# Comtel vs File Explorer & Player

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Comtel at none against File Explorer & Player's 4. Comtel also leads on ads (none vs shown) and iOS requirement (15.1 vs 18.0). File Explorer & Player's advantage is update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 3 months). On price and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. File Explorer & Player sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month. Comtel asks for nothing beyond the download.

Comtel ships an update every 3 months, File Explorer & Player every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 14, 2026 and October 24, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Comtel | File Explorer & Player |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | — | **[4.6 (124 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/file-explorer-and-player/id1113281296/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | — | **124** |
| Positive reviews | — | 78.3% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 3 months | **Every 3 weeks** |
| Monetization | — | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 36 MB | 84 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.1** | 18.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, Apple TV |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [ProgressNet](https://appshunter.io/developer/1509775083) | [Remote Sunrise LTD](https://appshunter.io/developer/619088610) |

## What reviewers say

### Comtel

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/comtel/id1086660312)

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


### File Explorer & Player

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/file-explorer-and-player/id1113281296)

Access and stream files from your Mac wirelessly on your iPhone or iPad. View photos, documents, and play videos directly from your computer. Transfer files and even use your iOS device as a portable drive.

**Highlights:** Stream video from Mac, View photos and documents, Transfer files to iOS, Use iOS as a drive, Wireless Mac access

**Features:** Family Sharing, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (4)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Upgrade to Pro Version - 1M | $1.99 | per month |
| Upgrade to Pro Version | $9.99 | per year |
| Remove Ads | $19.99 | one-time |
| Upgrade to PRO | $19.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Easy to use and understand
- 🚀 Fast streaming of files
- 👍 Seamless connection across devices
- 👍 Works well on Apple devices (iPad, Mac, Apple TV, Vision Pro)
- 💰 Inexpensive and good value

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Free version is limited/useless
- 🐛 Does not work for PC
- 🐛 No external access (from outside home network)
- 🐛 Paid version download issues reported
- 🐛 Lack of clear instructions for new features

**Reported bugs**

- Paid version download issues reported
- Free version does nothing
- Poor support response to feature inquiries

**Requested features**

- Add NAS support
- Enable external access (remote access from outside home network)
- Add Chinese language option
- Allow file renaming
- Improve PC compatibility


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Comtel free?

Comtel is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is File Explorer & Player free?

File Explorer & Player is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Do Comtel or File Explorer & Player have ads?

File Explorer & Player shows ads; Comtel does not.

### Which is updated more often, Comtel or File Explorer & Player?

Comtel ships an update every 3 months, and File Explorer & Player every 3 weeks. Most recently, Comtel was updated on October 14, 2026 and File Explorer & Player on October 24, 2026.

---

*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*