Comparison

Files vs Documents

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

This app is a comprehensive file manager and document editor for mobile devices. It allows users to organize, edit, convert, and annotate various file types, including PDFs, Office documents, and audio/video files. It also features transcription, scanning, and cloud integration.

Highlights
  • Edit PDFs directly
  • Convert files to PDF
  • Organize files and folders
  • Transcribe audio and video
  • Scan documents
  • Play audio and video
  • Transfer files via Wi-Fi
Features
Read full description

Documents by Readdle is a super app for iPhone and iPad. It’s your all-in-one solution for working with files at home, in the office, at university, or on the go. Whether you edit, annotate, convert, listen to, or read, Documents brings everything together in one seamless experience. From books, scans, and receipts to articles, PDFs, audio, and video files, and even ZIP & RAR archives — every type of content finds its home in Documents. One app – infinite capabilities. Serving as your PDF reader, document viewer, file manager, cloud storage integrator, and music and video player, Documents replaces a dozen standalone apps with one beautifully designed, intuitive hub for all your files. Explore a wide range of features designed to help you get things done quickly and efficiently. PDF EDITOR • Edit or modify existing text directly in a PDF – just like in a Word document • Highlight and annotate important info in books using colors, text, or stickers • Sign PDF contracts on the go with e-signatures • Merge and combine multiple PDFs into one • Add, delete, and rearrange pages with a thumbnail preview • Rotate and reorder pages in PDFs FILE CONVERTER • Convert PDF, DOCX, JPG, JPEG, PNG, HEIC, WEBP, and more • Create PDFs from documents, photos, and images • Convert PDFs into editable formats and back • Switch between image formats in just a few taps MANAGE AND ARCHIVE FILES & FOLDERS • Organize your files and create folders to suit your needs • Use Reminders by setting a date/time to be notified about a specific file • Rename and color-tag files for quick access • Use Smart Actions and get contextual recommendations for the most relevant next step • Use Zip/Unzip and RAR extractor tools • Open Office files and eBooks with ease AI TOOLS • Transcribe audio and video to text, then edit, annotate, store in the cloud, or share — all within Documents • Use Smart Eraser to remove unwanted objects from photos SCANNER • Scan receipts, books, and documents using the built-in iOS scanning engine and save them directly in Documents AUDIO & VIDEO PLAYER • Listen to music online and offline • Watch movies imported from your computer or online sources • Access your photo and video library easily AUDIO EDITOR • Trim, cut, remove silence, edit metadata, and extract MP3 Wi-Fi FILE TRANSFER • Transfer music, videos, photos, or documents from your iPhone or iPad to a Mac or PC and vice versa with our super-fast Wi-Fi Transfer technology AUDIO & VIDEO TRANSCRIPTION • Transcribe audio and video to text instantly • Convert voice recordings to editable notes • Turn videos into clear, searchable text • Use accurate speech-to-text tools for meetings, lectures, and interviews • Export and share transcriptions anywhere IMPORT & SAVE FILES • Import from your computer, cloud, WebDAV, or nearby devices • Download files from the web browser directly into Documents • Save email attachments in one place • Save links from any external app or web browser INTEGRATE ALL CLOUD SERVICES • Work in iCloud, Dropbox, Google Drive, and other services without downloading files • Set up two-way sync to the specific folders to automatically upload your files SEE WHAT OTHERS HAVE SAID ABOUT OUR APP Documents is an App Store Editors’ Choice winner. Read more about our terms and conditions here: https://documents.io/legal/privacy https://documents.io/legal/terms

Screenshots

Files4 screens
Documents4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: Documents at weekly against Files's every 4 months. Documents also leads on ratings volume (626K vs 12K) and review sentiment (71% vs 55%). On price, rating, ads 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. Files sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per month and Documents sells 13 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per 7 days. 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 4.8 for Documents. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Documents has 626K ratings behind it against 12K, 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 71% of Documents's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Files ships an update every 4 months, Documents weekly. The most recent releases landed on September 20, 2026 and September 24, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 6 level
Files versus Documents: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterFilesDocuments
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.7 (12K ratings)4.8 (626K ratings) — better
Positive reviews55.3% of reviews71.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings12K626K — better
Update frequencyEvery 4 monthsWeekly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
Best chart rank#69 — better
DevicesiPhoneiPhone, iPad — better
Requires iOS26.016.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size56 MB431 MB
Age rating17+17+
DeveloperHian Zin JongReaddle Technologies Limited

Customer experience

Files

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

Documents

All ratings626,280 ratings
Positive95.2%
Neutral2.2%
Negative2.6%
Written reviews2,959 reviews
Positive71.0%
Neutral6.9%
Negative22.1%

User reviews

Files

From 12K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Easy to collect content
  • 👍 User-friendly interface
  • 💡 Useful for offline access
  • 🚀 Quick downloads
  • 👍 Reliable app

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Crashes/glitches
  • 🔒 Security concerns
  • 💰 Subscription model issues
  • 🔋 Drains battery
  • 🐛 Compatibility issues with iOS updates

Documents

From 626K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 💯 Excellent file management capabilities
  • 🚀 Seamless integration with cloud services
  • 📚 Versatile document viewer and editor
  • 🎵 Reliable offline music player
  • 👍 Intuitive and user-friendly interface

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Occasional crashes and bugs
  • 🔒 Concerns over in-app subscription model
  • 🔍 Inconsistent search and file management functionality
  • 🔋 High storage consumption
  • 🤔 Confusing changes in recent updates

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

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • Disappearing downloaded files and folders
  • Unreliable audio playback with skipping and pausing
  • Inability to open certain file types after updates
  • Syncing issues between local storage and cloud services

Requested features

5 requests
  • Customizable volume controls for audio playback
  • Improved PDF annotation tools
  • Option to expand/collapse all bookmarks in documents
  • Ability to permanently delete files
  • Faster file transfer and syncing between devices

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
13 purchases

Documents

Subscriptions13
  • Documents Plus7 Days trial$4.997 Days
  • Documents Plus$9.991 Month
  • Documents Plus1 Month trial$9.991 Month
Show 10 more
  • Documents Plus7 Days trial$9.991 Month
  • Documents Plus3 Days trial$9.991 Month
  • Documents Plus7 Days trial$12.491 Month
  • Documents VPN3 Days trial$12.491 Month
  • Documents VPN7 Days trial$12.491 Month
  • Documents Plus7 Days trial$14.991 Month
  • Documents Plus3 Days trial$14.991 Month
  • Documents Plus7 Days trial$49.991 Year
  • Documents Plus7 Days trial$59.991 Year
  • Documents VPN7 Days trial$89.991 Year

Questions

Is Files free?
Files is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Documents free?
Documents is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Files or Documents?
Documents is rated higher. Files averages 4.7 out of 5 from 12K ratings, while Documents averages 4.8 from 626K ratings.
Do Files or Documents have ads?
Neither Files nor Documents shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Files or Documents?
Files ships an update every 4 months, and Documents weekly. Most recently, Files was updated on September 20, 2026 and Documents on September 24, 2026.

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