When comparing Double Commander vs QTTabBar, the Slant community recommends Double Commander for most people. In the question“What are the best file managers for Windows?” Double Commander is ranked 10th while QTTabBar is ranked 14th. The most important reason people chose Double Commander is:
You can use same tool in all desktop OS environments.
Specs
Ranked in these QuestionsQuestion Ranking
Pros
Pro Multi-platform (Linux, Windows, MacOS X)
You can use same tool in all desktop OS environments.
Pro Source code is available (true free software)
If the developer loses interest there is at least the possibility that someone else will pick up the torch.
Pro Configurable
Lots of options allow you to configure DC the way it suits you best: Tools, Fonts, Colors, Hotkeys, Mouse, Fileviews, Plugins, Layout, Toolbars, Tabs, Icons etc.
Pro Directory Hotlist
Save shortcuts to folders. Organize them in a treeview with submenus. Define a name and sorting for each entry.
Pro Powerful tcmd-like search tool (alt+F7)
Pro tcmd-like multi-rename tool (CTRL+M)
Pro DC uses TCmd plugin API
so you can use documentation from Total Commander for writing plugins. WCX (packer), WDX (content), WFX (file system), WLX (lister).
Pro Closely follows TotalCommander UX
For instance, the 'Settings | Layout' pane is quasi-identical to TCs.
Pro Very sophisticated
Although it is lightweight and simple to use, it can do very sophisticated tasks, like copying files from directories which have a certain extension or file size or have a certain text pattern in them. Also, it's very customizable and stable.
Pro It's that good, you can replace tcmd on windows too
Pro Source code written in (Object) PASCAL
It's all a matter of perspective. I'm not for an argument about IDE's, frameworks etc, but to me that's a big plus. I think it should be a tie, it's either a pro or a con or should that be neither a pro nor a con. It just depends on context.
Pro Middle click/Ctrl+click to open new tab
Pro Allows you to simply add tabs to File Explorer which suit the design
Pro Plugin support
The program can be enhanced further by plugins for a variety of purposes.
Pro Good drag and drop options
Pro Preview popup buttons
Pro Ctrl+arrow keys for navigation between different tabs
Pro Ctrl+tab to go from tab to tab
Cons
Con Apparently only one developer
Con Freeze after mouse double-click on directory list item
Con Much slower on Linux and Mac than on Windows
Con Source code written in Pascal language
But this does not affect users negatively. It's just programmers problem.
Con Not developed anymore for Mac
Con Can't edit files on remote FTP servers
Con Options menu almost unusable on some high resolution displays
Options menu almost unusable on some high resolution displays, for example Surface Pro 4 2736X1824 and 225% magnification (scaling issues). Interestingly, works ok on external display 3840X2160 with 150% magnification.
Con Possibly abandoned project
Not updated since 2019-3-24. No response from developer. Is the project dead?