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Midnight Commander

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A visual, dual-pane file manager for text-mode environments.

Free, no paid tier
Free Developer Tools Terminal Tools File Management
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Reviews on G2 SourceForge
13 reviews tracked

The Bottom Line

Price
Free, no paid tier. Compare plans

Key facts

  • Dual-pane, text-mode file manager for efficient file operations.
  • Includes integrated file viewer, editor, and diff tool.
  • Works across various terminal environments, including SSH.

Pros

  • Free and open-source software
  • Efficient for keyboard-driven file management
  • Versatile across different terminal environments
  • Includes essential built-in tools (editor, viewer, diff)
  • Customizable with themes

Cons

  • Text-mode interface may not appeal to all users
  • Requires familiarity with command-line environments
  • Learning curve for new users unfamiliar with similar tools

What is Midnight Commander?

Midnight Commander (mc) is a powerful, full-screen, text-mode file manager designed for command-line environments. It provides a visual, dual-pane interface that simplifies file management tasks such as copying, moving, deleting, and searching for files and directories. Built using versatile text interface libraries like ncurses or S-Lang, it operates seamlessly on regular consoles, within X Window terminals, and over SSH connections, making it ideal for remote server management and users who prefer a keyboard-driven workflow. This open-source tool includes an internal viewer, editor (mcedit), and diff viewer (mcdiff), enhancing its utility for developers, system administrators, and power users who frequently interact with file systems in a terminal. Its GNU General Public License ensures it is free software, promoting accessibility and community contributions. Users can also customize its appearance with various color schemes and themes.

Available on: Linux, macOS

Data compiled by Toolradar Pricing checked · How we evaluate
Source midnight-commander.org

Ratings Across the Web

4.6 (13 reviews)

Midnight Commander holds an aggregate rating of 4.6 out of 5 from 13 reviews across G2 and SourceForge, last checked March 19, 2026.

G2 2 reviews
4/5
SourceForge 11 reviews
4.8/5

Ratings aggregated from independent review platforms. Learn more

Key Features

  • Visual dual-pane interface
  • Copy, move, delete files and directories
  • Search for files
  • Execute commands in subshell
  • Internal file viewer (mcview)
  • Internal text editor (mcedit)
  • Internal diff viewer (mcdiff)
  • Context-sensitive online help (F1)

Pricing Plans

Pricing checked Oct 6, 2026. Source: midnight-commander.org, read Oct 6, 2026

Midnight Commander plans and prices, checked October 2026
Plan Price Details
Free

Free

  • visual, dual-pane file manager
  • copy, move, and delete files and entire directory trees
  • search for files
+5 more
  • execute commands in the subshell
  • internal viewer
  • editor
  • diff viewer
  • works on a regular console, inside an X Window terminal, over ssh connections, and in all kinds of remote shells
View full pricing

Is Midnight Commander worth the price?

Great value

The pricing for Midnight Commander is exceptionally generous, as it is entirely free.

This makes it an outstanding value for anyone needing a robust file manager without any financial commitment. It's best for individual users, developers, and system administrators looking for a powerful, no-cost solution.

Full Midnight Commander pricing: every plan, hidden costs and alternatives

Midnight Commander by the numbers

Midnight Commander compared with 132 File Management tools on Toolradar, as of Nov 2026
Metric Midnight Commander Peer median Position (1 is best)
Free plan Yes 63% have one n/a
Listed as an alternative to 3 tools 2 #39 of 132 (joint)

Listed as an alternative to: #38 on 2026-10-16 to #39 on 2026-11-02 (rank among 132 tools, 1 is best).

Each position is counted among the tools that have data for that row, as noted under it. All File Management data · How we compute this. Advertising and placement fees are not inputs to any position.

Cite this: Toolradar, “Midnight Commander by the numbers”, Nov 2026.

Reviews

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4.6/5

Across 13 verified user reviews on SourceForge, G2

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Still deciding?

Most buyers shortlist 2 or 3 tools before committing. Pull a side-by-side comparison or browse the full alternatives shortlist below.

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Midnight Commander FAQ

How does Midnight Commander assist with remote server management?

Midnight Commander operates seamlessly over SSH connections, making it an ideal tool for managing files and directories on remote servers. Its text-mode interface is efficient in command-line environments, providing a visual way to handle server files.

Which teams would benefit most from using Midnight Commander?

Developers, system administrators, and power users who frequently interact with file systems in a terminal environment would find Midnight Commander most beneficial. It supports a keyboard-driven workflow and includes built-in tools like an editor and diff viewer.

How is Midnight Commander priced?

Midnight Commander is free to use, as it is distributed under the GNU General Public License. There are no paid plans required to access its features.

What kind of trade-offs does Midnight Commander present to new users?

Midnight Commander's text-mode interface might not appeal to all users, especially those accustomed to graphical user interfaces. It also has a learning curve for individuals unfamiliar with command-line environments or similar tools.

Can Midnight Commander be customized?

Yes, Midnight Commander allows users to customize its appearance. It supports various color schemes and themes, enabling personalization of the interface.

How does Midnight Commander compare to Nushell?

Midnight Commander provides a visual, dual-pane file manager for text-mode environments, focusing on file management tasks like copying and moving. Nushell, in contrast, is a shell that aims to be a modern command-line environment, offering structured data capabilities.

Does Midnight Commander include an integrated text editor?

Yes, Midnight Commander includes an internal editor called mcedit. This built-in tool enhances its utility for users who need to view and modify files directly within the file manager.

Source: midnight-commander.org

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