Comparison

File Picker vs S3 Client

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

Head to head
About

File Picker

Access local files and folders directly from supported web applications on your iOS device. This extension enables seamless integration with web apps like VS Code and Photopea, allowing you to read, create, and write to files securely through iOS's built-in permission system.

Highlights
  • File and folder picker for websites
  • MIME type and multiple file support
  • Create, open, and write to files
  • Stream APIs for large files
  • Legacy FileReader interface support
Features
Read full description

Access your local files and folders on supported web sites including: vscode.dev, photopea.com, and more! File Picker is a Safari App Extension that implements the File System Access API web standard. This allows any website or web app that uses the standard to access any local files and folders stored on your iOS device. Stay secure with iOS's built in permission system which ensures that only files that you explicitly grant access to can be read or written to by the website. Example Uses: * Write code on the go with Microsoft's Visual Studio Code: Just enable the extension for vscode.dev and you can open files and folders directly from the web app. * Edit PSDs with photopea.com: With the extension enabled, you no longer have to download a new PSD when you save your work, you can save to the opened file directly from the web app. Features: * File picker and folder picker on any website that uses the File System Access APIs * Support for limiting MIME types and multiple files * Opening existing files, creating new files, and writing to opened files * Stream APIs (on supported websites): large files can be read in small chunks and at different positions which saves memory and increases performance * Legacy FileReader interface is also supported Attribution: Icons made by Freepik (freepik.com) from flaticon.com

About

S3 Client

Access and manage your S3-compatible cloud storage directly from your device's file system. Files are downloaded on demand and synchronized automatically, with support for various S3 services and encryption methods.

Highlights
  • Direct S3 storage access
  • On-demand file downloading
  • Automatic synchronization
  • Support for multiple S3 services
  • System share sheet uploads
  • Pre-signed sharing link generation
  • Shortcuts automation support
Features
Read full description

Access your S3 storage directly from the Files app, Finder, and other applications on iPhone, iPad, and Mac. Developed by the creator of Working Copy, this application provides seamless integration with S3-compatible storage services. Once configured, S3 buckets appear alongside other cloud storage providers, with files available on demand. Files are downloaded as needed and automatically synchronized back to S3 when modified. The app supports a wide range of S3-compatible services, including AWS S3, BackBlaze B2, CloudFlare R2, DigitalOcean Spaces, MinIO, and others. Files and directories can be uploaded through the system share sheet on iOS and the Services menu on macOS. The app remembers preferred upload destinations for different file types, streamlining file management. Pre-signed sharing links can be generated directly from Finder and the Files app, allowing temporary access to files for up to seven days. Support for server-side encryption with customer-provided keys (SSE-C) and client-side AES-GCM encryption compatible with the Amazon S3 Encryption Client. Comprehensive support for Shortcuts automation enables operations such as listing, downloading, uploading, and moving files. The app is free to use with a single server. A Pro Unlock is required for multiple servers, available as a one-time purchase or a monthly subscription, with access shared across iPhone, iPad, and Mac. A one-week free trial allows users to evaluate Pro features before purchase.

Screenshots

File Picker4 screens
S3 Client4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: S3 Client at 79% against File Picker's 0%. S3 Client also leads on rating (4.8 vs 2.4) and ratings volume (54 vs 5). File Picker's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 3) and iOS requirement (15.0 vs 18.2). On price, ads 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. S3 Client sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month. File Picker asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

S3 Client holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 2.4. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: S3 Client has 54 ratings behind it against 5, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 0% of File Picker's written reviews are positive against 79% of S3 Client's.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
File Picker versus S3 Client: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterFile PickerS3 Client
PriceFreeFree
Rating2.4 (5 ratings)4.8 (54 ratings) — better
Positive reviews0.0% of reviews79.1% of reviews — better
Number of ratings554 — better
Update frequency—Every 9 days
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, Mac
Requires iOS15.0 — better18.2
Further details — not scored
Size1 MB63 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperTuring Software, LLCAnders Borum ApS

Customer experience

File Picker

All ratings5 ratings
Positive20.0%
Neutral20.0%
Negative60.0%
Written reviews3 reviews
Positive0.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative100.0%

S3 Client

All ratings54 ratings
Positive94.4%
Neutral1.9%
Negative3.7%
Written reviews86 reviews
Positive79.1%
Neutral10.5%
Negative10.5%

Bugs and requests

File Picker

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

S3 Client

Reported bugs

17 issues
  • Files renamed randomly
  • High CPU usage
  • Stopped working in iOS 26
  • Can't set permissions
  • Fails to load S3 buckets properly
Show 12 more
  • Duplicating root folders
  • Folders missing
  • Failing to upload
  • No image/video thumbnails
  • EXIF option unreliable
  • No SSE-C encryption/decryption support
  • Does not support IAM policy roles
  • Short-lived keys needed
  • App locks up Files app
  • Requires reboot
  • Issues with S3 Minio
  • Update issues with older macOS

Requested features

14 requests
  • Support for WebDAV servers
  • Support for Google OAuth for GCS
  • Synchronous feature to backup photos automatically
  • Configurable AWS endpoint for non-.com endpoints
  • Allow import/export of configuration
Show 9 more
  • Show number of files in a directory
  • Option to clear app cache
  • Support for SSE-C encryption/decryption
  • Support for IAM policy roles
  • Support for S3 buckets with short-lived keys
  • Dark mode option
  • Advanced analytics dashboard
  • Duplicate Settings option for iOS
  • Support for public dataset anonymous configuration

In-app purchases

None

File Picker

No in-app purchases

3 purchases

S3 Client

Subscriptions1
  • S3 Files Pro Monthly7 Days trial$2.991 Month
One-time2
  • Lifetime S3 Pro$14.99
  • Lifetime S3 Pro$17.99

Questions

Is File Picker free?
File Picker is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is S3 Client free?
S3 Client is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, File Picker or S3 Client?
S3 Client is rated higher. File Picker averages 2.4 out of 5 from 5 ratings, while S3 Client averages 4.8 from 54 ratings.
Do File Picker or S3 Client have ads?
Neither File Picker nor S3 Client shows ads.

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