If you’re looking for file management software for your Mac, you probably already know what’s wrong with Finder. Xfile solves those problems, and probably solves problems you didn’t even know you had. My top 5 reasons Xfile is the best file manager suite available for OS X.

#1: Speed

Xfile is the fastest file manager available for OS X. It’s not just the fastest available, it’s likely the fastest that will ever be made. Put it to the test: Xfile and associated applications (like Xscan and Xfind) are fully initialized by the time the dock icon bounces once. Click the icon and start managing files. It’s that fast to start, and it’s that fast when it runs. The refreshes are instantaneous – no waiting 15 seconds for Finder to get around to what you want. This is possible not through tricks but through quality engineering. Xfile was clearly designed to manage files, not sing you a song while you wait for it to catch up.

#2: Most Complete

Xfile, as I mentioned, was built to manage files. Because of this, there is no door closed to you. Xfile lets you set executable (X) bits, unlike Finder and similar Mac file managers. Unix has 8 file types: named pipe/FIFO; block device; character device; socket; symbolic link; whiteout; directory; and ordinary (regular) file. You can see them with Xfile, not with Finder and similar file management software. Remember how everyone had a fit trying to transfer their songs from the iPod? The problem and solution was in the file manager, and Xfile users never had that problem. They could see the files they owned on the devices they owned, as it should be.

In addition, Xfile gives you control of sticky bits, which Finder doesn’t show you. Same story with set ID bits, which can be security holes if misplaced. Since you can’t see them with Finder, how would you know if they were misplaced? Xfile also shows you extended system/user flags (user no dump, user immutable, user append, user opaque, user no unlink, user hidden, system archived, system immutable, system append, system no unlink, and system snapshot), hard links, and metadata.

If the purpose of file management software is to manage your files, don’t you have to see them first? Finder won’t show you what it thinks you shouldn’t know. Xfile shows you everything, and anything that is possible within the file system is possible with Xfile. Ever tried to save a file only to be told it wasn’t possible? Ever had a file you simply couldn’t get rid of? That’s because you weren’t using Xfile.

#3: Handles All File System Drivers

This is crucial because Finder and the other most well-known alternatives can’t even handle the file system drivers you already have on your hard drive – much less the ones expected to come shortly! Xfile handles fdesc, volfs, ZFS and HFS. It’s written to use only portable Unix file system APIs, so that it is ready for any file system driver that comes its way.

#4: Stable

Xfile is stable. File managers must be robust. Your file system is your most precious resource. You can have programs that crash or even operating systems that crash but you simply cannot risk any mishaps with your file system. Xfile is deliberately written with this in mind so it protects you far better than any other tool out there. Xfile is the definition of rock solid.

#5: Safe & Secure

It’s amazing what you can do to screw up your file system if you rely on Finder or other file managers. You can wipe out entire directories with a wayward click of your pointing device. Should this be possible? Of course not! But it is possible with Finder and other file managers. Xfile won’t let you get near such things. Remember those eight Unix file types? Xfile not only stops you from overwriting directories with files; it stops you from any type of file mismatch. You simply cannot shoot yourself in the foot. Should you be able to shoot yourself in the foot if you really want to? In some cases, yes; in this case, absolutely not. Never. Xfile protects you.

Xfile really is the best file manager for OS X, for the reasons above and so many more. It’s unlike any other software available, in a good way.

Stephen E. Ellis appreciates good design in everything: from his citrus juicer to his computer, he respects things that were designed to work the best way possible. He was delighted to find Xfile because it was so clearly software designed well. He’s since found that rixstep’s software is known for this.