ForkLift alternative for macOS, iPad & iPhone
EmpiricCommander vs ForkLift
ForkLift is a polished, mature dual-pane file manager for the Mac. EmpiricCommander covers the same dual-pane workflow and remote connections, then extends it to iPad and iPhone and folds in an integrated terminal, Git, and container browsing. Here is a straight comparison - including the things ForkLift still does better.
$29.99 one-time · no subscription · macOS, iPad & iPhone
ForkLift runs on macOS alone
No subscription, per major version
Without leaving the file manager
Feature-by-Feature Comparison
An honest side-by-side - including where ForkLift comes out ahead.
One app across your Mac, iPad, and iPhone
ForkLift is a Mac application. If your workflow is entirely on macOS, that is perfectly fine. But the moment you want the same dual-pane workflow, saved connections, and staged files on an iPad or iPhone, there is no ForkLift to install.
EmpiricCommander ships native apps for macOS, iPadOS, and iOS under a single license (1 Mac + 1 iPad + 1 iPhone). The Universal Shelf syncs staged files across them through iCloud, so a file you set aside on the Mac is waiting on the iPad.
- Same dual-pane model on Mac, iPad, and iPhone
- Saved SFTP/S3/WebDAV connections available on every device
- Universal Shelf staging synced via iCloud
Honest note: ForkLift has a decade of refinement on macOS. If macOS is your only platform, that maturity is a real advantage.
A file manager that includes the terminal, Git, and containers
ForkLift can open Terminal.app at the current folder. EmpiricCommander embeds a full terminal emulator whose working directory tracks the active pane, so you never lose your place switching windows.
Beyond the shell, EmpiricCommander treats developer workflows as first-class: a Git panel with stage, commit, branch switching, and a branch/merge topology graph (macOS), plus read-only browsing of Docker, Colima, and Lima container filesystems with auto-discovered sockets.
- Embedded terminal that follows the active pane
- Git: stage, commit, stash, branch graph, push/pull (macOS)
- Browse running container filesystems (read-only in v1)
- Locked Shelf: an AES-GCM encrypted vault for credentials
Honest note: container browsing is read-only in v1, and Git is macOS-only today.
Transfers and remote storage
Both apps are strong remote clients. EmpiricCommander connects over SFTP (pure-Swift Citadel, with host-key verification and password or key authentication), FTP/FTPS, WebDAV, Amazon S3 and S3-compatible endpoints (R2, Backblaze B2, Wasabi, MinIO), Azure Blob Storage, and OAuth-authenticated Google Drive. Credentials live in the system Keychain.
ForkLift's standout in this area is background folder synchronization and comparison, which EmpiricCommander does not have yet. If you rely on scheduled or one-click folder sync, that gap matters.
Competitor pricing and features cited here reflect early 2026 - check binarynights.com for the current ForkLift release.
Which One Is Right for You?
No tool wins on every axis. Here is where each genuinely fits.
Choose EmpiricCommander if
- You want the same workflow on iPad and iPhone, not just the Mac
- You live in the terminal and Git and want them in the file manager
- You browse Docker/Colima/Lima container filesystems
- You prefer a flat $29.99 over a higher one-time or Setapp subscription
- You want an encrypted vault for credentials built into the app
Choose ForkLift if
- You need background folder synchronization and comparison
- You only use macOS and value a long, proven track record
- You want native Dropbox plus AFP and NFS network shares
- You already pay for Setapp and want it bundled there
Frequently Asked Questions
Is EmpiricCommander a good ForkLift alternative?
Yes, if you want a dual-pane macOS file manager that also runs on iPad and iPhone and includes a terminal, Git, and container browsing. ForkLift remains the stronger choice if your priority is background folder synchronization or you only use macOS and value its long track record.
Does EmpiricCommander run on iPhone and iPad?
Yes. EmpiricCommander has native apps for macOS, iPadOS, and iOS. One $29.99 license covers 1 Mac, 1 iPad, and 1 iPhone. ForkLift is macOS-only.
Does EmpiricCommander do folder sync like ForkLift?
Not currently. ForkLift's background folder synchronization and comparison is a feature EmpiricCommander does not yet match. EmpiricCommander focuses on dual-pane browsing, remote connections, and developer tooling.
Is EmpiricCommander a subscription?
No. It is a $29.99 one-time purchase per major version, with a 7-day free trial that needs no credit card. Buy v1 and get all v1 updates; upgrade to a future major version later at a discount if you choose.
What remote protocols does EmpiricCommander support?
SFTP, FTP/FTPS, WebDAV, Amazon S3 and S3-compatible storage (Cloudflare R2, Backblaze B2, Wasabi, MinIO), Azure Blob Storage, Google Drive, and SMB/CIFS network shares on macOS. All credentials are stored in the system Keychain.