Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

PathFinder alternatives

AZhappyjack

AZhappyjack

Suspended
Original poster
Jul 3, 2011
10,183
23,662
Happy Jack, AZ
Cocoatech just updated PathFinder to version 9. They also appear to have altered their pricing scheme. I've been a customer for years... starting with v4. Prior to v8, you could install it on multiple computers. AFAIK, there was no limit th the number of computers, and according to license, that was ok, as long as they were owned by the same person/family. With V8, they limited the install to THREE computers. If you wanted a fourth, you had to buy another "3-pack". I swallowed hard, and just didn't update two of my computers.

Now, with V9, it appears that they want you to pay for each install.

With that said, I am looking for an alternative, as I will not play this game.

So, whatcha got?
 
  • Like
Reactions: Edinburgh and foliovision
dwfaust said:
Now, with V9, it appears that they want you to pay for each install.

With that said, I am looking for an alternative, as I will not play this game.
Click to expand...

I only use it on one machine so I will stick with Path Finder. I noticed that they are licensing PF 9 to those who have PF 8 for a year. I found out that means a new licensed copy of PF 8 will unlock PF 9 but for only a year. Anyway, I paid the $18.00 for the upgrade. I've tried other file managers and none come anywhere near to what Path Finder does. Too bad they changed the licensing requirements.
 
tosbsas said:
Never had a paíd Programm with so many bugs as Pathfinder. From not showing folder sizes to hangs and chrashes. Its incredible. And probably the Worst support board I have Ever Seen.

Toooo Bad That TC Commander dev Never Made it to macos
Click to expand...

I have to agree... there are bugs... and their support is atrocious... but I have come to rely on the functionality...
 
I like how Cocoatech announces Path Finder 9 in a blog post which explains their new pricing scheme in detail, but doesn't mention with a single word what is actually new in PF9… 🤔

I also like how they don't want to switch their pricing scheme to subscriptions, but then go on to elaborate a scheme which is a de facto subscription…

Anyway, alternatives: ForkLift is great. It's fast, stable (after some initial teething pains), and much less bloated than Path Finder ever was.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Edinburgh, foliovision, Fireproof! and 4 others
In my opinion PathFinder has been on a decline for a few years. They rewrote the code for PF8, but it ended up being less functional than PF7 (just take a look at the number of people still asking for the reinstatement of the simple shelf from PF7 on their support site - yes that includes me!). There are other features of PF7 missing in PF8 too. So while I have tried PF8 twice I always returned to PF7, despite its instability (one or two crashes a day).

I also find it astonishing that in that entire blog about PF9 there is no indication that PF9 is not entirely identical to PF8 except for a complex new pricing model. Bizarre.

I have downloaded and tried Forklift for an hour, and am encouraged so far. I've taken a bit of time to set up favourites in it (effectively a shelf from PF!!) and will give it a couple of weeks as a try-out. It could finally be a solution for me.
 
  • Like
Reactions: foliovision
Searched “Pathfinder” for just this discussion.

Glad to see others are in the same boat. Also glad to learn about the alternatives. Will check out ForkLift and maybe Marta.
 
I've been testing ForkLift for a couple of days... and ready to make the move. I've emailed BinaryNights (makers of ForkLift) to ask about a "competitive upgrade" price... but regardless, I am ditching PathFinder for good, in favor of ForkLift.

Huge thanks to all who offered suggestions for alternatives...
 
  • Like
Reactions: Janichsan and Fireproof!
Hi guys i have created a forum question about uninstalling xtrafinder, and currently having a hard time, anyone care to help out? support is nowhere to help.

forums.macrumors.com

Uninstallation of Xtrafinder for MacOS Catalina

Hi i am having trouble uninstalling xtrafinder under Macos catalina, emailed the support but to no avail. it is stated in the installer: To uninstall XtraFinder: Disable System Integrity Protection Delete XtraFinderPlugins.bundle from directory...
forums.macrumors.com forums.macrumors.com
 
Cardsnk said:
Hi guys i have created a forum question about uninstalling xtrafinder, and currently having a hard time, anyone care to help out? support is nowhere to help.

forums.macrumors.com

Uninstallation of Xtrafinder for MacOS Catalina

Hi i am having trouble uninstalling xtrafinder under Macos catalina, emailed the support but to no avail. it is stated in the installer: To uninstall XtraFinder: Disable System Integrity Protection Delete XtraFinderPlugins.bundle from directory...
forums.macrumors.com forums.macrumors.com
Click to expand...

