Ghost Commander
Ghost Commander is a free, two-panel file manager for Android.
What Ghost Commander is
Ghost Commander is a free, two-panel file manager for Android. Each panel can display files from a different location, and the app supports copying, moving, deleting, renaming, and creating files and folders. It can browse classic deflate ZIP archives, extract files, and create or modify ZIP archives. Encrypted ZIP files and other compression algorithms are not supported. For network access, it supports FTP and SMB, with an SFTP plugin available. Plugins are listed for Dropbox, Google Drive, and Box; transfers between cloud locations download to the device and upload from there. On rooted devices, root mode can change file permissions and ownership, run shell commands, and remount partitions. Search works only on the native file system, not in root mode, SAF mode, or network locations. The maker says saved credentials are encrypted but does not guarantee complete confidentiality. FTP credentials are sent unencrypted, and FTPS is unsupported. Ghost Commander is licensed under GNU GPL version 3, with distribution through SourceForge and F-Droid.
Good
- Two panels can display different file locations.
- Supports copying, moving, renaming, and creating files and folders.
- Connects to FTP and SMB shares.
- Cloud plugins are listed for Dropbox, Google Drive, and Box.
- Root mode provides file-permission and shell tools.
Watch out
- Encrypted ZIP files and other compression algorithms are unsupported.
- FTP credentials are sent unencrypted; FTPS is unsupported.
- Search excludes root mode, SAF mode, and network locations.
- Cloud-to-cloud transfers pass through the device.
Who it suits
It suits Android users who want to manage files across two locations, archives, or network shares. Root tools are available for users with rooted devices.
Verdict
Ghost Commander covers common file operations and offers network, cloud-plugin, and root-mode options. Check its archive and search limits, and avoid FTP if unencrypted credentials are a concern.
The facts
Each one read from Ghost Commander's own pages, with the date it was checked.
What it does
- Archives
- It can browse and modify classic ZIP archives, but encrypted ZIP files and ZIP files using other compression algorithms are not supported.checked 30 Sep 2026
- Archive support
- Yeschecked 24 Sep 2026
- Availability
- The maker links to SourceForge for release APKs and source code, and says F-Droid also distributes the app.checked 28 Sep 2026
- Batch rename
- Yeschecked 24 Sep 2026
- Cloud integrations
- The maker lists Dropbox, Google Drive, and Box plugins; cloud file copies download to the device and upload from there.checked 30 Sep 2026
- Cloud storage access
- Yeschecked 24 Sep 2026
- Credential security
- The maker says saved credentials are encrypted, while cautioning that hack-proof confidentiality is not guaranteed.checked 28 Sep 2026
- Credential storage
- The maker says saved credentials are encrypted but does not guarantee hack-proof confidentiality.checked 30 Sep 2026
- Dual-pane view
- Yeschecked 24 Sep 2026
- File operations
- It supports copying, moving, deleting, renaming, and creating files and folders.checked 30 Sep 2026
- FTP security limitation
- The help page says FTP credentials are sent unencrypted and FTPS is unsupported; it points users to the SFTP plugin as an alternative.checked 28 Sep 2026
- License
- The maker states that Ghost Commander is distributed under the GNU General Public License version 3.checked 28 Sep 2026
- License and availability
- The application is licensed under GNU GPL version 3, and the maker links to SourceForge and F-Droid for distribution.checked 30 Sep 2026
- Network access
- It supports FTP and SMB network shares, and its help page says an SFTP plugin is available.checked 28 Sep 2026
- Network protocols
- It supports FTP, SMB, and SFTP; the maker says FTP credentials are sent unencrypted and FTPS is not supported.checked 30 Sep 2026
- Privacy
- The maker says the application does not collect, transfer, or sell personal information and does not show ads.checked 30 Sep 2026
- Product
- Ghost Commander is a two-panel file manager for Android, inspired by Norton Commander and Midnight Commander.checked 30 Sep 2026
- Purpose
- Ghost Commander is a two-panel file manager for Android, with each panel able to show files from a different location.checked 28 Sep 2026
- Root tools
- On rooted devices, root mode can change file permissions and ownership, execute shell commands, and remount partitions.checked 30 Sep 2026
- Search limitation
- File search works only on the native file system; root mode, Storage Access Framework mode, and network locations do not support it.checked 30 Sep 2026
- Support
- The FAQ directs users to a feature request forum and describes how to save a logcat file for troubleshooting.checked 30 Sep 2026
Money
- Free plan
- Yeschecked 24 Sep 2026
The company
- Headquarters
- Kunitachi, Tokyo, Japanchecked 28 Sep 2026
Where it runs
- Supported platforms
- androidchecked 24 Sep 2026
Alternatives to Ghost Commander
- 1
Filestash
Free planOpen sourceAndroidiOSWebAPI9.2From $50 a month - 2
Owlfiles
Free planAndroidiOSExtensionmacOS8.7From $12.99 a year - 3
WinSCP
Free planOpen sourceWindows7.9Free plan - 4
Dolphin
Free planOpen sourceLinuxWindows7.8Free plan - 5
FileRun
AndroidiOSWebAPI7.8From €9.90 a year - 6
OneCommander
Free planWindows7.8$30 one-time