FileViewer XL for iPad vs File Manager
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
FileViewer XL for iPad
This application provides comprehensive file management for your iPad, enabling viewing, storage, transfer, printing, and emailing of various document and media types. It supports numerous file formats, including PDFs, Office documents, images, and audio/video files, with robust organizational and search features.
- View over 30 file types
- Robust PDF reader
- File transfer via Wi-Fi, USB, AirDrop, and email
- Folder creation and management
- Global search and filtering
- Create and unzip archives
- Print documents and images
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OVERVIEW • FileViewer XL is a file viewing, storage, transfer, printing, and email application for the iPad. It includes one of the best PDF viewers for the iPad and can also view many other file types. Files are transferred to FileViewer XL, via iTunes (Finder in Mac OS 10.15 Catalina or later), using a Wi-Fi or USB connection, or via email, AirDrop, the Files app, or connected devices such as thumb drives. FILE VIEWING • Supported file types for direct viewing or listening include portable document format (.pdf), Microsoft Word (.doc & .docx), rich text format (.rtf), plain text files (.txt), Microsoft Excel (.xls & .xlsx), Microsoft PowerPoint (.ppt & .pptx), iWork files (.pages, .key, & .numbers), HTML documents (.html & .htm), web archives (.webarchive), image files (.jpg, .jpeg, .jp2, single & multipage .tif/.tiff, .gif, .bmp, & .png), audio files (.m4a - Apple Lossless & AAC formats, .mp3, .wav, and .aif), video files (.mp4, .m4v, .mov, and .3gp), and other file types (.h, .m, .c, .java, .js, .csv, & .log). • PDF reader is fast, handles large pdf files, and opens password-protected pdfs. A thumbnail scroll bar feature facilitates viewing of long documents. Pages can be bookmarked. • Photos from the Photos app on the iPad can be transferred to and viewed in FileViewer. • Images can be copied from this app to the iPad's camera roll. Images in a given folder can be viewed as a slide show. • Audio player which plays audio files in the background. • Video player with picture-in-picture feature. • Landscape mode as well as zooming and panning is supported for viewing documents and images. • Web browser allows for saving of files from the internet to FileViewer XL. FILE & FOLDER MANAGEMENT • Folders can be created to organize files. • Files and folders can be deleted and renamed as well as moved or copied from one folder to another. • Multiple files can be deleted or moved to a different folder at the same time. • FileViewer files can be opened in other apps on the iPad. • File and folder lists can easily be filtered by file type, folders, search phrase, and first letter of name. • Global search feature allows for searching of all directories for a given file or files. • Files and folders can be sorted by date, size, and modification date (ascending & descending). • Zip archives can be transferred to and unzipped in FileViewer, providing easy one-step transfer of groups of files and/or folders. Zip archives can be created from files and folders stored in FileViewer XL. • Capability to save most document types as a PDF. • Dragging and dropping of files into folders. AIRDROP • With AirDrop, users can share files between supported iOS devices, as well as between an iPadOS device and computer. SOCIAL MEDIA • Post images and web pages to Facebook and Twitter. EMAIL • Files ≤ 20 MB can be emailed as an attachment. • Email attachments can be transferred from the iPad's Mail app to FileViewer XL. PRINTING • Documents and images can be printed to AirPrint/ePrint compatible printers. CLOUD STORAGE • Connectivity to iCloud Drive, Box, Dropbox, Google Drive, and Microsoft OneDrive. AIRPLAY & DISPLAYING FILES ON AN EXTERNAL DISPLAY • Using AirPlay, you can wirelessly stream iPad screen output, via an Apple TV, to an HDTV. • Audio can be wirelessly streamed using AirPlay, via an Apple TV, to an audio system. REQUIREMENTS • iPadOS 15 (or higher). • Files are transferred to FileViewer XL, via iTunes (Finder in Mac OS 10.15 Catalina or later), using a Wi-Fi or USB connection, or via email, AirDrop, the Files app, or connected devices such as thumb drives. SECURITY • Use your fingerprint (Face ID on select iPads) or a password to protect access to FileViewer XL. • Individual files are protected using iOS data protection. HELP • Help is available within the FileViewer XL application.
File Manager
This app is a powerful file manager that allows for quick multitasking and editing of various file types. It supports cloud storage integration, secure file transfer, and robust document viewing and editing capabilities.
