Comparison

Files vs X File Manager

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

X File Manager

Manage your files, photos, videos, and documents with a powerful and intuitive interface. Organize, protect, and share your data easily with features like passcode protection, compression, and cloud integration.

Highlights
  • Smart file organization
  • Passcode and folder protection
  • File compression (ZIP)
  • Built-in web browser and downloader
  • Cloud storage integration (Google Drive, Dropbox)
  • Document scanner
  • Light and dark themes
Features
Read full description

X File Manager provide better capabilities of File Explorer, Video Management, Photo Management, Document Management. ◉ SMART FILE MANAGER Not just a File Manager, to help you manage your files more efficiently, also variety of powerful editing, compressing and security features, you can create folders, protect folders with passcodes and zip large folders for easy transfer. Create separate folders for photos, videos, notes, documents, or work files. Everything is easy with the app’s super-intuitive interface and neat design. ◉ POWERFUL VIEWER Designed with convenience in mind, X File Manager supports a wide range of the most popular file formats, including mp4, mov, jpeg, png, pdf, docx, rtf, zip and more... Meaning you can view photos, videos, documents, notes and more! ◉ SIMPLE FILE SHARING With numerous file-sharing options, the sharing of documents is super-easy. Share via external apps, or do a wi-fi or iTunes transfer, or also upload your files on the Cloud and share them via a link. The sharing of files and folders has never been this easy! ◉ SUPPORTED FILE FORMAT ▸ Photos & Video (HEIC, JPEG, PNG, MOV, MP4...) ▸ Read-Only Documents (PDF, DOC(x), XLS(x), RTF...) ▸ Compress (RAR, ZIP & Password ZIP) ▸ And much more… ◉ SHARE CAPACITY ▸ Wifi-Transfer ▸ iTune (via Cable) ▸ External App Share ◉ BUILT-IN BROWSER ▸ Simple and easy to use, no learning curve required ▸ Private Tab and Multiple tab support ▸ Powerful Photo Downloader, PDF Downloader, Zip/RAR Downloader, Video Downloader to help download video, photo, archive easily. ◉ KEY FEATURES ▸ Document Scanner ▸ Passcode Protection ▸ File & Folder Editing (Copy/Cut/Paste/Delete…) ▸ (Secure) Compress (ZIP) ▸ Specific Folder Lock ▸ Built-In Web Browser & Downloader ▸ Google Drive & DropBox Support ▸ Dual Theme (Light & Dark) X File Manager app is a must-have for any modern individuals handling different kinds of data on their iOS devices. Download now for free and let us know about any bugs, questions, feature requests or any other suggestions.

Screenshots

Files4 screens
X File Manager4 screens

Verdict

The call

Files and X File Manager both sit at 4.7 stars, but that hides the real split: 100% of X File Manager's written reviews are positive against 55% of Files's. X File Manager also leads on update cadence (fortnightly vs every 4 months) and device support (3 vs 1). Files's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and ratings volume (12K vs 89). On price, rating, 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 X File Manager 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

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.7 for Files against 4.7 for X File Manager. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Files has 12K ratings behind it against 89, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 55% of Files's written reviews are positive against 100% of X File Manager's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Files ships an update every 4 months, X File Manager fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on September 20, 2026 and August 29, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
Files versus X File Manager: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterFilesX File Manager
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.7 (12K ratings)4.7 (89 ratings)
Positive reviews55.3% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings12K — better89
Update frequencyEvery 4 monthsFortnightly — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhoneiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS26.015.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size56 MB46 MB
Age rating17+17+
DeveloperHian Zin JongNguyen Luong

Customer experience

Files

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

X File Manager

All ratings89 ratings
Positive93.3%
Neutral1.1%
Negative5.6%
Written reviews4 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

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

X File Manager

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

X File Manager

One-time1
  • X-File (Ultimate Upgrade)$4.99

Questions

Is Files free?
Files is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is X File Manager free?
X File Manager is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Files or X File Manager?
Files and X File Manager are both rated 4.7 out of 5 on the App Store, from 12K and 89 ratings respectively.
Do Files or X File Manager have ads?
X File Manager shows ads; Files does not.
Which is updated more often, Files or X File Manager?
Files ships an update every 4 months, and X File Manager fortnightly. Most recently, Files was updated on September 20, 2026 and X File Manager on August 29, 2026.

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