Short answer
Pick AI File Sorter if you want free open-source software that also runs on Windows and Linux and can tidy NAS archives. Pick Filewise if you use an Apple-silicon Mac and want a notarized app that reads content and shows a plan before it acts.
What is AI File Sorter
AI File Sorter describes itself as reviewable cleanup plans: clean Downloads, rename photos and scanned documents, organize screenshots and sort old NAS or external-drive archives, with nothing applied until you approve. Documents and images are analyzed by content; audio and video use embedded metadata for rename suggestions. It can run locally or connect to your own cloud provider. The download page lists version 1.9.2, and the site claims 80,000+ downloads and about 1.8k GitHub stars (vendor claims).
Side by side
| Dimension | Filewise | AI File Sorter |
|---|---|---|
| How it works | Reads file contents (PDF text layer, OCR on scans) and a local AI proposes names and destinations | Choose a cleanup flow (Downloads, photos, scans, screenshots, NAS archives), preview suggested folders and names, apply only what looks right |
| Platform | Apple silicon only, macOS 14 or later; a DMG from the website, or install with Homebrew | macOS (separate builds for Apple silicon M1 to M5 and for Intel), Windows including the Microsoft Store, and Linux |
| Price | Free to download for now | Free and open source (the code is public on GitHub); the site also has a "Support Project" link |
| Do contents leave your Mac? | No. Reading and naming run on the Mac | It can run locally for offline review, or connect to a cloud provider of your own for stronger models |
| Confirm before renaming | Shows an "original name → new name" plan first and acts only after you approve | Yes. The site describes previewing suggestions and a dry run before applying |
| Undo and deletion | Every step goes into an undo log that survives a restart; it only renames and moves, never deletes | The site lists undo and project-folder protection; whether it can delete files is not stated directly (unverified) |
| macOS install | — | The download page says that if macOS blocks the app because it is not signed with an Apple certificate, you must follow its opening steps |
"Unverified" means we did not see a clear statement on the official pages, not that the feature does not exist. Prices, features and user counts are vendor claims and change; check the vendor's own site before you buy or download. Checked 2026-10-16.
How this page was checked
The facts about AI File Sorter come from its official pages (sources at the bottom), read in a real browser with no signup, no login, no download and no trial of paid features; the Filewise side matches the live version v0.8.0. Dimensions marked unverified here: Undo and deletion. That does not mean the feature is missing, only that the official pages do not state it; we will update after checking.
When to pick AI File Sorter
- You want free, open-source software and also need Windows or Linux.
- You are cleaning large NAS or external-drive archives and like task-specific cleanup flows.
- You want to connect your own cloud provider for a stronger remote model on complicated sorting rules.
When to pick Filewise
- You want a signed, notarized Mac app that installs and runs without manually overriding a blocked app.
- Your pile is PDFs, invoices, contracts and scans, and you want the issuer, amount and date read out before naming, with rename and move as the only actions.
- You want every read to stay on the Mac with no cloud provider and no model to configure.
The limits are worth stating too: it needs Apple silicon, the first launch downloads a local model of about 2 GB, and when the local model cannot read a file it keeps the original name instead of guessing, so files it cannot identify still need you.
Migrating or running both
Neither tool stores your files, so there is nothing to migrate. They can coexist: use AI File Sorter for NAS and external-drive archives and Filewise for the everyday Downloads, Desktop and Documents. Do not point both at the same batch at once.
Try it on your own files (10 minutes)
Reviews are only a starting point; what your files look like is what matters. Take 20 real downloads, including invoices, scans, screenshots and English PDFs, and run them through Filewise and AI File Sorter separately without letting either touch the originals. Compare three things: whether the extracted details (issuer, date, amount) are right, whether an unreadable file keeps its name or gets an invented one, and whether a wrong rename can be undone in one step. Then turn the network off and see which one still works.
FAQ
Is AI File Sorter free?
The site says it is free and open source, with a link to support the project. Filewise is also free to download for now.
Is AI File Sorter safe to run on a Mac?
The download page says macOS may block it because it is not signed with an Apple certificate and gives manual opening steps; weigh that yourself. Filewise ships a notarized DMG.
Does AI File Sorter read file contents?
Yes. The site says PDF, Office/OpenDocument, text and images can be analyzed by content, while audio and video use embedded metadata.
Can I install both?
Yes, just do not run both on the same batch of files at once.
Sources and check dates
- AI File Sorter home: filesorter.app/, checked 2026-10-16.
- AI File Sorter download: filesorter.app/download/, checked 2026-10-16.
- Filewise: matches the live version v0.8.0, checked 2026-10-16.