- 3-Finger Task Switching
- Cloud Storage Integration
- FTP/HTTP/WebDAV Sharing
- Document Reader & Text Editor
- Zip Archiving with Encryption
- Passcode Security
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"The ability to use multi touch to quickly move between viewing and editing files is also very good if you’re willing to utilize it." - Touch Reviews ***** Folder Plus is an In-App Multitasking Capable File Manager/Viewer/Editor, with 3-Finger Swipes You Switch between Tasks of File Managing, Viewing, Editing, etc QUICKLY ***** Folder Plus's Features - Total File Manager - Exclusive 3-Finger Task Switch - Lightning Fast USB File Transfer - Robust FTP/HTTP/WebDAV Sharing Server - Support Dropbox, Google Drive, Box, iCloud, OneDrive - Wide Range of Supported File Types - Document Reader - Text Editor - Audio Recorder - Simple Image Editor - Media Player - Structured Directory Browsing - View Restore of Long Documents - Zip Archiver (compress & decompress, secure with password encryption) - Long Press to Bring up Context Menu - Multiple Files/Folders Operations - Attach Files/Folders to Emails - Search - Auto Recovery of Editing Documents - Passcode Security - WiFi Authentication (FTP/HTTP/WebDAV) - User Account Manager (FTP/HTTP/WebDAV) - Send Files as Email Attachments - Open Files in Compatible Apps (iBooks, ...) - Open Supported Files Requested by Other Apps (Safari, Mail Attachments, ...) - Portrait/Landscape Support - Support Translation for Selected Text When Reading Documents (PDF, DOC, PAGES) - Support Thumbnails - Support AirPrint Supported File Types - PDF Files - Microsoft Office Files (Word, Excel and PowerPoint) - iWork Files (Pages, Numbers and Keynote) - Image Files (JPG, PNG, GIF, TIFF, PSD) - HTML Files - Web Archives - Plain Text Files - Audio Files (MP3, AAC, Apple Lossless, WAVE, AIFF, CAF) - Video Files (QuickTime, MP4, M4V, MPV) - Archive Files (.zip/.cbz, .rar/.cbr, .7z/.cb7; handle passwords, splits) Supported File Operations - Folder/Sub-Folder Creation - Text File Creation/Editing - Image File Creation/Editing - Audio Recording Creation - Take Photos & Video - Import Photos & Video from the Photos App - Export Photos & Video to the Photos App - Open as Text File - Move/Copy/Zip/Email/Delete on Single/Multiple File(s)/Folder(s) - Folder Merge during Copying/Moving - View File/Folder Properties - Rename Files/Folders - Search Files/Folders - Search within Search USB Transfer Client - Folder Plus USB Recommended FTP Clients - Cyberduck - Filezilla - Windows Explorer Recommended WebDAV Clients - Mac OS X's Finder - Windows Explorer - Cyberduck Recommended Browser for Web Transfer - Chrome - Safari - Firefox * All listed clients/browsers can be thought of file manager apps as well running on desktop to manage the files off device WiFi Transfer Requirements A WiFi connection is required to transfer document files between Folder Plus and FTP/HTTP/Web clients More features are on the way
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is update cadence: File Manager at every 3 weeks against FileViewer XL for iPad's every 4 months. File Manager also leads on review sentiment (84% vs 61%) and chart position (#174 vs unranked). FileViewer XL for iPad's advantage is price ($3.99 vs $4.99). On 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
FileViewer XL for iPad costs $3.99 and File Manager $4.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
FileViewer XL for iPad ships an update every 4 months, File Manager every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 19, 2026 and September 24, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | FileViewer XL for iPad | File Manager |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $3.99 — better | $4.99 |
| Rating | — | 4.4 (242 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 60.7% of reviews | 83.8% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | — | 242 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 4 months | Every 3 weeks — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Paid | Free — better |
| Best chart rank | — | #174 — better |
| Devices | iPad | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | 8.2 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 15 MB | 33 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Mitchell COHEN | The Very Games |
Customer experience
FileViewer XL for iPad
File Manager
Bugs and requests
FileViewer XL for iPad
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
File Manager
Reported bugs
5 issues- Crashes on startup
- Incompatible with latest iOS
- Unable to save images to library
- MP3 files crash the app
- FTP connection issues
Requested features
8 requests- Touch ID
- Folder password protection
- Larger photo preview
- Update for new iOS versions
- Bluetooth file transfer
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- Rotation lock in full screen
- Folder color customization
- Folder locking
In-app purchases
FileViewer XL for iPad
No in-app purchases
File Manager
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is FileViewer XL for iPad free?
Is File Manager free?
Do FileViewer XL for iPad or File Manager have ads?
Which is updated more often, FileViewer XL for iPad or File Manager?
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