Lazarus doesn't change functionality. However, I made the experience that freeware file managers - except FAR, of course - are notably worse than their commercial pendants, usability-wise.
-Tuxman
The freeCommander author made it a bit different when he released the XE version. Also it came out with many functions unimplemented and filled in piecemeal. One of the last was the multi-renamer which was one of my favorite freeCommander functions. I still haven't seen the 64 bit release.
The trouble with a file manager is a tendency to use that as the cockpit. If you decide you made a bad choice you likely invested lots of time that has to be jettisoned unless the replacement has a similar command set and layout.
But I don't do a zillion file operations a day. So it is not really the basis of how I use the PC. A guy I worked with did everything out of X-Tree Gold. He pretty much talked me into buying it. It worked well so I didn't feel ripped off. But I got nowhere near the use from it that he did.