Short answer
Pick Sortio if you file by client, matter or property, want rules, Spaces and automations, and work on Mac or Windows. Pick Filewise if you want simple content-based naming with a plan to approve and nothing to subscribe to.
What is Sortio
Sortio markets itself as a tool where you drop a folder and it renames every file and files it where it belongs: it reads each file's contents, names it in patterns like YYYYMMDD - Vendor - $Amount, and routes it to the right client, matter or property folder, creating the folder if missing. The site is aimed at lawyers, realtors, bookkeepers and consultants and claims 3M+ files organized (a vendor claim). It says it works offline, lets you preview every move and undo any change.
Side by side
| Dimension | Filewise | Sortio |
|---|---|---|
| How it works | Reads file contents (PDF text layer, OCR on scans) and a local AI proposes names and destinations | You give a prompt or rules; it reads contents, renames and routes files into client, matter or property folders, with Spaces that watch folders and automations (higher tiers) |
| Platform | Apple silicon only, macOS 14 or later; a DMG from the website, or install with Homebrew | macOS and Windows |
| Price | Free to download for now | Free with a one-time AI trial allowance and unlimited rule-based sorting (up to 5 rules and 3 Spaces); Pro $14.99 per month or $99 per year; Team $290 per seat per year; Enterprise custom |
| Do contents leave your Mac? | No. Reading and naming run on the Mac | The site says it works offline and describes a security page; which models run locally versus in the cloud is not spelled out on the pages we read (unverified) |
| Confirm before renaming | Shows an "original name → new name" plan first and acts only after you approve | Yes. You approve the plan before anything moves, and can preview every move |
| Undo and deletion | Every step goes into an undo log that survives a restart; it only renames and moves, never deletes | Sort history and undo are listed; deletion behavior is not stated (unverified) |
"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 Sortio 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: Do contents leave your Mac?, 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 Sortio
- You file documents into client, matter, project or property folders and want folders created automatically.
- You want rules, Spaces that watch Downloads or a Dropbox archive, and automations.
- You are a small team and want shared workspaces and an admin console on higher plans.
When to pick Filewise
- You only need clear names and a suggested place, not a rules engine or a subscription.
- You want the plan table to be the default step for everything, with reading and naming on the Mac.
- You want a free tool; Sortio Pro is $14.99 a month or $99 a year.
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
Sortio's rules and rulepacks live in its own app and do not import into Filewise. If you adopt Filewise for everyday downloads, keep Sortio for the client and matter filing that depends on its rules, and avoid running both on the same folder 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 Sortio 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
How much does Sortio cost?
The site lists a free tier with a one-time AI allowance, Pro at $14.99 per month or $99 per year, Team at $290 per seat per year, and custom Enterprise. Filewise is free to download for now.
Does Sortio work offline?
The site says Works Offline. Details on which processing stays local were not spelled out on the pages we read.
Does Sortio create folders for me?
Yes. The site says it creates the client, matter or property folder if it is missing.
Can Filewise route files into client folders?
Filewise proposes a naming and filing plan you approve; it is not a rules engine for client matters.
Sources and check dates
- Sortio home: getsortio.com/, checked 2026-10-16.
- Sortio pricing: getsortio.com/pricing, checked 2026-10-16.
- Filewise: matches the live version v0.8.0, checked 2026-10-16.
