Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Vifm VS Ubuntu Unity

Compare Vifm VS Ubuntu Unity and see what are their differences

Vifm logo Vifm

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

Ubuntu Unity logo Ubuntu Unity

A powerful blend of Ubuntu and Unity - to give you the most complete and cohesive Linux Desktop Experience.
  • Vifm Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-05-09
  • Ubuntu Unity Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-03-05

Vifm features and specs

  • Efficient Keyboard Navigation
    Vifm is designed to be navigated using the keyboard, which can significantly speed up file management tasks for users who are proficient with keyboard shortcuts.
  • Vim-Like Interface
    For users familiar with Vim, the interface and command structure of Vifm will be intuitive, reducing the learning curve and providing a seamless experience.
  • Customizability
    Vifm offers extensive customization options, allowing users to tailor the file manager to their specific preferences and workflow.
  • Lightweight
    Vifm is relatively light on system resources, making it a good choice for systems with limited resources or users who prefer minimal software.
  • Dual Pane View
    The dual-pane view in Vifm facilitates efficient file operations like moving and copying files between directories.
  • Scriptable
    Vifm supports scripting, which allows for automation of repetitive tasks and integration with other tools.

Possible disadvantages of Vifm

  • Steep Learning Curve
    New users, especially those not familiar with Vim, may find Vifm difficult to learn and use effectively.
  • Limited GUI Features
    Vifm primarily operates in a terminal environment and lacks some of the graphical user interface features found in other file managers.
  • Dependency on Terminal
    As a terminal-based application, Vifm depends on terminal access, which might not be convenient for all users or scenarios.
  • Less Intuitive for Non-Vim Users
    Users who are not familiar with Vim may find the command structure and navigation unintuitive and challenging to adapt to.
  • Documentation
    While functional, the documentation for Vifm can sometimes be insufficient, leading to difficulties in troubleshooting and feature exploration.

Ubuntu Unity features and specs

  • User Experience
    Ubuntu Unity offers an intuitive and streamlined desktop experience with a focus on simplifying navigation and operation, which can enhance productivity for some users.
  • Dash and HUD Features
    The Dash provides a powerful search function to quickly find applications and files, while the Heads-Up Display (HUD) allows for searching through application menus, which can save time for experienced users.
  • Visual Consistency
    Unity provides a consistent visual and user interface design across applications, which contributes to a cohesive and attractive desktop environment.
  • Customization Options
    Users can customize various aspects of their Unity desktop experience, such as the launcher and themes, allowing for a tailored user interface.

Possible disadvantages of Ubuntu Unity

  • Resource Usage
    Compared to some other lightweight desktop environments, Ubuntu Unity may consume more system resources, which could affect performance on older or less powerful hardware.
  • Learning Curve
    Users accustomed to different desktop environments may experience a learning curve when adjusting to Unity's unique design and features.
  • Limited Official Support
    As Ubuntu Unity is developed as a community-driven project, it may lack the same level of official support and frequent updates that other desktop environments supported directly by Canonical might receive.
  • Compatibility Issues
    Some users might encounter compatibility issues with certain applications or hardware configurations due to Unity's unique integration and design.

Analysis of Vifm

Overall verdict

  • Yes, Vifm is a good choice for users who prefer command-line tools and vi-like interfaces. It is powerful and highly customizable, making it suitable for users who value efficiency and productivity. However, it may have a steeper learning curve for those unfamiliar with vi keybindings or command-line interfaces.

Why this product is good

  • Vifm is highly regarded for its efficiency and flexibility as a file manager, especially for users comfortable with vi-like keybindings. It integrates well into a terminal-based workflow, allowing seamless navigation and file operations without leaving the command line. Customization options and the ability to work with multiple panes enhance productivity for advanced users. Its reliance on keyboard shortcuts rather than mouse interactions can be a significant advantage for those accustomed to command-line environments.

Recommended for

  • Linux users who frequently use the terminal
  • Developers or system administrators who like vi-style interfaces
  • Users looking for a customizable and lightweight file manager
  • Power users who appreciate keyboard-driven workflows

Vifm videos

vifm - The Terminal File Manager For The Vim-Centric User

More videos:

  • Review - Icons And Image Previews In Vifm, Plus Xterm Is Great!
  • Review - vifm - Vi File Manager - Linux TUI

Ubuntu Unity videos

Ubuntu Unity 23.10 - A Great Linux Distro - Review !

More videos:

  • Review - What happened to Ubuntu Unity??
  • Review - Ubuntu Unity: Ubuntu's Biggest Regret? (First Impressions)

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Vifm and Ubuntu Unity)
FTP Client
78 78%
22% 22
File Manager
73 73%
27% 27
Linux
0 0%
100% 100
File Management
82 82%
18% 18

User comments

Share your experience with using Vifm and Ubuntu Unity. For example, how are they different and which one is better?
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Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Ubuntu Unity seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 5 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.

Vifm mentions (0)

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

Ubuntu Unity mentions (5)

  • Omakub โ€“ Opinionated Ubuntu Setup
    > Ubuntu out of the box is not a great experience. I personally went with Linux Mint, because it doesn't try to push snaps and honestly the Cinnamon desktop is lovely and gets out of the way, a bit like XFCE but in some ways more polished: https://www.linuxmint.com/ It's nice that I don't even need custom scripts, it's pretty good out of the box. That said, contrary to popular opinion, I actually liked back when... - Source: Hacker News / over 1 year ago
  • The KDE desktop gets an overhaul with Plasma 6
    Unity is back. An enthusiast resurrected it and now it's an official Ubuntu flavour again: https://ubuntuunity.org/. - Source: Hacker News / over 1 year ago
  • Rethinking Window Management in Gnome
    > I wish Unity didn't die Hi from Unity on Ubuntu 23.04. I am running the Unity flavour: https://ubuntuunity.org/ It uses the latest Unity 7.7, released earlier this year: https://gitlab.com/ubuntu-unity/unity-x/unityx I run it on 3 or 4 machines, one of which has 2 screens and one of which has 3. Works great, scales well, handles modern Ubuntu just fine. I use it with the Waterfox browser, which integrates... - Source: Hacker News / about 2 years ago
  • Rolling release between Arch and Rhino(Ubuntu based)
    I'm sorry, but Ubuntu Unity takes the cake for the best distro website https://ubuntuunity.org/. Source: over 2 years ago
  • Question about changing desktop environments
    Canonical dropped development of Unity in 2017 (if I remember correctly), but there is https://ubuntuunity.org/ which is not affiliated with Canonical. Source: over 2 years ago

What are some alternatives?

When comparing Vifm and Ubuntu Unity, you can also consider the following products

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.

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

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

lf (file manager) - Terminal file manager written in Go (programming language).

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 .

jFileProcessor - A developers file manager.