Duc vs exa: Which Should You Choose in 2026?
Choosing between Duc and exa comes down to understanding what each tool does best. This comparison breaks down the key differences so you can make an informed decision based on your specific needs, not marketing claims.
By Toolradar Team · Last updated February 28, 2026 · Methodology
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
Duc
Duc
Best for you if:
- • You need duc
- • You want to start free and upgrade later
exa
Modern replacement for ls
Best for you if:
- • You want the higher-rated option (7.3/10 vs 0.0/10)
- • You need something completely free
- • AI-powered terminal with natural language
- • Search files and run commands with plain English
| At a Glance |  Duc |  exa |
|---|---|---|
Price | Free + Paid | Free |
Best For | Terminal Tools | Terminal Tools |
Rating | —/100 | 73/100 |
| Feature | Duc | exa |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Free |
| Editorial Score | — | 73 |
| Community Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Total Reviews | 0 | 0 |
| Community Upvotes | 0 | 0 |
| Categories | Terminal ToolsFile Management | Terminal ToolsFile Management |
How Duc and exa Compare
Duc
Duc
Free tier available
exa
Modern replacement for ls
Free · 73/100 score
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
exa is free. Duc is freemium.
Go with: exa
Want the highest-rated option?
exa scores 73/100. Duc is unrated.
Go with: exa
Value user reviews?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: exa
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Duc is freemium. exa is free. Go with exa if free matters most.
What's your use case?
Both are terminal tools tools. Compare their specific features to decide.
How important are ratings?
Not all tools have been rated yet.
Key Takeaways
exa
- Higher score: 73/100 vs unrated
- Completely free
- Our pick for this comparison
Duc
The Bottom Line
exa (73/100) is our pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Duc or exa better?
exa scores 73/100 in our evaluation. Duc is freemium and exa is free.
What are Duc and exa used for?
Duc: Duc. exa: Modern replacement for ls.
What does Duc cost vs exa?
Duc is freemium (free tier + paid plans). exa is completely free. Visit their websites for detailed pricing.