# Files vs File manager

The clearest difference is ads: Files at none against File manager's shown. Files also leads on update cadence (fortnightly vs every 3 months) and iOS requirement (11.0 vs 15.6). File manager's advantage is rating (4.5 vs 4.2) and ratings volume (720 vs 58). On price, review sentiment, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Files sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $1.99 per year and File manager sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

File manager holds the better App Store score, 4.5 against 4.2. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: File manager has 720 ratings behind it against 58, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 36% of Files's written reviews are positive against 30% of File manager's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

Files ships an update fortnightly, File manager every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on September 22, 2026 and August 31, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Files | File manager |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.2 (58 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/files-file-manager-app/id1458189960/reviews) | **[4.5 (720 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/file-manager-document-editor/id1498297596/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 58 | **720** |
| Positive reviews | **36.4% of reviews** | 30.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | **Fortnightly** | Every 3 months |
| Monetization | Freemium | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 15 MB | 107 MB |
| Requires iOS | **11.0** | 15.6 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Vitalii Gryniuk](https://appshunter.io/developer/1007630419) | [Bhalala Hiren Bharatbai](https://appshunter.io/developer/1438302804) |

## What reviewers say

### Files

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/files-file-manager-app/id1458189960)

Organize, transfer, and play various file types. Includes a private offline chat and GPS tracker for finding others without internet. Offers document viewing and text file editing capabilities.

**Highlights:** File organization and management, Cross-device file transfer, Media playback (audio/video), Document and text file viewing/editing, Private offline chat, Offline GPS tracking

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Family Sharing

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Premium | $1.99 | per year |


### File manager

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/file-manager-document-editor/id1498297596)

Easily manage all files and folders on your device, including internal storage and cloud services. Browse by category, perform essential file actions, and analyze storage usage. Includes bonus process and backup managers.

**Highlights:** File and folder management, Cloud storage integration, Storage analysis, Internal media viewers, Dual-pane interface, File compression/decompression

**In-app purchases (4)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| File Manager Pro - Weekly | $1.99 | per 7 days |
| File Manager Pro - Monthly | $3.99 | per month |
| File Manager Pro - Annual | $14.99 | per year |
| File Manager - Remove Ads | $29.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Perfekter File Manager
- 👍 Good app
- 👍 Video recording

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Crashes on startup
- 🐛 Crashes when browsing files
- 🔋 High battery consumption due to ads
- 🚫 Useless, doesn't work
- 🚫 No access to local folders

**Reported bugs**

- Crashes when searching for music files
- Deletes all photos, even unselected ones
- Closes automatically when opening
- Doesn't work on iPhone 13 Pro Max

**Requested features**

- Add search option
- Improve file management capabilities


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Files free?

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

### Is File manager free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Files or File manager?

File manager is rated higher. Files averages 4.2 out of 5 from 58 ratings, while File manager averages 4.5 from 720 ratings.

### Do Files or File manager have ads?

File manager shows ads; Files does not.

### Which is updated more often, Files or File manager?

Files ships an update fortnightly, and File manager every 3 months. Most recently, Files was updated on September 22, 2026 and File manager on August 31, 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.*