bat vs Midnight Commander: Pricing and Ratings Compared (2026)
Entry prices and free plans as read on each vendor's pricing page, and user ratings as published on review sites, for bat and Midnight Commander side by side. This page compares data; it is not a hands-on review.
On the data: On the data below the two are close or not directly comparable, so we do not name a winner for this pair.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
Based on published vendor pricing and features and on public review data, here's who should pick what:
bat
A `cat` command clone with syntax highlighting, Git integration, and more.
Best for you if:
- • You want better cat command
Midnight Commander
A visual, dual-pane file manager for text-mode environments.
Best for you if:
- • You want free and open-source software
| At a Glance | bat | Midnight Commander |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | Free 100% free | Free 100% free |
Category | Terminal Tools Developer Tools | Developer Tools Terminal Tools |
Rating | n/a | 4.6/5 SourceForge 4.8 · G2 4.0 13 reviews |
Free plan | Yes | Yes |
Watch out for | No overage fees or seat minimums. | n/a |
Choose bat or Midnight Commander?
Choose bat if
- You want better cat command
- You want syntax highlighting
- You work in terminal tools, not developer tools
Choose Midnight Commander if
- You want free and open-source software
- You want efficient for keyboard-driven file management
- You work in developer tools, not terminal tools
In-Depth Analysis
bat
A `cat` command clone with syntax highlighting, Git integration, and more.
The pricing for bat is exceptionally fair and generous, as it is entirely open-source and free.
Watch out
No overage fees or seat minimums.
Strengths
- Pro: Better cat command
- Pro: Syntax highlighting
- Pro: Git integration
- Pro: Fast performance
- Pro: Good defaults
Weaknesses
- Con: Learning new tool
- Con: Different from cat
- Con: Config for customization
- Con: Large binary
- Con: Rust dependency
Key features
Midnight Commander
A visual, dual-pane file manager for text-mode environments.
The pricing for Midnight Commander is exceptionally generous, as it is entirely free.
Strengths
- Pro: Free and open-source software
- Pro: Efficient for keyboard-driven file management
- Pro: Versatile across different terminal environments
- Pro: Includes essential built-in tools (editor, viewer, diff)
- Pro: Customizable with themes
Weaknesses
- Con: Text-mode interface may not appeal to all users
- Con: Requires familiarity with command-line environments
- Con: Learning curve for new users unfamiliar with similar tools
Key features
Plans and prices: bat vs Midnight Commander
| Tool | Plans and prices | Source |
|---|---|---|
| bat |
| github.com/sharkdp/bat read Oct 1, 2026 |
| Midnight Commander |
| midnight-commander.org read Oct 6, 2026 |
Prices as read on each vendor's own pricing page on the date shown. Plans are listed per tool and are not matched against the other tool's plans: a plan name or price in one column says nothing about the same row in the other. Details on bat pricing and Midnight Commander pricing.
Key Takeaways
bat
- Choose if you want a `cat` command clone with syntax highlighting, Git integration, and more
Midnight Commander
- Choose if you want a visual, dual-pane file manager for text-mode environments
What the data shows
On the data below the two are close or not directly comparable, so we do not name a winner for this pair.
- Only Midnight Commander has a published user rating (4.6/5 from 13 reviews); bat has none we can show.
- Both have a free plan.
Criteria: user rating (only above 20 reviews on both sides, gap of 0.2 or more), entry price (only on the same billing basis), free plan. How we rate
Frequently Asked Questions
How do bat and Midnight Commander compare in 2026?
On the data below the two are close or not directly comparable, so we do not name a winner for this pair. Only Midnight Commander has a published user rating (4.6/5 from 13 reviews); bat has none we can show. Both have a free plan.
What are bat and Midnight Commander used for?
bat: A `cat` command clone with syntax highlighting, Git integration, and more. Midnight Commander: A visual, dual-pane file manager for text-mode environments.
What does bat cost vs Midnight Commander?
bat is free. Midnight Commander is free. Prices read on the vendors' pricing pages, latest check Oct 6, 2026.
What's the main difference between bat and Midnight Commander?
bat's main strength: better cat command. Midnight Commander's main strength: free and open-source software.