Software Alternatives & Startups

Vim VS Root Explorer

Compare Vim VS Root Explorer and see what are their differences

Vim

Highly configurable text editor built to enable efficient text editing

Vim Landing page
Rating
0 reviews
Pricing
Open source
Root Explorer

Root Explorer is an ultimate most powerful and useful file manager for root users that lets you access the whole of android’s file system including the secured ones.

Root Explorer Landing page
Rating
0 reviews
Note: These products don't have any matching categories. If you think this is a mistake, please edit the details of one of the products and suggest appropriate categories.

Which is more popular?

Based on our record, Vim seems to be more popular. It has been mentioned 10 times since March 2021.

social mentions
10 vs 0
Text Editors popularity
100% vs 0%
alternatives listed
240+ vs 134

Base details

Website, pricing, platforms and company facts side by side.

Vim
Root Explorer
Website vim.org rootexplorer.co
Pricing
Open source
Listed in

Features and specs

What each product offers, as listed by its team.

Vim 6 features
Root Explorer 5 features
  • Efficiency
    Once learned, Vim can significantly speed up text editing with its modal editing, keyboard shortcuts, and commands that allow for quick navigation and manipulation of text.
  • Lightweight
    Vim is a very lightweight editor, consuming minimal system resources, making it highly performant even on systems with lower specifications.
  • Customizability
    Vim is highly configurable and extensible through plugins and user-defined settings, allowing users to tailor the editor to their specific needs.
  • Ubiquity
    Vim is available on almost every Unix-like system and even on Windows, making it a ubiquitous tool that you can rely on being available in most environments.
  • Support for Multiple Programming Languages
    Vim supports a wide range of programming languages out of the box and offers syntax highlighting, which can be enhanced through plugins.
  • Powerful Search and Replace
    Vim offers robust searching and replacing functionalities, including support for regular expressions, which can be a powerful tool for developers.

Possible disadvantages

  • Steep Learning Curve
    Vim's modal editing and extensive set of commands can be daunting for new users, requiring significant time and effort to master.
  • Minimal Default Config
    The default configuration of Vim is quite minimalistic, which may necessitate additional setup and customization to meet modern development needs.
  • Limited GUI
    Vim primarily operates in a terminal, and while there are graphical variants like GVim, they are not as feature-rich or user-friendly as modern GUI editors.
  • Plugin Management
    While Vim is highly extensible, managing and configuring plugins can be cumbersome compared to more modern editors that offer integrated plugin management.
  • Inconsistent Behavior Across Platforms
    There may be inconsistencies in behavior or available features of Vim across different operating systems, which can complicate its use in certain environments.
  • Lack of Integrated Modern Features
    Vim lacks some modern IDE features like integrated debugging, advanced code introspection, and refined autocompletion, which often require third-party plugins to achieve.
  • Comprehensive File Management
    Root Explorer offers extensive file management capabilities including cut, copy, paste, delete, and rename operations, which helps users effectively organize their files.
  • Root Access
    The app provides full access to the entire Android file system including the elusive data folder, making it invaluable for root users.
  • Cloud Storage Integration
    Supports integration with cloud storage services like Google Drive, Dropbox, and Box, making it easy to manage files stored in the cloud.
  • SQLite Database Viewer
    Includes an SQLite database viewer that allows users to manage and edit database files directly from the app.
  • Network Storage Support
    Supports accessing files over FTP, SFTP, WebDAV, and SMB/CIFS, thereby aiding in seamless network-based file management.

Possible disadvantages

  • Requires Root Access
    Many of the advanced features such as full file system access require the device to be rooted, which can be risky and void warranties.
  • Paid Application
    Root Explorer is not a free app, which might deter some users looking for a free file management solution.
  • User Interface
    Some users may find the user interface to be outdated or not as intuitive compared to some of the newer file management apps.
  • Lacks Advanced Security Features
    While it offers basic file management, Root Explorer does not provide advanced security features like encryption or secure sharing.
  • Limited Customer Support
    Users have reported that the customer support is not as responsive, which can be an issue if you run into problems or need assistance.

Analysis

An editorial look at what each product does well and who it suits.

Vim
Root Explorer

Overall verdict

  • Yes, Vim is a good text editor, especially for users who invest the time to learn its powerful commands and features. Its steep learning curve may be challenging initially, but once mastered, it significantly enhances productivity.

