Compare software

fd vs plocate: catalog facts
fd	plocate
Best for: Finding a file when you remember part of its name	Best for: Linux users who want instant file name searches across a whole system
Free Free and open source, dual licensed under the Apache 2.0 and MIT licences.	Free Free and open source.
Windows, macOS, Linux, Command line	Linux, Command line
One short argument instead of find's syntax Smart case: case-insensitive until your pattern contains a capital All 4 strengths for fd One short argument instead of find's syntax Smart case: case-insensitive until your pattern contains a capital Parallel traversal and parallel command execution Respects gitignore and skips hidden files by default	Very fast file name lookups Smaller index than mlocate All 3 strengths for plocate Very fast file name lookups Smaller index than mlocate Drop-in replacement for the system locate
Command line only Does not aim to cover all of find's functionality All 4 limitations for fd Command line only Does not aim to cover all of find's functionality The opinionated defaults need flags to turn off Not present by default on any system	Linux only Results are only as fresh as the last index update
Downloadable app	Downloadable app
Open source	Open source
License: Apache-2.0	License: GPL-2.0-or-later
No account needed	No account needed
Offline features available	Offline features available
Official website Full listing and sources Sources for fd github.com/sharkdp/fd Catalog checked September 21, 2026	Official website Full listing and sources Sources for plocate plocate.sesse.net Catalog checked September 23, 2026

“Not stated” means we have not confirmed it. Features can vary by device and plan.