Default Folder X alternative
Open and Save dialogs, sorted — and a file manager too
Default Folder X is the long-standing way to tame the Mac's Open and Save dialogs. Folia Files covers the essentials — your open folders, favorites, recents and a shelf next to every dialog — inside a complete file manager.
7 days free with every feature, no account, no card. Then $49.99 once for up to 3 Macs, every future update included — no subscription.
In short
Default Folder X ($39.95, free updates until the next major version) adds recent and favorite folders, Finder-click, tags and comments in Save dialogs, previews and file actions inside dialogs. Folia Files ($49.99, every update included, a full file manager) docks a panel next to every Open and Save dialog with the folders open in Folia Files, favorites, recent folders and files and the Shelf: one click takes the dialog there. Choose Default Folder X for its in-dialog extras; choose Folia Files to get the essentials and a file manager in one app.
In the dialogs
| Feature | Folia Files | Default Folder X |
|---|---|---|
| Recent and favorite folders | Yes | Yes |
| The folders you have open | YesFolders open in Folia Files | YesFinder windows (Finder-click) |
| Recent files | Yes | Yes |
| Files parked on a shelf | YesThe Shelf | No |
| Type a path or filter | Yes | YesQuick Search |
| Tags and comments when saving | No | Yes |
| Preview and file actions inside the dialog | No | YesInfo, rename, duplicate, delete |
| A full file manager | YesPanes, servers, search, tools | No |
| Price | $49.99 once, 3 Macs, updates included | $39.95, updates free until the next major version |
| Free trial | 7 days | 30 days |
What Default Folder X does that Folia Files doesn't
Default Folder X goes deeper inside the dialog itself: tags and comments as you save, a preview and info panel in Open dialogs, renaming, duplicating or deleting files without leaving the dialog, folder menus in the menu bar and per-app default folders. If you live in those features, keep it — it is excellent, updated for macOS 27 and on Setapp.
What you get with Folia Files
The panel next to each dialog lists the folders you are working in — open in Folia Files' panes — then favorites, recent folders and recent files, and the Shelf. A click takes the dialog there, or selects the file. And the rest of the app replaces the Finder for your daily work.
Website edition and Mac App Store
The assistant needs macOS's Accessibility permission. In the website edition it works right away; in the Mac App Store edition it goes through Folia Files Companion (free).
Questions
Yes, but both would add a panel to the dialogs; turn Folia Files' assistant off in its settings if you keep Default Folder X.
Keep reading
Open and Save assistant
Your folders, recent files and the Shelf next to every app's Open and Save dialogs.
The apps it replaces
What Folia Files covers of eight specialist apps — and what they still do better.
The best Finder alternatives
Ten file managers for Mac, who each one is for, prices checked.
See for yourself, free for 7 days
Every feature, no account, no credit card. Then $49.99, once, every future update included — no subscription.
Prices and features checked on 3 October 2026, on the makers' websites, documentation and release notes.