Windows Explorer is a great file manager, but there are plenty of alternatives if you want something different. Here are five of the best:

  1. FileZilla: FileZilla is a popular cross-platform FTP client with a user-friendly interface. It’s fast and reliable, and has support for many file types.
  2. Cyberduck: Cyberduck is another popular cross-platform FTP client with a user-friendly interface. It’s fast and reliable, and has support for many file types.
  3. Transmit: Transmit is a powerful FTP client with support for multiple protocols and filetypes. It’s also very fast and easy to use.
  4. Coda: Coda is an award-winning Mac OS X app that lets you manage your files remotely from any computer with an internet connection. It’s powerful, easy to use, and has tons of features including support for syncing files between devices.
  5. FileZilla Server: If you need a more comprehensive solution than FileZilla offers, FileZilla Server is the perfect option! It includes features like remote access, secure storage, and more ..

Earlier this week we asked you to share your favorite alternatives to Window’s native file explorer. Now we’re back to highlight your suggestions, tips, and tricks.

Reading the comments it becomes readily apparent that if you’ve taken the time to replace Windows Explorer with something else then you’ve really done your homework. Readers were quite passionate about their favorite Explorer alternatives. Shawn Murdock gives us a detailed run down on why he loves XYplorer:

Shawn had us at the whole portable file associations bit—that sounds like a fantastic feature!

Its also completely portable. You can also have portable file extensions (totally awesome). Example: define the extension PDF to open PDFXchange viewer off or your usb stick running XYplorer.

The mini tree is really cool. This allows you to have a smaller, cleaner, directory tree made up of only directories you use, or are interested in at that moment; no more giant structures to scroll through looking for things.

The user buttons can run apps, run scripts, open folders, almost anything and are portable aware. XYplorer has colored files by extension, custom color file tags, colored branches of the directory tree, an excellent search system, custom labels, favorite files / folders. Just so many features that make this the best explorer for anyone. It can be as complicated and techy as you want; or just as simple as you want.

As for the price, just watch Bits Du Jur. It comes up for sale every couple of months. I have seen it twice since I bought it early this year. You can get a lifetime license for 50% off. I really did not want to spend money and I really liked Qdir and Cubic but I needed more. The scripting system allows me to automate my home config and my usb config and keep them in sync. This has saved me tons of time. I highly recommend!

Directory Opus was another popular reader choice. Scott weighs in with his favorite features:

Although nobody wrote a lengthy review of it, xplorer² received a mountain of recommendations. Mark writes:

For more reader tips, tricks, and favorite Explorer alternatives, hit up the full comment thread here.