Why this product is good

  • Vim is considered a powerful text editor because of its efficiency and versatility. It offers extensive features, such as syntax highlighting, a robust plugin system, and support for numerous programming languages. Vim is highly configurable, enabling users to customize its environment to fit their needs. It is particularly appreciated for its speed and the ability to perform complex text manipulations using simple commands.

Recommended for

    Vim is recommended for programmers, developers, and system administrators who require a highly efficient and customizable text editing experience. It is especially useful for those who work extensively in terminal environments or need a quick, resource-light text editor for remote systems.

Overall verdict

  • Root Explorer is generally considered a reliable and effective file management tool for rooted Android devices. Its comprehensive feature set and ability to handle a wide range of file operations make it a preferred choice among users who need advanced file management capabilities. However, due to its requirement for root access, it may not be suitable for all users, particularly those who are not comfortable with rooting their devices.

Why this product is good

  • Root Explorer is a file management application for Android devices that require root access. It is popular because it provides advanced features such as access to the entire file system (including the elusive data folder), ability to change file permissions, and support for various file formats including compressed files. These features make it a powerful tool for advanced users who need complete control over their Android devices.

Recommended for

    Root Explorer is best suited for advanced Android users who have rooted their devices and need deep access to file systems. It is recommended for those who wish to manage system files, change file permissions, or perform other complex tasks that require root access. Casual users or those who are not comfortable with rooting their devices may find it less suitable.

Videos

Walkthroughs and reviews on video.

Vim 3 videos + Add
Root Explorer 3 videos + Add

What Vim Is and Why You Should Learn It

More videos

  • Review - JAC Vapour VIM Review - JAC does a side by side mod...
  • Review - Jac Vapour VIM - Quick Look

Root Explorer for Android review

More videos

  • Review - Root Explorer Android App Review
  • Review - Root explorer review

Category popularity

How often each product is chosen within a category, 0–100% relative to the other.

Score bands 0–20 21–40 41–50 51–60 61–100
Vim
Root Explorer
100% 100%
0% 0%
0% 0%
100% 100%
100% 100%
IDE
0% 0%
0% 0%
100% 100%

User comments

Share your experience with using Vim and Root Explorer. For example, how are they different and which one is better?

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Reviews and articles

External articles and on-site reviews we used to compare the two products.

Vim no reviews yet
Root Explorer no reviews yet
  • Boost Your Productivity with These Top Text Editors and IDEs
    convesio.com · Nov 2023

    Vim offers a variety of features like split windows, macros, and extensive customization options. It has a steep learning curve, but once you master it, you’ll be amazed at the speed and productivity it brings to your...

  • 13 Best Text Editors to Speed up Your Workflow
    kinsta.com · Sep 2023

    It’s tough to say which developers would enjoy Vim as a text editor. It’s an old system with an outdated interface. Yet, it still has the charm and powerful feature-set that the average developer needs. I would...

  • 12 Best LaTeX Editors You Should Use
    beebom.com · Dec 2021

    The entire installation process is perfectly documented on their Sourceforge page, which you must definitely pay a visit. There is another standalone Vim software, known as the gVim that brings a GUI-based interface...

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Social recommendations and mentions

Recommendations tracked on public social media and blogs since March 2021.

Vim 10 mentions
Root Explorer 0 mentions
  • regular Vim has lua?!
    Lua is quite small, encouraging distros to include it. The ubuntu gvim has, and the gvim AppImage linked from vim.org does. The default Makefile from github is set up to not include it, but you can uncomment one line there to get it. Source: over 3 years ago
  • is there a way to make highlighted text persistent after quit when using something like [match Search /\%'.line('.').'l/] ?
    I've not used vimwiki locally (tho I'm old enough to remember the Vim wiki on vim.org :), but I think what you are wanting to do is extend vimwiki's syntax file. I presume it installs one at $VIMRUNTIM/syntax or or ~/.vim/syntax. If... Source: almost 4 years ago
  • vim.org - Is there a reason for this 1800s-esque design?
    Vim.org has 242k total visitors, tailwindcss.com has 4.4m, planetscale.com has 412k, jpl.nasa.gov has 2.6m, all built with Tailwind, all several years younger than Vim's website. Unnecessary comparison, unnecessary defence. It's a... Source: almost 4 years ago

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Tracking Root Explorer since Mar 2021.

Alternatives to Vim and Root Explorer

When comparing Vim and Root Explorer, you can also consider the following products.