Comparison

FileBrowserGO vs FileMate

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

Head to head
About

FileBrowserGO

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
Read full description

Try FileBrowserGO and let it change the way you use your iPad or iPhone to connect to your home computers, network drives and cloud storage. *** FileBrowser's setup varies for every device, and the automatic wizards work super-well. Charlie Sorrel - Cult of Mac *** Ultra-fast browsing of your computers. Faster than Windows Explorer or Mac Finder and our users agree! GET ORGANIZED FileBrowserGO gives you everything you need to keep your files effortlessly organized: Move, edit, delete, rename, copy, zip and unzip. Download files from the web and paste them wherever you choose. MULTI-TABBED BROWSING Our FileBrowser apps were the first file management apps to support multiple tabs. Connect to many of your locations at once and switch between them with ease. Use iPadOS split-screen mode to drag & drop between multiple windows. CONNECT TO Windows, Mac, Linux, Time Capsule, NAS drives, portable WiFi drives, SMB, Samba. Google Drive, Dropbox, Box, OneDrive, OneDrive for Business, pCloud, WebDAV, FTP, SFTP, BackBlaze B2, Amazon S3, Digital Ocean, FileBase S3, iDrive Cloud S3, Wasabi S3. Link to the same cloud storage with multiple accounts, if you have more than one Dropbox account, for example. EXTEND THE FILES APP FileBrowserGO allows you to access all your connections from the iOS Files app and other apps. EDIT IN-PLACE No more duplicate documents in apps. Launch an app to edit a network document in-place, such as Word or Pages. Changes are saved to the original document automatically. PHOTO VIEWER Browse your photos wherever they are stored and display them on your TV or projector using AirPlay or Chromecast. Easily flick through holiday snaps or use the built-in slideshow feature. STREAM YOUR MOVIES / MUSIC Stream movie files or listen to music, both with AirPlay™ and Chromecast support. Use our built-in viewers or stream video to other apps. DOCUMENT VIEWER View Microsoft Office, Apple Pages, Numbers, KeyNote, PDF, text files, source code, HTML, and many more using the built-in viewers. ANNOTATE PDFS AND IMAGES Use the built-in annotation tools for PDFs and images, or use the iOS annotation tools to add notes, drawings or highlight text. SYNC FOLDERS AUTOMATICALLY Keep copies of selected network folders available offline. Edit a file and sync the change back to your computer or cloud. BACKUP FOLDERS Backup folders, such as the Camera Roll to a network or cloud folder. Changes are automatically uploaded. SECURITY AND ENCRYPTION FileBrowserGO securely stores your passwords in the iOS keychain and uses iOS file encryption features. CUSTOM TASKS Create custom tasks to perform complex sequences of file & folder operations, saving you time on frequent tasks. CONNECT ANYWHERE Connect to your Mac or PC when away from home. See our website for details: https://www.stratospherix.com/setupvpn TOO MANY FEATURES TO LIST FileBrowserGO has many features that we would like to tell you about. Find details at https://www.stratospherix.com/products/filebrowsergo. You’ll be amazed! When you start your first in-app subscription, you get a 14 day FREE trial period so that you can try all the features. If you cancel your subscription during this 2 week period you won't be charged anything. FIRST CLASS SUPPORT User manuals and help are available at stratospherix.com/support with how-to articles and videos. Email us for fast, friendly support.

About

FileMate

This app is a powerful local file manager that allows you to browse, organize, and protect your documents, photos, and videos. It offers robust privacy features like file hiding and password protection, along with convenient file transfer and archive management.

Highlights
  • Local file management
  • Photo and video vault
  • File hiding and password protection
  • WiFi and iTunes file transfer
  • Archive and extract (7z, rar, zip)
  • File search and marking
  • Customizable themes
Features
Read full description

FileMate – Local File Manager FileMate is a powerful local file manager for iPhone that helps you easily manage, browse, transfer, and protect files. View documents, photos, videos, and archives in one place. Keep your private files safe with built-in privacy protection and password lock. Simple, fast, and designed for everyday file management. -------- Core Features File Browser Quickly view and preview many file types: • Office documents and PDF files • Text files: txt, json, js, log, java, php, swift, xml • High-resolution images and long screenshots • Audio and video playback with an efficient media player -------- File Manager Powerful tools to organize your files: • Create folders and files • Rename, copy, move, and delete files • View file attributes • Hide files for privacy Sort files by name, type, time, or size. -------- Privacy Protection Protect your private files inside the app. • Hide sensitive files • Files remain isolated from other apps • Optional password protection -------- Key Functions Add Files Add files to FileMate in multiple ways: • Create folders, text files, photos, and videos directly in the app • Import files from Photos, Files, or other apps • Transfer files between PC and iPhone via WiFi • Transfer files between Mac and iPhone using Finder or iTunes -------- Archive & Extract FileMate supports common archive formats: • 7z • rar • zip • tar Password-protected archives are supported. -------- File Search Quickly find files using: • Fuzzy search • Multi-keyword search -------- File Marking Mark important files for faster access and display them in custom sorting views. -------- Hidden Files Private files can be set as hidden. Hidden files are not shown by default and can be revealed when needed. -------- Password Lock Protect access to the app: • App password lock • Face ID / Touch ID unlock • Custom authentication timeout settings -------- Super Hidden Mode Hide all settings related to hidden files so only you know these features exist. -------- Additional Features Sharing Panel • Import files into the app in batches • Share files to other apps Theme Settings • Customize themes • Adjust folder style, menus, and text size Unread Reminder • Set reminder times for unread files -------- Contact & Feedback If you have any questions or suggestions about the product, please feel free to contact us. Email: orange_family@icloud.com QQ group: 398168949 -------- [Auto-renewable subscription service] 1. Service: All Access, Removing Ad (1 Month) 2. Period: 1 Month 3. Price: $0.99 / Month 4. Payment will be charged to iTunes Account at confirmation of purchase 5. Subscription automatically renews unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24-hours before the end of the current period 6. Account will be charged for renewal within 24-hours prior to the end of the current period, and identify the cost of the renewal 7. Subscriptions may be managed by the user and auto-renewal may be turned off by going to the user's Account Settings after purchase 8. Terms of Use: http://www.orangestall.com/folder/subscription.html 9. Privacy Policy: http://www.orangestall.com/legal/privacy.html 1. Service: All Access, Removing Ad (1 Year) 2. Period: 1 Year 3. Price: $9.99 / Year 4. Payment will be charged to iTunes Account at confirmation of purchase 5. Subscription automatically renews unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24-hours before the end of the current period 6. Account will be charged for renewal within 24-hours prior to the end of the current period, and identify the cost of the renewal 7. Subscriptions may be managed by the user and auto-renewal may be turned off by going to the user's Account Settings after purchase 8. Terms of Use: http://www.orangestall.com/folder/subscription.html 9. Privacy Policy: http://www.orangestall.com/legal/privacy.html

