Pathfinder 8
Modular–based Finder alternative
$40.00 From Cocoatech, cocoatech.com Needs OS X 10.11 or later
Apple’s default file manager has remained a vital part of the desktop GUI since the Macintosh debuted in 1984. Some Mac users might find it hard to be without, but that hasn’t stopped enterprising developers from trying their hand at third–party Finder alternatives like ForkLift and Transmit, all of which typically run as standalone applications that make it easier to browse and manage files from a dual–paned window.
At 17 years old, the venerable Path Finder could be considered the senior citizen of this elite faction. But it also remains the most powerful, since the software can be configured to completely quit the Finder, act as the default Terminal, and even perform basic text or image editing tasks directly. With version 8.0, Path Finder has had the first major overhaul since it originally debuted in 2001, having recently introduced a whole bunch of new ways to view and act upon files and folders.
Modules, for example, allow users to completely tailor the look of the Path Finder browser to their individual needs by dragging and dropping icons onto the app window. The concept isn’t technically new, since previous versions allowed up to four static modules in fixed positions. However, the new version is far more flexible as modules can now be placed and arranged anywhere you’d like, with independent control over the look and functionality of each.
The current lineup boasts 21 modules for viewing attributes, Cover Flow, image browser, recent documents or folders, an additional sidebar, or the ability to create a drop zone for opening files with another application. While it’s easy to go overboard and wind up with something that looks worse than a ‘90s–era Microsoft Word ribbon bar, this degree of customization makes Path Finder 8 stand apart from the competition.
Like many upgrades, Path Finder 8 does come with a few caveats — the sidebar is now a module, and as such can no longer be temporarily collapsed when not needed, for example. There’s also no way to save and restore window layouts, and users of older versions will need to devote some time to recreate their previous setup.
the bottom line. A venerable Finder alternative retooled for modern macOS.