Below is a very detailed functions comparison list about 6 mainstream freeware "File Managers" on the Internet currently! AppNee hopes this can be useful and time-saving for the guys who are seeking some kind of quality free file managers.

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Features Comparison

Func/Soft UltraExplorer FreeCommander tabbyFile QTTabBar Xplorer2 Lite MDIE
Panel Single + Auxiliary window Dual Dual Single Dual Multiple
Window Layout Any size & position Horizontal + Vertical Fixed n/a Horizontal + Vertical Diversified
Window Divider Copy & Move Multi-functional n/a n/a n/a n/a
Tabbed Browsing Only main panel Has one each Share one Support Has one each Each tab as a window
Paging Drag folder to start Similar to browser Similar to browser Similar to browser Independent start button Similar to browser
Label Page Lock n/a n/a n/a Yes n/a Yes
Up One Level Double-click  blank, common position column Double-click  blank, improved position column Double-click  blank, common position column Double-click  blank, common position column Double-click  blank, improved position column Double-click  blank, common position column
Hierarchical Directory Browsing Toolbar & Window n/a n/a Need install QT AddressBar n/a n/a
Directory Tree Share  one Each has one n/a Windows default Share  one Share  one
Fast Folder Switch Disk only Built-in Disk only n/a Built-in n/a
Quick Filter Search Built-in Built-in, faster Built-in simple search, slower Built-in, faster n/a Built-in feature-rich search, slower
Full Filter Search Simple Full n/a Windows default Windows default Simple
Bookmark Single for single Single for both Group folder, unlimited Single group folder, unlimited Single for single Group folder, unlimited
History Independent for each page Left click position column to see for each panel n/a n/a Right click position column to see, independent for each page n/a
Recover Closed Page n/a Through history of position column n/a Customize to close history and its amount n/a Customize to close history and its amount
Mini Preview Customize size, quality and cache, with instant zoom bar Customize size, quality Windows default Windows default Customize size, quality Windows default
File Preview Window Support for image, text, PDF, HTML.... Support for image, text, PDF, HTML...., and built-in separate browsing window n/a Pop-up dialog to quick preview for picture & text Support for image, text Support for image, text
Shredder n/a Yes n/a n/a Yes n/a
Hotkeys n/a Yes Yes n/a n/a Yes
Custom Common Tools Yes Yes Yes Yes n/a Yes
Custom UI High plasticity A little more plasticity Little A few details General Detailed operation settings
Other Unique Functions
  • Multi-column hierarchy browsing
  • Temporary files container
  • Uncompress, instant view
  • Split file
  • Screenshot
  • MD5 check
  • Folder Syn
 Window always on-top
  • Combine with Windows
  • File Memos
  • Window transparency & always on-top
  • Instant folder content tree menu preview
  • Batch renaming
  • Sticky selection
  • Split file
  • Mouse gestures
  • Replace Windows Explorer
Unicode Yes n/a Yes Yes n/a Yes
Starting Speed The first time is a bit slow Fast Fast The first time is a bit slow Fast Fast
Resources Occupation Highest Medium Lowest Can not calculate Lower Lower