file management experience across different operating systems.
  • Performance
    fman is built to be lightweight and fast, which can result in quicker file operations and a more responsive interface compared to some other file managers.
  • Plugin System
    fman offers a plugin system that allows users to extend its functionality according to their needs, which fosters a customizable experience.
  • Dual-Pane Interface
    The dual-pane interface is highly efficient for tasks that involve moving or copying files between directories, offering a productivity boost for power users.
  • Keyboard Shortcuts
    Extensive keyboard shortcut support lets advanced users perform operations quickly without needing to use the mouse, speeding up file management tasks.

Possible disadvantages of fman

  • Paid Software
    fman is not free; it requires a purchase for continuous use, which might be a drawback for users looking for a free alternative.
  • Limited Built-In Features
    Out-of-the-box, fman might lack some advanced features found in other file managers, requiring users to install plugins to achieve the same functionality.
  • Learning Curve
    New users might experience a learning curve when adapting to fman's interface and keyboard shortcuts, especially if they are coming from more traditional file managers.
  • Plugin Management
    While the plugin system is a pro, managing and finding the right plugins can be cumbersome for some users. Additionally, community plugins might vary in quality.
  • UI Design
    Some users might find the minimalist design too simplistic compared to other file managers, potentially missing out on a richer, more feature-complete interface.

Analysis of SpaceFM

Overall verdict

  • SpaceFM is generally considered a good file manager, especially for users who value flexibility and functionality over simplicity. However, users who prefer a more straightforward or user-friendly interface might opt for alternative file managers.

Why this product is good

  • SpaceFM is a highly customizable and lightweight file manager. It supports multiple panels, extensive configuration options, and plugins, making it suitable for users who prefer a more personalized file management experience. Additionally, its extensibility through scripting appeals to advanced users seeking more control.

Recommended for

  • Advanced users who require extensive customization
  • Linux users seeking efficient file management solutions
  • Users who benefit from multi-panel interfaces
  • Individuals who enjoy creating and using scripts or plugins

Analysis of fman

Overall verdict

  • fman is a solid choice for users seeking a customizable and efficient file management solution. However, those who prefer a more graphical interface with advanced features out-of-the-box may need to look at alternative solutions.

Why this product is good

  • fman is a dual-pane file manager designed to enhance productivity by allowing users to efficiently organize and manage their files across different platforms. It is especially appreciated for its extensibility, as users can create or download plugins to tailor the software to their specific needs. Additionally, its minimalistic design and multi-platform support make it an appealing choice for those who frequently switch between operating systems.

Recommended for

  • Developers and IT professionals who require a cross-platform file manager.
  • Users who appreciate customizability through plugins.
  • Individuals looking for a lightweight and speed-oriented file manager.

SpaceFM videos

SpaceFM: An Almost Too Customizable GUI File Manager

More videos:

  • Review - SpaceFM Review (File Manager)
  • Review - antiX 13.2 - SpaceFM - SpaceFM tricks

fman videos

Speargun trigger review @ trigger panah ikan #FMAN

More videos:

  • Review - Introducing the OwnHammer 412 FMAN 6-pack
  • Review - Releasing fman 0 6 3

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to SpaceFM and fman)
FTP Client
30 30%
70% 70
File Manager
25 25%
75% 75
File Management
40 40%
60% 60
Tool
100 100%
0% 0

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare SpaceFM and fman

SpaceFM Reviews

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fman Reviews

14 Alternative File Managers To Replace Windows 10 File Explorer
A very simple dual-window view file manager. The only extra feature I saw was the search bar at the top that you can use to quickly access anything. However, it’s also really small in size and light on resources, so try fman if you have a slow PC.
Source: geekflare.com

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, fman should be more popular than SpaceFM. It has been mentiond 10 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.

SpaceFM mentions (2)

  • A couple of upcoming thunar features
    I think you'd also really like SpaceFM which is highly customizable. You can pretty much change any part of it you want -- buttons, menus, status bar, etc. Source: over 3 years ago
  • One Commander – a new Windows 10 file browser
    If you want OSS alternatives for Linux, here are some. A few may look old and unpolished, but today pretty much every desktop environment comes with its own file manager. https://www.4pane.co.uk/ https://doublecmd.sourceforge.io/ https://ignorantguru.github.io/spacefm/ http://tuxcmd.sourceforge.net/ http://www.boomerangsworld.de/cms/worker/ http://roland65.free.fr/xfe/. - Source: Hacker News / about 4 years ago

fman mentions (10)

  • Ask HN: What project do you donate to?
    My first donations were for daily-driver productivity tools: Min browser (https://github.com/minbrowser/min). - Source: Hacker News / 9 days ago
  • File Pilot: A file explorer built for speed with a modern, robust interface
    I once devoted 2 years of my life to developing a file manager called fman [1]. In total, it generated probably 35,000$ in profits, so my income from the project is somewhere under 10 $/h. As software developers, our opportunity costs are high. I use my file manager to this day and love it - how could I not. But I regret spending so much time on it. Congratulations on your launch. I wish you more success than I've... - Source: Hacker News / 3 months ago
  • Use Midnight Commander like a pro (2015)
    Shameless plug for my more modern alternative to Midnight Commander, https://fman.io. - Source: Hacker News / over 1 year ago
  • Best symbols in folder names to pin an important folder up top?
    Use a file browser that supports jumping to a folder by frecency (examples: z (shell extension) or my-dired-recent-dirs() in my dired or https://fman.io/ for users that prefer graphical UIs). You will find out that you will prefer jumping to navigation when you're familiar with the concept. Source: about 3 years ago
  • Ask HN: Why aren't there any real alternatives to Electron?
    There are great alternatives. I used Python and Qt to create my file manager [1]. It's a tool that needs to start quickly so Electron was not an option [2]. I open sourced my build system for creating cross-platform desktop apps with it in minutes at https://build-system.fman.io/. 1: https://fman.io 2: https://fman.io/blog/picking-technologies-for-a-desktop-app-in-2016/. - Source: Hacker News / about 3 years ago
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What are some alternatives?

When comparing SpaceFM and fman, you can also consider the following products

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

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

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

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.‎Get your copy of the Krusader .

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

Nemo - Nemo is the official file manager for the ...