Exactly why I have avoided xtrafinder. All of this jumping through hoops to install and update (and now, uninstall) seems like a lot unnecessary drama...
 
  • Like
Reactions: Big Bad D
Thats true - its a mess, but I have yet to find a Real Finder Placement and xtra Finder gives me that with dual window
 
tosbsas said:
Thats true - its a mess, but I have yet to find a Real Finder Placement and xtra Finder gives me that with dual window
Click to expand...

While the OP has stated that he dislikes Path Finder because of its new license scheme, in my opinion it's still the best substitute for Finder. Path Finder has recently posted updates to the new version 9, now at 9.03. And you don't have to jump thru hoops to install it or uninstall it.
 
chscag said:
While the OP has stated that he dislikes Path Finder because of its new license scheme, in my opinion it's still the best substitute for Finder. Path Finder has recently posted updates to the new version 9, now at 9.03. And you don't have to jump thru hoops to install it or uninstall it.
Click to expand...

As the "OP", let me clarify. The pricing scheme (subscription that they call a "non-subscription") is the last straw. There are a number of issues, including ever-decreasing quality, bugs, horrible support and, TBH, all Cocoatech talked about in the announcement is the new pricing scheme - no new features, nothing but "we're changing how we charge for this" in a way that impacts existing customers negatively...

I switched to ForkLift, got a competitive upgrade price and am loving it. No looking back for the "OP".
 
  • Like
Reactions: Edinburgh, foliovision, allan.nyholm and 1 other person
chscag said:
While the OP has stated that he dislikes Path Finder because of its new license scheme, in my opinion it's still the best substitute for Finder. Path Finder has recently posted updates to the new version 9, now at 9.03. And you don't have to jump thru hoops to install it or uninstall it.
Click to expand...

But you can’t know foldersizes at the Moment of looking at them, search is not working as it does in Finder and Forklift, touchbar Integration is non existent - After more than two years After the release of TB .....

Imho ist has potential but the Devs are looking elsewhere. Just check the forum. Mostly its try to un install and install although but at least there are some answers. Xtrafinder there are none and Forklift is pretty much the Same. I am coming from iOS and Windows and App Support is in another league. Seems that macos Devs are not very support oriented.
 
tosbsas said:
But you can’t know foldersizes at the Moment of looking at them, search is not working as it does in Finder and Forklift, touchbar Integration is non existent - After more than two years After the release of TB .....

Imho ist has potential but the Devs are looking elsewhere. Just check the forum. Mostly its try to un install and install although but at least there are some answers. Xtrafinder there are none and Forklift is pretty much the Same. I am coming from iOS and Windows and App Support is in another league. Seems that macos Devs are not very support oriented.
Click to expand...

On the Windows platform (> 12 years ago), I used a program called WindowCommander (until Micro$oft made them change the name to TotalCommander). It was a joy to use - feature packed and dual column "finder". No such beast on macOS. I had great hopes for Path Finder early on, but clearly, they are not the answer. Again, ForkLift is working out quite nicely for me these days.
 
xtrafinder has an update with install and uninstall command. If you already have xtrafinder installed you need to delete the bundle but after disabling sip the commands work perfect. Than enable Sip again and you are good to go - love it. Its finder on steroids, its not Total Commander but its a good advance towards it
 
tosbsas said:
xtrafinder has an update with install and uninstall command. If you already have xtrafinder installed you need to delete the bundle but after disabling sip the commands work perfect. Than enable Sip again and you are good to go - love it. Its finder on steroids, its not Total Commander but its a good advance towards it
Click to expand...

Good to know. I might put this on my testing list!

I am currently trying out Forklift, which I like. Nice clean interface, and does pretty much all I need it to do. But I will try PF9. I was using PF7, and hated PF8 but it might be worth a shot. Has anyone else here tried PF9?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back