Comparison

ES File Explorer vs iPlay File Manager

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

ES File Explorer

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
Read full description

ES File Explorer is a local and network file management tool that can help you manage files easily. 【The main function】 -File management You can create new directories, rename, move, delete files, etc. Support file sorting by name, date, size The iPad version supports features such as split screen, picture-in-picture, and drag-and-drop operations between apps - file transfer WiFi transmission function: support the transfer of files between the mobile terminal and the computer terminal Face-to-face fast transfer function: support for transferring files between mobile phones -Compress and decompress Support the compression and decompression of ZIP, RAR, 7Z format files Support Chinese password -Built-in audio and video player Support functions: double-speed playback (0.5~2.0), background playback, small window playback, etc. Can directly play audio and video resources in the network disk, local area, and local area network -Netdisk aggregation No need to download, you can access and use the files in the network disk Support simultaneous login with multiple accounts on the same network disk Support mainstream network disks such as Baidu network disk, google drive, OneDrive, dropbox, etc. -Remote service access: SMB, FTP, WebDAV -Built-in PDF editor Support PDF file browsing PDF file editing: supports highlight, underline, strikethrough, pen and other functions -Built-in novel reader Support TXT, EPUB format, continuous optimization -Built-in code editor Supports browsing and editing of 47 code formats such as json, js, log, java, php, swift, xml, net, etc. Support code theme switching, font size adjustment, encoding format adjustment -Other functions Automatic backup function: support incremental backup of system albums and ES local files to Baidu network disk, SMB, FTP, WebDAV Recycle bin function: support ES local files to be temporarily stored in the ES recycle bin after deletion to prevent file loss Browser: Support web browsing Application lock: protect user privacy and safety ES PRO - When you purchase ES PRO, you will Unlock all premium features. - ES PRO is billed monthly or annually at the rate corresponding to the selected plan. - Payment will be charged to your iTunes account at confirmation of purchase. - According to the Apple Store policy, your subscription will be automatically renewed after the free trial ends. - Subscriptions will automatically renew unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24 hours before the end of current period. - Your account will be charged according to your plan for renewal within 24 hours prior to the end of the current period. You can manage or turn off auto-renew in your Apple ID account settings at any time after purchase. Terms of Service: http://esfile.do-global.com/h5/user_manual.html Privacy Policy: http://www.estrongs.com/privacyStatement/en/index.htm Email: esfileexplorerfeedback@outlook.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OfficialESFileExplorer/ YouTube: https://goo.gl/YVXXV3

About

iPlay File Manager

Manage all your files with this comprehensive tool. It supports numerous formats for viewing, editing, and playing media, with easy organization and sharing capabilities. Create folders, playlists, and import files from other applications.

Highlights
  • Supports all known file formats
  • Play videos and listen to songs
  • Edit text files
  • View images
  • Create and organize folders
  • Zip and unzip files
  • Import files from other apps
Features
Read full description

File Manager is a strong file editor It support all known file formats You can play your videos Listen your songs Edit your text files View your images You can create folders easily Order your files just drag & drop Create playlists from your media You can import files from other apps You can share You can zip & unzip Code support Html Support

Screenshots

ES File Explorer4 screens
iPlay File Manager4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: ES File Explorer at 4.6 against iPlay File Manager's 2.0. ES File Explorer also leads on ads (none vs shown) and ratings volume (15K vs 4). iPlay File Manager's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 7). On price, update cadence and device support there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. ES File Explorer sells 7 in-app purchases, starting at $6.99 per month. iPlay File Manager asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

ES File Explorer holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 2.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: ES File Explorer has 15K ratings behind it against 4, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 64% of ES File Explorer's written reviews are positive against 50% of iPlay File Manager's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

ES File Explorer ships an update every 3 weeks, iPlay File Manager every 4 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 1, 2026 and October 24, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 3 level
ES File Explorer versus iPlay File Manager: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterES File ExploreriPlay File Manager
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.6 (15K ratings) — better2.0 (4 ratings)
Positive reviews63.7% of reviews — better50.0% of reviews
Number of ratings15K — better4
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeks — betterEvery 4 weeks
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesAd-supported — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple Watch — betteriPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS13.0 — better15.0
Further details — not scored
Size263 MB188 MB
Age rating17+4+
DeveloperBeijing Xiaoxiong Bowang Technology Co., Ltd.Cigdem Akalin

Customer experience

ES File Explorer

All ratings15,195 ratings
Positive89.9%
Neutral3.0%
Negative7.1%
Written reviews1,156 reviews
Positive63.7%
Neutral8.8%
Negative27.5%

iPlay File Manager

All ratings4 ratings
Positive25.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative75.0%
Written reviews2 reviews
Positive50.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative50.0%

Bugs and requests

ES File Explorer

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • 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

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

iPlay File Manager

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

7 purchases

ES File Explorer

Subscriptions4
  • ES Pro(1 month)7 Days trial$6.991 Month
  • ES Pro(1 month)$6.991 Month
  • ES Pro(1 year)7 Days trial$29.991 Year
Show 1 more
  • ES Pro(1 year)$29.991 Year
One-time3
  • ES remove ads$1.99
  • ES lifetime vip$4.99
  • ES lifetime vip$6.99
None

iPlay File Manager

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is ES File Explorer free?
ES File Explorer is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is iPlay File Manager free?
iPlay File Manager is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, ES File Explorer or iPlay File Manager?
ES File Explorer is rated higher. ES File Explorer averages 4.6 out of 5 from 15K ratings, while iPlay File Manager averages 2.0 from 4 ratings.
Do ES File Explorer or iPlay File Manager have ads?
iPlay File Manager shows ads; ES File Explorer does not.
Which is updated more often, ES File Explorer or iPlay File Manager?
ES File Explorer ships an update every 3 weeks, and iPlay File Manager every 4 weeks. Most recently, ES File Explorer was updated on November 1, 2026 and iPlay File Manager on October 24, 2026.

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