lstr vs termscp
Terminal tools for browsing and managing files compared
lstr and termscp are Rust-based terminal tools for working with files. lstr focuses on viewing directory trees and exporting listings, while termscp combines local file management with transfers to remote systems and cloud storage.

lstr: Browse Directory Trees in the Terminal
lstr is a Rust directory-tree viewer with both classic output and an interactive terminal interface. It suits developers who want to explore project files, inspect Git status, or produce tree data for scripts and offline browsing.

termscp: Transfer and Explore Files from a Terminal
termscp is a cross-platform terminal file manager for local files and remote connections. Use its text interface to browse, transfer, and edit files across protocols including SFTP, SCP, FTP, S3, SMB, and WebDAV.
| lstr | termscp | |
|---|---|---|
| Language | Rust | Rust |
| License | MIT | MIT |
| Stars | 1.5k | 3.1k |
| Forks | 31 | 83 |
| Last analyzed | Oct 7, 2026 | Oct 3, 2026 |
Key differences
- lstr presents directory contents as a tree, with classic output and an optional interactive interface; termscp provides a terminal file manager for local and remote files.
- lstr offers Git status, tree filtering and sorting, and JSON or HTML output; termscp supports connections to protocols and services including SFTP, SCP, FTP, S3, SMB, and WebDAV.
- lstr is suited to exploring project structure and producing directory listings; termscp is suited to browsing, editing, and transferring files across remote connections.
- Both projects use Rust and the MIT license, and neither is archived.
- termscp has more listed stars and forks than lstr: 3.1k and 83 compared with 1.5k and 31.
- lstr notes that most contributions come from one person and that issues can take a long time to close; termscp notes platform-specific build dependencies and optional software requirements.
Choose lstr if you…
- need to inspect directory trees, Git status, or file details in a terminal.
- want to search project files or open selected files in an editor.
- need JSON or HTML output for scripts or offline browsing.
Choose termscp if you…
- need to browse or transfer files across remote protocols and cloud services.
- want to manage local and remote files, including editing and synchronization.
- use bookmarks or recent connections to return to remote hosts.
Compare the numbers side by side, or add more projects
This comparison is generated with AI from the OSRepos analyses of both projects. Always check each project's repository and documentation before choosing.