Comparison

Files vs Documents Reader+files browser

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

Head to head
About

Files

This app provides a web browser to save documents for offline viewing on your device. It includes a robust file manager with viewers for various document types, a photo browser, PDF reader, and Dropbox integration.

Highlights
  • Web browser for offline viewing
  • Built-in file manager
  • Advanced PDF reader
  • Photo browser
  • Dropbox integration
  • File transfer via HTTP/FTP
  • Passcode lock
Features
Read full description

Files App (formerly known as Downloads Lite) features a Web browser that lets you save documents to your iPhone or iPod touch so that you can work with them offline. It has a built-in file manager, with robust viewer for all iOS supported document types, powerful photo browser, advanced PDF reader, full Dropbox support, and more. NOTE: This app does not support downloading of audio or video content. FEATURES √ Full portrait & landscape mode support √ Passcode lock √ Web browser - Provides a user experience very similar to Mobile Safari - Tabbed browsing - Tap and hold on an image to download it - Tap and hold to force download - Save web pages with images for offline viewing - Full screen mode - Bookmark manager - History support - Address bar auto-completion - HTTP basic authentication - Form-based authentication - Integrated Google or Yahoo! search - Ability to spoof browser's User-Agent string to display web pages like Firefox - Unified smart search field. Type a URL or search term in the unified smart search field, the browser automatically suggests the closest match to what you’re looking for. √ Download manager - Fast downloading speed - Supports resuming of interrupted downloads reliably - Live download progress bar and speed indicator - Active downloads badge number - Add arbitrary download link - Always download with correct filename √ File manager - Full screen document viewer that supports .pdf, .doc, .xls, .ppt, .txt, .html and .rtf file formats - Folders support - Move, rename and delete files - Search by file name - Extract RAR archives - Unzip ZIP files - Remember document scroll position - Attempt to open file of unrecognized format - Import photos from camera roll √ Dropbox integration - Upload, download and manage files - Sync what you want, keep files on your device √ Advanced PDF viewer - Huge PDF files work flawlessly - Text search - Tap PDF links to jump across the file √ Photo viewer - Tap or swipe to move between images in a folder - Zoom in and out with pinch gesture - Ability to save images to photo album - Thumbnails view √ File transfer - Supports HTTP and FTP protocols - Supports iTunes USB File Sharing - Transfer files to and from computer in Wi-Fi network - Send files as email attachments (size under 15MB) √ Mobile Safari Integration - Bookmarklet for Mobile Safari that lets you open any link in Files app √ Multitasking - Background downloading √ Inter-app document interchange - Other apps can save their files to Files app (e.g. Email app can save attachments to Files app) √ Recovery Mode - If the browser caught in an endless loop of pop-up alerts, go to the iOS built-in "Settings" app, find "Files App", turn on "Recovery Mode", then force-quit and relaunch the app. Terms of Use: https://downloadsapp.info/terms Privacy Policy: https://downloadsapp.info/privacy

About

Documents Reader+files browser

This app allows you to download, manage, and edit various document and image file types directly on your iPhone or iPad. It includes a web browser for downloading, a file manager for organization, and advanced editors for PDFs, images, and office documents. Files can be easily shared across multiple cloud services and devices.

Highlights
  • Download DOC, PDF, XLS, TXT, IMG files
  • Manage files: rename, move, Zip/UnZip
  • Advanced PDF editor
  • Advanced Image editor
  • Edit office files (DOC, XLS, TXT)
  • Share via WiFi, iCloud, Dropbox, Google Drive
Features
Read full description

Doc Reader – instant files downloader and reader for your iPhone, iPad and iPod touch: - Download files: DOC, XLS, PDF, TXT, IMG, PNG, JPEG and more - Manage files: rename, move, Zip / UnZip, delete - Advanced PDF editor - Advanced Image Editor - Edit office files: DOC, XLS, TXT - Share files: iTunes, WiFi, iCloud, DropBox, Google Drive, Evernote, Box Web Browser - browse and download all types of documents in a single tap - supported formats: DOC, XLS, PDF, TXT, IMG, PNG, JPEG and more - supported download features: pause, restart, cancel - download status: percentage, time File Manager - create folders - rename files and folders - move to folder feature - Zip / UnZip files - delete files or folders - documents slide menu Sharing - WiFi sharing - MultiCloud suport: iCloud, DropBox, Evernote, Box, Google Drive - Open In feature - iTunes sharing Editor - Advanced PDF editor: underline, draw, add text, delete text - Advanced Image editor: insert stickers and text, crop and change image orientation, tilt shift feature and more - DOC, TXT, RTF text editor - xls, doc, png, jpg, txt, rtf preview We are glad to hear ideas from you! Please use the feedback form in Settings menu for all your suggestions and issues.

Screenshots

Files4 screens
Documents Reader+files browser4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Files at 4.7 against Documents Reader+files browser's 3.1. Files also leads on ads (none vs shown) and ratings volume (12K vs 28). Documents Reader+files browser's advantage is device support (3 vs 1) and iOS requirement (12.0 vs 26.0). On price, update cadence, in-app purchases and monetization model 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. Files sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per month and Documents Reader+files browser sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Files holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 3.1. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Files has 12K ratings behind it against 28, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 55% of Files's written reviews are positive against 46% of Documents Reader+files browser's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 4 months. The most recent releases landed on September 20, 2026 and August 19, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
Files versus Documents Reader+files browser: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterFilesDocuments Reader+files browser
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.7 (12K ratings) — better3.1 (28 ratings)
Positive reviews55.3% of reviews — better46.0% of reviews
Number of ratings12K — better28
Update frequencyEvery 4 monthsEvery 4 months
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhoneiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS26.012.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size56 MB111 MB
Age rating17+17+
DeveloperHian Zin JongAttribute

Customer experience

Files

All ratings12,459 ratings
Positive92.1%
Neutral2.9%
Negative5.0%
Written reviews566 reviews
Positive55.3%
Neutral9.2%
Negative35.5%

Documents Reader+files browser

All ratings28 ratings
Positive50.0%
Neutral7.1%
Negative42.9%
Written reviews50 reviews
Positive46.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative54.0%

Bugs and requests

Files

Reported bugs

5 issues
  • Crashes when opening images/videos
  • Download links not working
  • Restore purchases not functioning
  • App not opening on iOS 13+
  • Inconsistent behavior when switching tabs

Requested features

6 requests
  • Add equalizer
  • Improve search functionality
  • Enable background downloads
  • Integrate with native Files app
  • Add playlist management options
Show 1 more
  • Improve video playback controls

Documents Reader+files browser

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

4 purchases

Files

Subscriptions3
  • Monthly Subscription$0.991 Month
  • Monthly Subscription7 Days trial$0.991 Month
  • Yearly Subscription$5.991 Year
One-time1
  • Full Version Upgrade$4.99
1 purchases

Documents Reader+files browser

One-time1
  • Documents Reader Pro$4.99

Questions

Is Files free?
Files is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Documents Reader+files browser free?
Documents Reader+files browser is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Files or Documents Reader+files browser?
Files is rated higher. Files averages 4.7 out of 5 from 12K ratings, while Documents Reader+files browser averages 3.1 from 28 ratings.
Do Files or Documents Reader+files browser have ads?
Documents Reader+files browser shows ads; Files does not.
Which is updated more often, Files or Documents Reader+files browser?
Files ships an update every 4 months, and Documents Reader+files browser every 4 months. Most recently, Files was updated on September 20, 2026 and Documents Reader+files browser on August 19, 2026.

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