Screenshots

FileBrowserGO4 screens
FileMate4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ads: FileBrowserGO at none against FileMate's shown. FileMate's advantage is review sentiment (75% vs 47%) and update cadence (every 2 weeks vs monthly). On price, rating, ratings volume and in-app purchases 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. FileBrowserGO sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per month and FileMate sells 7 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

FileMate holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 4.4. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 700 and 378 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 47% of FileBrowserGO's written reviews are positive against 75% of FileMate's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

FileBrowserGO ships an update monthly, FileMate every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 22, 2026 and September 25, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
FileBrowserGO versus FileMate: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterFileBrowserGOFileMate
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.4 (700 ratings)4.6 (378 ratings) — better
Positive reviews46.6% of reviews75.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings700 — better378
Update frequencyMonthlyEvery 2 weeks — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.613.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size80 MB94 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperStratospherix LtdJUNBO JIA

Customer experience

FileBrowserGO

All ratings700 ratings
Positive86.3%
Neutral3.4%
Negative10.3%
Written reviews309 reviews
Positive46.6%
Neutral8.1%
Negative45.3%

FileMate

All ratings378 ratings
Positive91.3%
Neutral3.2%
Negative5.6%
Written reviews52 reviews
Positive75.0%
Neutral7.7%
Negative17.3%

User reviews

FileBrowserGO

From 700 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 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

Room to improve

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

FileMate

From 378 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 All projects in one place
  • 👍 Few ads, good folder app
  • 👍 Good customization options
  • 👍 Real-time video playback
  • 👍 Easy to use and access

Room to improve

  • 👎 Too many prompts
  • 👎 Limited file viewers
  • 👎 Videos don’t play audio
  • 👎 Ads are annoying
  • 👎 Full-screen ads

Bugs and requests

FileBrowserGO

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • 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

5 requests
  • 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

FileMate

Reported bugs

14 issues
  • Videos don’t play audio
  • Files can be accessed by other apps
  • Videos play without sound
  • MKV files not playable
  • MP4 file play without sound
Show 9 more
  • Thumbnail blank, video black screen with sound
  • Import photos not working after update
  • Sharing files not working after update
  • More ads than before
  • Full-screen ads
  • Shake to hide doesn't jump out of hidden directories
  • App stays in background for a long time without being killed
  • Single directory with over 5000 images causes crash
  • Basic functions removed after update

Requested features

20 requests
  • Provide multiple purchase options
  • Add Face ID and Touch ID for hidden files
  • Improve file viewer features (thumbnails, playlists, adjustments)
  • Add folder locking to prevent accidental deletion
  • Implement folder download from PC
Show 15 more
  • Display folder space usage and phone storage remaining
  • Add file property viewing
  • Improve handling of large numbers of images in a directory
  • Add reverse sorting option
  • Improve batch selection for importing files
  • Allow font size adjustment
  • Add progress bar for document viewing
  • Enhance support for landscape mode
  • Add manual language selection
  • Allow password lock on shake to hide feature
  • Improve video playback (swipe to next, no sound issue)
  • Auto-hide hidden items after a period of inactivity
  • Fix import photos issue
  • Fix sharing files issue
  • Fix more ads than before

In-app purchases

3 purchases

FileBrowserGO

Subscriptions3
  • Monthly14 Days trial$0.991 Month
  • 6 Monthly14 Days trial$3.996 Months
  • Yearly14 Days trial$5.991 Year
7 purchases

FileMate

Subscriptions2
  • All Access, Removing Ad$3.991 Month
  • All Access, Removing Ad$34.991 Year
One-time5
  • Removing Ad$9.99
  • Theme, Folder and Night Mode$9.99
  • Passcode Lock$9.99
Show 2 more
  • Super Hidden$9.99
  • All Features & Removing Ad$149.99

Questions

Is FileBrowserGO free?
FileBrowserGO is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is FileMate free?
FileMate is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, FileBrowserGO or FileMate?
FileMate is rated higher. FileBrowserGO averages 4.4 out of 5 from 700 ratings, while FileMate averages 4.6 from 378 ratings.
Do FileBrowserGO or FileMate have ads?
FileMate shows ads; FileBrowserGO does not.
Which is updated more often, FileBrowserGO or FileMate?
FileBrowserGO ships an update monthly, and FileMate every 2 weeks. Most recently, FileBrowserGO was updated on September 22, 2026 and FileMate on September 25, 2026.

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