Need to rename hundreds of files with consistent names? File naming software can batch rename files in seconds. Here’s what you need to know about the top tools and which one is right for you.
Top File Naming Software Compared
1. Bulk Rename Utility (Windows)
Best for: Power users who need maximum flexibility
Price: Free (personal/home use), from $92.95 (commercial license for business use)
Bulk Rename Utility is a powerful Windows renaming tool that can handle 100,000+ files in a single operation. It offers extensive renaming options and is one of the most feature-rich free tools available. The Windows application itself is completely free to download and use for personal use at home. You only need to purchase a commercial license if you’re using it within a business or for commercial purposes.
Key Features:
- Add, remove, or replace text in file names
- Auto-numbering with custom formats
- Regular expression support
- EXIF data extraction (photos)
- File attribute modification
- Preview before renaming
- Undo functionality
| Pros ✅ | Cons ❌ |
|---|---|
| Extremely powerful | Overwhelming interface (100+ options visible) |
| Free for personal use | Steep learning curve |
| Fast performance | Windows only |
| Works with folders and files simultaneously | Requires manual configuration each time |
| Commercial license required for business use |
Best Use Case: Photographers renaming thousands of photos with EXIF data, or anyone doing complex one-time batch renames.
2. Advanced Renamer (Windows & Mac)
Best for: Users who want power with better organization
Price: Free (casual personal use), $25 personal license (frequent use, VAT included), $45 commercial license (plus VAT)
Advanced Renamer offers 13 different renaming methods and works on both Windows and Mac. The interface is more organized than Bulk Rename Utility, with methods presented as separate modules rather than all-at-once. You can download and use it free for casual personal use, but if you use the program frequently or for commercial purposes, a license is required to support continued development.
Key Features:
- 13 renaming methods (replace, remove, add, case change, etc.)
- Metadata extraction (EXIF, ID3, video tags)
- GPS-based naming (adds location to photos)
- JavaScript support for custom rules
- Batch modes (rename, copy, or move files)
- Import/export rename configurations
| Pros ✅ | Cons ❌ |
|---|---|
| Cross-platform (Windows & Mac) | Still requires technical knowledge |
| More organized interface than Bulk Rename Utility | Must set up rules for each session |
| Supports GPS coordinates in file names | Learning curve for JavaScript features |
| Can rename, move, and copy in same operation | No automatic file type detection |
| Free for casual use | License required for frequent/commercial use |
Best Use Case: Content creators managing photos and videos across multiple devices who need location-based naming.
3. PowerRename (Microsoft PowerToys)
Best for: Windows 10/11 users who want Microsoft integration
Price: Free
PowerRename is part of Microsoft PowerToys, a set of utilities for power users. It integrates directly into Windows Explorer’s right-click menu, making it the most accessible renaming tool on Windows.
Key Features:
- Right-click context menu integration
- Search and replace in file names
- Regular expression support
- Real-time preview
- Bulk rename files and folders
- Match case sensitivity
- Undo functionality
| Pros ✅ | Cons ❌ |
|---|---|
| Built by Microsoft (trusted source) | Windows 10/11 only |
| Integrates into Windows Explorer | Requires PowerToys installation |
| Simple for basic tasks, powerful for advanced | Less feature-rich than Bulk Rename Utility |
| Free and actively maintained | Still requires manual pattern definition |
| No separate application to open |
Best Use Case: Windows 10/11 users who want quick access to renaming without opening a separate application.
4. CleanName (Web-Based)
Best for: Quick renames + discovering if AI-powered naming is right for you
Price: Free (no account needed)
CleanName.io is a free web-based file renaming tool and a perfect introduction to what AI-powered file naming can do. Upload your files, and it suggests clean, consistent names instantly. No installation, no account, no friction.
What makes CleanName different: Unlike the manual tools above, CleanName uses AI to understand your files and suggest appropriate names. It’s a glimpse into automated naming without the commitment of installing software.
Key Features:
- No software installation
- Works on any device
- AI-powered name suggestions
- Privacy-focused (files aren’t stored)
- Instant results
- Perfect for trying before you buy into automation
| Pros ✅ | Cons ❌ |
|---|---|
| Zero setup (works immediately) | Limited to web browser |
| Cross-platform (works in any browser) | Manual upload for each batch |
| Free with no account needed | Not ideal for thousands of files |
| Shows you what AI naming can do | One-time use (not continuous) |
Best Use Case: Quick renaming of a few files, or testing whether AI-powered naming makes sense for you before committing to a full automation solution like Filently.
From CleanName to Filently: Automate Your Workflow
If you’re using CleanName daily, it’s time to level up. While CleanName shows you the power of AI-driven naming, Filently puts it on autopilot. Move beyond “one-by-one” naming and let Filently organize your entire cloud storage (including Google Drive, Dropbox and more) automatically and in real-time.
Quick Comparison Table
| Tool | Platform | Price | Best For | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bulk Rename Utility | Windows | Free / from $92.95 | Power users | Hard |
| Advanced Renamer | Windows/Mac | Free / from $25 | Photo/video pros | Medium |
| PowerRename | Windows 10/11 | Free | Quick access | Easy |
| CleanName* | Web | Free | Quick renames | Very Easy |
*Recommended starting point for discovering AI-powered naming
Why Manual Renaming Tools Fall Short
These tools work great for one-time cleanups. Organizing 10,000 vacation photos? Perfect. Batch renaming music files? Excellent.
But for ongoing business documents, they’re clunky. Here’s why:
You’re still doing the work. Every file needs a pattern. Every pattern needs your input. Invoice from Client A? Open tool, create pattern, apply. Invoice from Client B? Repeat. It’s manual labor with a fancy interface.
They can’t read content. Photos have EXIF data. Music has ID3 tags. But PDFs, Word docs, and invoices? No metadata. The tool can’t tell if “document.pdf” is an invoice, contract, or receipt. You have to.
They require discipline. You need to remember to use them, actually open them, and apply rules consistently. Miss a week when you’re busy? Files pile up with messy names. Your system breaks.
The Modern Alternative: AI Automation
Here’s what changes with AI-powered file naming:
Reads content, not just metadata. Opens your PDF invoice, extracts vendor name, date, and amount. Understands what the file actually contains.
Works continuously. No opening tools. No creating patterns. Files get renamed automatically in your cloud storage (Google Drive, Dropbox, etc.) the moment they arrive.
Organizes automatically. Modern AI tools don’t just rename files—they file them in the right folders automatically. Invoice arrives → renamed → organized. No manual sorting.
Manual renaming was great in 2010. Today, you can automate the entire filing process.
How Filently Works Differently
Filently reads your files (PDFs, Word docs, invoices, contracts) and understands what they contain. It extracts dates, company names, amounts, and applies your naming convention automatically—right in your Google Drive. No patterns to write, no tool to open. You save a file, Filently renames it. Done.
Which Tool Is Right for You?
Choose Manual Tools If:
- You’re doing one-time batch renames
- You’re organizing personal files (photos, music)
- You want free software for occasional use
- You’re comfortable with technical tools
Choose AI-Powered Tools If:
- You manage business documents continuously
- Files arrive from clients, vendors, or email
- You need consistent naming without manual effort
- Your team needs organized files without training
For most business users, the best setup is:
- Start with CleanName for quick ad-hoc renames (see if AI naming works for you)
- Move to Filently when you realize you need it working automatically, all the time
You get instant results when you need them, plus a system that keeps working in the background.
Try the free tools first:
Try CleanName free — Instant AI-powered file renaming. No account, no installation. See what intelligent naming looks like in 30 seconds.
Ready for automation?
Join the Filently waitlist — Same AI intelligence, but working automatically in your cloud storage (Google Drive, Dropbox, and more). Every file gets the right name without you lifting a finger.
Because your time is worth more than writing renaming patterns.