Shuffle is a free and open source file manager for macOS - a fast, native alternative to Finder. It is GPU-rendered with Metal and built in Rust, so it stays instant even in folders with 100,000+ items, and adds power-user tools like dual panes, tabs, a command palette, and deep theming.

Yes. The full Shuffle app is completely free and open source under the MIT license. A one-time purchase for extra power-user features may be added someday, but there will never be subscriptions.

Is Shuffle a good Finder alternative?

Shuffle is designed as a Finder alternative for power users who find macOS file managers either too limited or too slow. It offers dual-pane split views, tabs, a millisecond fuzzy command palette, an optional terminal mode, QuickLook previews, an in-place filter, automatic cloud drive integration, and dozens of themes - all with native, GPU-rendered speed.

What are the system requirements?

Shuffle runs on macOS 12 or later. It is tuned for Apple Silicon (M-series) Macs and is a standard Metal app, so it also runs on modern Intel Macs (Intel builds from source).

How do I install Shuffle?

Download the Shuffle.dmg from the website, open it, and drag Shuffle into your Applications folder. Developers can also clone the GitHub repository and build it from source with Rust and Cargo.

Is Shuffle open source?

Yes. Shuffle is fully open source under the MIT license, written in Rust with the GPUI framework (the GPU UI toolkit behind the Zed editor). The complete source code is available on GitHub at github.com/WizenPainter/shuffle.

Is Shuffle like Marta?

They share a philosophy: fast, dual-pane, keyboard-first. Shuffle differs by being GPU-rendered, fully open source, and more visually themeable, with a fuzzy command palette (⌘P) as the primary way to move around.

Which is faster, Shuffle or Marta?

Both are fast and far ahead of Finder. Shuffle renders its whole UI on the GPU with Metal, which keeps scrolling and redraws smooth even in very large directories.

Shuffle vs Marta

Marta is a fast, keyboard-driven dual-pane file manager beloved by terminal users. Shuffle shares that speed-and-keyboard philosophy but adds GPU rendering, a fuzzy command palette, and a more visual, themeable interface.

Updated August 3, 2026 · by Jaime Guzman

The short answer

Shuffle and Marta are both free, fast, keyboard-first dual-pane file managers for macOS. Choose Shuffle if you want GPU rendering, a visual fuzzy command palette, richer built-in theming, and fully open source code; choose Marta if you prefer a minimal, config-file-driven Norton Commander-style workflow. Both are free, so trying each is low-risk.

Choose Shuffle if

People who want keyboard speed plus a polished, GPU-rendered, themeable UI and a command palette.

Choose Marta if

Minimalists who love a config-file-driven, Norton Commander-style keyboard workflow.

Shuffle vs Marta, feature by feature

Feature	Shuffle	Marta
Price	Free	Free
Open source	Yes	Closed (free)
GPU-rendered (Metal)	Yes	No
Built with	Rust + GPUI	Swift
Dual-pane view	Yes	Yes
Tabs	Yes	Yes
Fuzzy command palette	⌘P	Command-driven
Keyboard-first navigation	Yes	Yes
Theming	Presets + per-color	Config-file themes
Large-directory performance	GPU-smooth	Fast
Apple Silicon native	Yes	Yes

The verdict

Marta and Shuffle are close in spirit - both are fast and keyboard-friendly. Marta leans minimal and config-driven; Shuffle adds GPU rendering, a visual command palette, and richer built-in theming while staying open source. Try both - they're both free.

Frequently asked questions

Is Shuffle like Marta?: They share a philosophy: fast, dual-pane, keyboard-first. Shuffle differs by being GPU-rendered, fully open source, and more visually themeable, with a fuzzy command palette (⌘P) as the primary way to move around.
Which is faster, Shuffle or Marta?: Both are fast and far ahead of Finder. Shuffle renders its whole UI on the GPU with Metal, which keeps scrolling and redraws smooth even in very large directories.

Compare Shuffle with more file managers

vs Finder vs Path Finder vs ForkLift vs Commander One vs File Pilot