Direct Download vs
Mac App Store

Captain's Deck is available in two versions: a full-featured Direct Download version and a Mac App Store version that complies with Apple's sandboxing requirements. Both are priced at €19.99.

Direct Download

Full functionality including embedded terminal, JavaScript plugins, process viewer, and privileged file operations. Updates via Sparkle.

Recommended for power users

Mac App Store

Sandboxed version with all core file management features. Some power features unavailable due to Apple's restrictions. Updates via App Store.

Get on App Store

Feature Comparison

See exactly what's available in each version.

Feature Direct Download Mac App Store
Basics
Price €19.99 €19.99
Updates Automatic (Sparkle) Via App Store
Sandboxed No Yes
Core File Management
Dual-pane interface Yes Yes
Tabs Yes Yes
Vim-style navigation (hjkl) Yes Yes
File operations (Copy, Move, Delete, Rename) Yes Yes
Batch rename Yes Yes
Quick Look preview Yes Yes
Flat view (recursive listing) Yes Yes
Views & Preview
List, Icon, Column views Yes Yes
Preview panel Yes Yes
Hex/binary preview Yes Yes
Image thumbnails Yes Yes
Search
Quick search (Cmd+F) Yes Yes
Quick filter (/) Yes Yes
Full search (Cmd+Shift+F) Yes Yes
Navigation & Organization
Bookmarks & Quick bookmarks (Cmd+1-9) Yes Yes
Workspaces Yes Yes
Dropstack Yes Yes
Remote Connections
SFTP / FTP Yes Yes
Amazon S3 / Backblaze B2 Yes Yes
WebDAV Yes Yes
Google Drive / OneDrive / Dropbox Yes Yes
SMB / AFP / NFS shares Yes Yes
Archives
Browse ZIP/RAR/7z archives Yes Yes
Create archives (ZIP, 7z, tar.gz) Yes Yes
Git Integration
Git status badges & file coloring Yes Yes
Stage/unstage, commit, diff Yes Yes
Sync & Compare
Folder sync (bidirectional) Yes Yes
FileMerge integration Yes Yes
Tools
App deleter Yes Yes
Process viewer Yes No
Themes
Modern theme Yes Yes
Norton Commander theme Yes Yes
Power Features (Direct Download Only)
Embedded terminal Yes No
Bidirectional terminal path sync Yes No
JavaScript plugins Yes No
Privileged file operations Yes No

Why Two Versions?

The Mac App Store version runs in Apple's App Sandbox, which provides additional security but restricts certain functionality:

  • Terminal: The sandbox doesn't allow spawning shell processes (PTY/fork)
  • Plugins: JavaScript execution is restricted in sandboxed apps
  • Process Viewer: Darwin system APIs are not accessible from the sandbox
  • Privileged Operations: SMJobBless helpers are not allowed in sandboxed apps

If you need these features, choose the Direct Download version.

Which Version Should I Choose?

Choose Direct Download if:

  • You want the embedded terminal for command-line work
  • You want to extend functionality with JavaScript plugins
  • You need to perform privileged file operations (system files)
  • You want the Process Viewer utility

Choose Mac App Store if:

  • You prefer the convenience of App Store updates
  • You want the security of Apple's sandbox
  • You don't need terminal integration or plugins
  • You want centralized app management

Download Captain's Deck

14-day free trial with all features unlocked. No credit card required.