# Files vs Pearltrees

The clearest difference is rating: Files at 4.7 against Pearltrees's 4.2. Files also leads on ratings volume (12K vs 186). Pearltrees's advantage is review sentiment (86% vs 55%) and device support (3 vs 1). On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Files sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per month and Pearltrees sells 10 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Files holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.2. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Files has 12K ratings behind it against 186, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 55% of Files's written reviews are positive against 86% of Pearltrees's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

Files ships an update every 4 months, Pearltrees every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on September 20, 2026 and September 24, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Files | Pearltrees |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.7 (12K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/files-file-manager-and-browser/id349275540/reviews)** | [4.2 (186 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pearltrees/id463462134/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **12K** | 186 |
| Positive reviews | 55.3% of reviews | **85.9% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 4 months | **Every 3 months** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Freemium |
| Size | 56 MB | 96 MB |
| Requires iOS | 26.0 | **15.0** |
| Devices | iPhone | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 17+ | 12+ |
| Developer | [Hian Zin Jong](https://appshunter.io/developer/298442756) | [Broceliand SAS](https://appshunter.io/developer/463462137) |

## What reviewers say

### Files

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/files-file-manager-and-browser/id349275540)

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:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (4)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Monthly Subscription | $0.99 | per month |
| Monthly Subscription | $0.99 | per month |
| Yearly Subscription | $5.99 | per year |
| Full Version Upgrade | $4.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

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

**What reviewers complain about**

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

**Reported bugs**

- 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**

- Add equalizer
- Improve search functionality
- Enable background downloads
- Integrate with native Files app
- Add playlist management options


### Pearltrees

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pearltrees/id463462134)

Organize all your digital content, from web pages to files, into visually appealing collections. Enhance your content with AI and discover new resources on topics you love. Access your organized information anytime, anywhere, and collaborate with others.

**Highlights:** Organize all content types, AI content transformation, Discover and share resources, Access collections anywhere, Collaborate on topics, Visual content collections

**In-app purchases (10)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| the Pearltrees Premium Personal plan | $1.99 | per month |
| the Pearltrees Premium Personal plan | $2.99 | per month |
| the Pearltrees Premium Advanced plan | $3.99 | per month |
| the Pearltrees Premium Advanced plan | $4.99 | per month |
| the Pearltrees Premium Professional plan | $9.99 | per month |
| the Pearltrees Premium Personal plan | $19.99 | per year |
| the Pearltrees Premium Personal plan | $29.99 | per year |
| the Pearltrees Premium Advanced plan | $39.99 | per year |
| the Pearltrees Premium Advanced plan | $49.99 | per year |
| month | $1.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Easy to use
- 🚀 Visually appealing and intuitive
- 💡 Excellent for organizing and sharing web content
- 👍 Seamless cross-platform experience
- 💡 Collaborative features for sharing and discovering new content

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🔒 Privacy concerns with public profiles by default
- 🐛 Occasional crashes and performance issues
- 💡 Desire for more customization options (e.g., private trees, custom icons)
- 🐛 Difficulty in navigating large collections of 'pearls'

**Reported bugs**

- Login and sign-up process can be confusing
- Syncing issues between devices
- Compatibility problems with older devices and operating systems

**Requested features**

- Add ability to take notes, annotate, and add context to 'pearls'
- Improve search and organization tools for large collections
- Provide more privacy controls and options for private content
- Integrate with more third-party services and apps


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Files free?

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

### Is Pearltrees free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Files or Pearltrees?

Files is rated higher. Files averages 4.7 out of 5 from 12K ratings, while Pearltrees averages 4.2 from 186 ratings.

### Do Files or Pearltrees have ads?

Neither Files nor Pearltrees shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Files or Pearltrees?

Files ships an update every 4 months, and Pearltrees every 3 months. Most recently, Files was updated on September 20, 2026 and Pearltrees on September 24, 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.*