Those who use both Macs and PCs come to know the ups and downs of both, and end up being productive in any OS. However, there are always small differences that make one or another better. The Windows Explorer has always been sub par to the Finder in my eyes, and for this reason I have always shunned it preferring to use a third party program called Total Commander which many PC users utilize. While Total commander may be an ancient looking piece of software with strong similarities to the long extinct Norton Commander of the DOS age, but it is nevertheless a robust and very comprehensive piece of software, which is why many people prefer it. Now, a question that I hear often from switchers is: "Where can I find the Mac version of Total Commander?" While there is no official Mac version of Total Commander, there are quite a few third party programs that behave very much like it, so, today we take a look at such a program, namely Xfolders.

What it does
Xfolders is a file browser. However, while it in essence performs the same function as the Finder, it has a very different approach to it. It adopts a split view to show you your files, much like Transmit, however, here there is no ‘your stuff’ and ‘their stuff’, because everything is on your computer, so, instead you have your stuff on both the left and the right side, and you can copy and move files from one side to the other.

This layout is very different to the way the Finder works, and whether or not you prefer it is entirely up to you.

Like columns and

lists combined
The first thing I noticed when working with Xfolders is that there is no text ‘file path’ above the file display, instead there is a very OS X like row of buttons with all the folder names in the current hierarchy, which grows and shrinks as you more about the drive.

I initially thought this was just a cosmetic thing, however, clicking on the folder names, I realized that they were in fact buttons and acted like tabs. Furthermore, the standard Command + Left or Right Arrow shortcut moves you between them.
This approach is superb, because it combines the best elements of columns and lists. What is even better about it is that it also still performs the exact same function as the traditional file path in terms of letting you know where you are, and you can still copy the path by right clicking on it.

Holistic, I think not
One of the most attractive things about Total commander was how you could use it for great many things. You could connect to FTP servers from within in, batch rename files, preview and edit text files, listen to sound files and watch movie files, as well as decompress and uncompress files. All of these things functions were built-in, and most could be further enhanced by simply installing the appropriate codecs and plugins.

Unfortunately, Xfolders can do nothing of the sort, and is pretty much a file browser and nothing else. It does not even have the plugin support, so that the additional functionality can be added by the community. It does, however, include a very comprehensive list of utilities provided by Apple, which are all present in the toolbar, ready for removal because they really have no place there. To ad insult to injury, the toolbar is not even customizable like it is in the finder, meaning that other than the first five items, which are useful, you are left with lots of empty space and nothing to show for it.

Sings the same tune
Despite not having many of the advanced functions of Total Commander, Xfolders does feel very much like it when it comes to browsing files. The shortcuts and commands that exist behave in an identical manner, except for the file selection, which cannot be done entire through the keyboard. The information shown and the layout of the window are pretty much the same, so, regarding these aspects, it does a pretty decent job.

The Good
Very similar in look and feel to Total Commander when it comes to browsing files. The way the file path also works as a tab bar and you can switch between them is superb, and probably the best combination of the list and columns view you will ever see.

The Bad
Lack any of the other functions of Total Commander and can be described at best as a file browser only. Several other dubious design choices, such as the toolbar that cannot be customized make this program seem even more limited.

The Truth
If you simply cannot live without a Total Commander equivalent on the Mac, then this might serve as an appropriate substitute. In all fairness, if you only want the file browsing capabilities, then it’s not to bad, and worth the look even from veteran Mac users who are 100% comfortable with the Finder. The column list combo is well worth it.

Here are some screenshots, click to enlarge: