Content Search
Search inside PDFs, Word docs, plain text, source code, and logs. Built-in OCR reads text from images and scanned PDFs — find what you need even when it's not selectable text.
Power-User Search, Mac Native
The advanced file search Mac has been missing
Regex, wildcards, Boolean operators, PDF search, and built-in OCR in a native macOS app — no indexing required, no cloud, no subscription.
macOS native · 3-day free trial · $4.99 one-time · Sandboxed & private
Why File Ferret
File & content search for Mac — regex, wildcards, Boolean operators
Search file names and contents simultaneously with regex, real-time results, highlighted match previews, and built-in OCR for scanned documents — no indexing required, no cloud dependency, no subscription.
Regex & Wildcards
Full regular expression support for power users. Combine with wildcards and Boolean operators (AND, OR, NOT) for precise queries.
Advanced Filters
Filter by date modified, file size, file type, and folder path. Narrow millions of files down to exactly what you need.
Instant Results
Results appear as you type. No waiting for indexing to complete. Search local drives, network volumes, and cloud-synced folders.
Preview Pane
Preview file contents inline without opening them. See matching text highlighted in context — perfect for scanning search results quickly.
PDF & OCR Search
Search inside PDFs — including scanned documents and embedded images. Built-in OCR extracts text from images so nothing is unsearchable.
100% Private
File Ferret runs entirely on your Mac. No cloud uploads, no telemetry, no account required. Your files never leave your machine.
Three Steps
Search smarter in three clicks
No configuration, no indexing setup. Open File Ferret and start finding files.
1
Choose where to search
Pick a folder, a drive, or your whole Mac. Search local volumes, external drives, or cloud-synced folders like OneDrive and Dropbox.
2
Type your query
Search by file name, file contents, or both. Use plain text, wildcards, or full regex. Add date, size, and type filters to narrow results.
3
Preview and act
Preview matches inline, open files in their default app, reveal in Finder, or copy the path. Export results to CSV for documentation.
Switched to Mac?
Switching from Windows?
Switching from Windows?
File Ferret was built for you.
If you relied on advanced file search tools on Windows, you know there's nothing like them built into macOS. File Ferret fills that gap — the same power-user workflow, native to the Mac.
Separate filename & content search
Search by name, by contents, or both at once — just like the advanced tools you used on Windows.
Full regex & wildcard support
The same query syntax you already know. No relearning required.
PDF search & OCR built in
Search inside PDFs and scanned documents. Built-in OCR reads text from images — nothing is unsearchable.
Export results to CSV
Document your searches. Share results with colleagues. Same workflow, new platform.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about File Ferret
Is File Ferret free?
File Ferret includes a 3-day free trial with every feature unlocked. After the trial, it's a one-time purchase of $4.99 — no subscription, no recurring charges.
When will File Ferret be available on the Mac App Store?
File Ferret is coming soon on the Mac App Store. The release will go live as soon as Apple approves it.
What file types can File Ferret search inside?
File Ferret searches inside plain text files (.txt, .csv, .log, .json, .xml, source code), PDFs, Microsoft Office documents (.docx, .xlsx), and images. Built-in OCR reads text from scanned PDFs and image files (PNG, JPEG, TIFF) — so even non-selectable text is searchable.
Does it require an internet connection?
No. File Ferret works entirely offline. It searches your local filesystem directly — no cloud services, no indexing servers, no account needed.
Can I search network drives or cloud-synced folders?
Yes. Any volume or folder mounted on your Mac is searchable — including SMB shares, external drives, and cloud-synced folders from OneDrive, Dropbox, or iCloud Drive.
What macOS versions are supported?
File Ferret requires macOS 25 (Tahoe) or later and runs on Apple Silicon Macs.
How does File Ferret compare to Windows file search tools?
Popular Windows file search tools like Agent Ransack® are Windows-only. File Ferret brings the same class of functionality to macOS natively — separate file name and content search fields, full regex and wildcard support, Boolean operators (AND, OR, NOT), advanced filters, and highlighted match previews. File Ferret is not affiliated with Mythicsoft or Agent Ransack.
Can I get the same search workflow on Mac that I had on Windows?
Yes. File Ferret was built for power users who switched from Windows to Mac and needed the same caliber of file search. It offers separate filename and content search fields, full regex and wildcard support, Boolean operators (AND, OR, NOT), advanced filters by date, size, and type, and highlighted match previews — all native to macOS.
Does File Ferret require indexing like Spotlight or DocFetcher?
No. File Ferret searches your filesystem directly — no indexing setup, no waiting for an index to build. Open the app, choose a folder, and start searching immediately.
Does File Ferret support case-sensitive search?
Yes. You can toggle case sensitivity for both filename and content searches.
Ready to search smarter?
Stop scrolling through folders.
Stop scrolling through folders.
Start finding files.
Try every feature free for 3 days. Then just $4.99 — one-time, no subscription. No account required.
Requires macOS 25+ · Apple Silicon · No account required