eza 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 eza 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:
eza
A modern, feature-rich command-line file lister for Unix and Linux systems.
Best for you if:
- • You want more feature-rich than the traditional 'ls' 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 | eza | Midnight Commander |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | Free 100% free | Free 100% free |
Category | Terminal Tools File Management | Developer Tools Terminal Tools |
Rating | n/a | 4.6/5 SourceForge 4.8 · G2 4.0 13 reviews |
Free plan | Yes | Yes |
Choose eza or Midnight Commander?
Choose eza if
- You want more feature-rich than the traditional 'ls' command
- You want improved user experience with better defaults and visual cues
- 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
eza
A modern, feature-rich command-line file lister for Unix and Linux systems.
Strengths
- Pro: More feature-rich than the traditional 'ls' command
- Pro: Improved user experience with better defaults and visual cues
- Pro: Fast and lightweight due to being written in Rust
- Pro: Actively maintained with ongoing bug fixes and improvements
- Pro: Wide availability across various operating systems and package managers
Weaknesses
- Con: Requires installation as it's not a default system utility
- Con: Command-line options are similar but not identical to 'ls', requiring a slight learning curve for some users
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: eza vs Midnight Commander
| Tool | Plans and prices | Source |
|---|---|---|
| eza | No plan prices on file | eza.rocks |
| 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 eza pricing and Midnight Commander pricing.
Key Takeaways
eza
- Choose if you want a modern, feature-rich command-line file lister for Unix and Linux systems
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); eza 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 eza 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); eza has none we can show. Both have a free plan.
What are eza and Midnight Commander used for?
eza: A modern, feature-rich command-line file lister for Unix and Linux systems. Midnight Commander: A visual, dual-pane file manager for text-mode environments.
What does eza cost vs Midnight Commander?
eza is free. Midnight Commander is free. Prices read on the vendors' pricing pages, latest check Oct 6, 2026.
What's the main difference between eza and Midnight Commander?
eza's main strength: more feature-rich than the traditional 'ls' command. Midnight Commander's main strength: free and open-source software.