Beyond Finder: 3 programs to further boost your productivity
Finder is great. We’ve already said that in the “Finder for macOS: popular and less known features” post, which, as the name suggests, covered the essentials and went beyond to give you tools the default macOS file management app has somewhat outside the regular user’s field of view. And while this program is as sleek as any other piece of software by Apple, there is still room for improvement. Some lacunas in Finder’s usability are filled by third party apps; this post gives you three of them, focusing on those that can really up your productivity and not just add bells and whistles.
1. Path Finder
Path Finder is what true power users install when Finder’s tools and controls just don’t cut it. As a matter of fact, in its current iteration, Path Finder is not an extension to the macOS built-in file manager, but a replacement or a supplementing option for it. The software was designed with workflow streamlining in mind; if you need more flexibility and interface customization options, take this program for a spin.
Key Features of Path Finder
- Dual-pane interface.
- Built-in image and text editors.
- Terminal integration.
- Temporary clipboard for files (drop stack).
- Advanced search and filtering.
- Integration with cloud services.
You can try Path Finder for 30 days, and then, if you like it, choose one of the subscription plans (start at $2.95/month) or buy a license that gives you a year of updates and permission to use the program afterwards as long as you want.
Download Path Finder from Informer catalog
2. ForkLift
ForkLift is much like Path Finder in terms of its independence from Finder. It is a robust file management client that focuses on file transfers and facilitation of remote connections. A multi-protocol tool, it is a good choice for those who need to upload work to servers, and manage it there.
Key features of ForkLift
- Dual-pane interface.
- Support for FTP, SFTP, WebDAV, and more.
- Easy syncing between local and remote directories.
- Folder comparison.
- Built-in text editor.
- Integration with cloud services.
ForkLift can be taken for a test drive, and purchased under one of three plans, with prices starting at $19.95 for a single-user lifetime license with 1 year of updates.
ForkLift4 in the Informer catalog
3. HoudahSpot
If you ever wished Finder’s search and filtering were more robust, we have good news: HoudahSpot addresses this problem specifically. The default macOS file manager is good at searching for files – the name of the app isn’t for nothing, after all – but in some scenarios, you just need more. HoudahSpot is an essential tool for those who have to work with large collections of files, as it streamlines the process of finding specific documents, images, or other data.
Key features of HoudahSpot
- Advanced search criteria with multiple filters (file name, content, date created, etc.).
- Customizable search templates, saveable for later use.
- File preview option.
- Drag and drop from search results to anywhere.
- Integration with default and some third-party apps.
- Detailed file information, down to core metadata.
- Searching in cloud storages (if indexed by Spotlight).
HoudahSpot is available for a free trial, and can then be purchased for permanent use, with prices starting at $29 for a single-user licence and a year of updates.
