Compare software

ranger vs Vifm: catalog facts
ranger	Vifm
Free Free and open source under the GNU General Public Licence version 3.	Free Free to download, with optional sponsorship through GitHub Sponsors.
macOS, Linux, Command line	Windows, Linux, Command line
Three-column view makes navigating a deep directory tree easy to follow rifle works out the right program to open each file type automatically	Vim keybindings and commands for file management Full keyboard control
Python startup makes it noticeably slower than Go or Rust alternatives The last release was November 2024 and development has slowed	Steep learning curve for people new to Vim Terminal interface only
Downloadable app	Downloadable app
Open source	Closed source
License: GPL-3.0	License not stated
No account needed	No account needed
Works offline	Works offline
Official website Full listing and sources Checked September 21, 2026	Official website Full listing and sources Checked September 23, 2026

Catalog facts only. Anything “not stated” is unconfirmed. Check full listings for details.