# ES File Explorer vs Documents

The clearest difference is ads: ES File Explorer at none against Documents's shown. ES File Explorer also leads on update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 50 months) and ratings volume (15K vs 286). On price, rating, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. ES File Explorer sells 7 in-app purchases, starting at $6.99 per month and Documents sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.6 for ES File Explorer against 4.5 for Documents. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: ES File Explorer has 15K ratings behind it against 286, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 64% of ES File Explorer's written reviews are positive against 43% of Documents's.

ES File Explorer ships an update every 3 weeks, Documents every 50 months. The most recent releases landed on September 24, 2026 and September 20, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | ES File Explorer | Documents |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.6 (15K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/es-file-explorer/id1441621965/reviews)** | [4.5 (286 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/documents-media-file-manager/id1608680479/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **15K** | 286 |
| Positive reviews | **63.7% of reviews** | 42.9% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | **Every 3 weeks** | Every 50 months |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 263 MB | 37 MB |
| Requires iOS | 13.0 | 13.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple Watch** | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 17+ | 17+ |
| Developer | [Beijing Xiaoxiong Bowang Technology Co., Ltd.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1435277197) | [Stephan Cullmann](https://appshunter.io/developer/1590979183) |

## What reviewers say

### ES File Explorer

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/es-file-explorer/id1441621965)

Manage local and network files with this comprehensive tool. It offers file transfer, compression, built-in media players, cloud storage integration, and editing capabilities for various document and code formats.

**Highlights:** File management and sorting, WiFi and face-to-face file transfer, ZIP, RAR, 7Z compression/decompression, Built-in audio/video player, Cloud storage aggregation, Remote service access (SMB, FTP, WebDAV), PDF and code editor

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Apple Watch app, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (7)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| ES Pro(1 month) | $6.99 | per month |
| ES Pro(1 month) | $6.99 | per month |
| ES Pro(1 year) | $29.99 | per year |
| ES Pro(1 year） | $29.99 | per year |
| ES remove ads | $1.99 | one-time |
| ES lifetime vip | $4.99 | one-time |
| ES lifetime vip | $6.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Powerful file management
- 📁 Extensive file format support
- 🔒 Secure folder access
- 🎵 Excellent built-in media player
- 🔗 Seamless network connectivity

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Occasional crashes and bugs
- 💰 Expensive subscription model
- 🔍 Search functionality issues
- 🔇 Music playback problems
- 🔌 Connectivity issues with FTP/SFTP

**Reported bugs**

- Deleted all user files after update
- Unable to connect to SMB servers
- Video playback issues with certain file types
- Inconsistent behavior when using VPN

**Requested features**

- Dark mode option
- Improved file compression tools
- More customization options
- Better integration with Apple ecosystem
- Enhanced audio/video playback controls


### Documents

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/documents-media-file-manager/id1608680479)

This app acts as a central hub for managing all your files and media on your iOS device. It offers robust features for organizing, viewing, and sharing various file types, including documents, videos, and music, all within a single, intuitive interface.

**Highlights:** Quick file search and organization, File moving, deletion, and renaming, Unzipping and copy-pasting, Support for over 100 file formats, Built-in web browser with private browsing, VLC-powered video and audio player, PDF reader and editor

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

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Remove Ads | $0.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is ES File Explorer free?

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

### Is Documents free?

Documents is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, ES File Explorer or Documents?

ES File Explorer is rated higher. ES File Explorer averages 4.6 out of 5 from 15K ratings, while Documents averages 4.5 from 286 ratings.

### Do ES File Explorer or Documents have ads?

Documents shows ads; ES File Explorer does not.

### Which is updated more often, ES File Explorer or Documents?

ES File Explorer ships an update every 3 weeks, and Documents every 50 months. Most recently, ES File Explorer was updated on September 24, 2026 and Documents on September 20, 2026.

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