ForkLift 4 is a great file manager, but Captain's Deck offers unique features it doesn't have: bidirectional terminal sync, Vim-style keyboard navigation, a JavaScript plugin system, and a nostalgic Norton Commander theme. Plus comprehensive Git integration. All at a lower price.
Both are excellent dual-pane file managers for Mac. Here's what sets Captain's Deck apart.
| Feature | Captain's Deck | ForkLift 4 |
|---|---|---|
| Dual-Pane Interface | Yes | Yes |
| Bidirectional Terminal Sync | Yes | No |
| Vim-Style Navigation (hjkl) | Yes | No |
| Norton Commander Theme | Yes | No |
| JavaScript Plugin System | Yes | No |
| SFTP/SSH Support | Yes | Yes |
| S3 Cloud Storage | Yes | Yes |
| Git Integration | Yes | Yes |
| Price | $19.99 | $29.95 |
ForkLift is mouse-friendly but Captain's Deck is built for keyboard power users. Vim-style hjkl navigation, F-key shortcuts for copy/move/delete, and comprehensive keyboard shortcuts that let you manage files without touching the mouse.
Captain's Deck's terminal is truly integrated with bidirectional sync. Navigate in the file browser, the terminal follows. Run cd in the terminal, the browser updates. ForkLift's terminal is just a separate panel without this deep integration.
Create custom functionality with JavaScript plugins. Add context menu items, automate workflows, integrate with external services. ForkLift has no equivalent extensibility system.
Captain's Deck is $19.99 one-time purchase. ForkLift 4 is $29.95. You get more features for less money. Both offer free trials so you can compare them yourself.
Download the free 14-day trial. No credit card required. All features unlocked.