# FileBrowserGO vs ES File Explorer

FileBrowserGO and ES File Explorer both sit at 4.4 stars, but that hides the real split: 64% of ES File Explorer's written reviews are positive against 46% of FileBrowserGO's. ES File Explorer also leads on ratings volume (15K vs 708) and iOS requirement (13.0 vs 15.6). On price, rating, update cadence and ads there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. FileBrowserGO sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per month and ES File Explorer sells 7 in-app purchases, starting at $6.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ES File Explorer holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 4.4. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: ES File Explorer has 15K ratings behind it against 708, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 46% of FileBrowserGO's written reviews are positive against 64% of ES File Explorer's.

FileBrowserGO ships an update monthly, ES File Explorer every 3 weeks. Both last shipped on October 21, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | FileBrowserGO | ES File Explorer |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.4 (708 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/filebrowsergo-file-manager/id335493278/reviews) | **[4.6 (15K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/es-file-explorer/id1441621965/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 708 | **15K** |
| Positive reviews | 46.5% of reviews | **63.7% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Monthly | **Every 3 weeks** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 80 MB | 263 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.6 | **13.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | **iPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple Watch** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 17+ |
| Developer | [Stratospherix Ltd](https://appshunter.io/developer/323133606) | [Beijing Xiaoxiong Bowang Technology Co., Ltd.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1435277197) |

## What reviewers say

### FileBrowserGO

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/filebrowsergo-file-manager/id335493278)

Access and manage files across your computers, network drives, and cloud storage from your iOS device. Organize, edit, and share files with features like multi-tabbed browsing, in-place editing, and media streaming.

**Highlights:** Connect to computers, NAS, and cloud storage, Multi-tabbed browsing and split-screen support, Edit files in-place from network locations, Stream media with AirPlay and Chromecast, View and annotate PDFs and images, Automatic folder syncing and backup, Create custom file operation tasks

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

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Monthly | $0.99 | per month |
| 6 Monthly | $3.99 | per 6 months |
| Yearly | $5.99 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Fast and efficient file management
- 🔒 Secure access to network drives
- 👍 Intuitive and user-friendly interface
- 🚀 Seamless integration with cloud storage
- 👍 Helpful and responsive customer support

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🔒 Subscription-based model
- 🐛 Occasional connectivity issues
- 🐛 Compatibility problems with certain file types
- 🔒 Limited functionality in free version
- 🐛 Buggy behavior after updates

**Reported bugs**

- Frequent disconnections from network drives
- Inability to access certain folders on network shares
- Thumbnails not loading for some file types
- Crashes when trying to open large files

**Requested features**

- Ability to move and copy multiple files at once
- Improved photo and video browsing experience
- Support for more video and audio codecs
- Integration with iOS Files app
- Automatic file upload/sync to cloud storage


### 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


## Frequently asked questions

### Is FileBrowserGO free?

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

### Is ES File Explorer free?

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

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

ES File Explorer is rated higher. FileBrowserGO averages 4.4 out of 5 from 708 ratings, while ES File Explorer averages 4.6 from 15K ratings.

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

Neither FileBrowserGO nor ES File Explorer shows ads.

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

FileBrowserGO ships an update monthly, and ES File Explorer every 3 weeks. Most recently, FileBrowserGO was updated on October 21, 2026 and ES File Explorer on October 21, 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.*