# FileBrowser vs Files Protection

The clearest difference is price: Files Protection at Free against FileBrowser's $7.99. Files Protection also leads on update cadence (fortnightly vs every 5 weeks) and iOS requirement (13.0 vs 15.6). FileBrowser's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1) and ads (none vs shown). On rating and device support there is nothing between them.

Files Protection is free to download; FileBrowser costs $7.99 up front. Files Protection sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. FileBrowser asks for nothing beyond the download.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.7 for FileBrowser against 4.6 for Files Protection. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: FileBrowser has 5.6K ratings behind it against 601, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 82% of FileBrowser's written reviews are positive against 58% of Files Protection's.

FileBrowser ships an update every 5 weeks, Files Protection fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on September 24, 2026 and September 22, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | FileBrowser | Files Protection |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $7.99 | **Free** |
| Rating | **[4.7 (5.6K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/filebrowser-documents-manager/id364738545/reviews)** | [4.6 (601 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/files-protection/id1390264165/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **5.6K** | 601 |
| Positive reviews | **82.1% of reviews** | 58.3% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 5 weeks | **Fortnightly** |
| Monetization | Paid | **Free with in-app purchases** |
| Size | 70 MB | 77 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.6 | **13.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 17+ |
| Developer | [Stratospherix Ltd](https://appshunter.io/developer/323133606) | [Binh Tran](https://appshunter.io/developer/1386007300) |

## What reviewers say

### FileBrowser

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/filebrowser-documents-manager/id364738545)

Access and manage files across your home computers, network drives, and cloud storage. Upload, download, copy, and edit documents directly from your device, with built-in viewers for various file types and streaming capabilities.

**Highlights:** Connect to computers, NAS, and cloud storage, Upload, download, copy, and move files, Multi-tabbed browsing and split-screen support, Edit documents in-place, Built-in viewers for documents, photos, and media, Stream movies and music with AirPlay/Chromecast, Annotate PDFs and images

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Great file manager
- 🚀 Powerful and versatile
- 🔒 Secure access to files
- 💡 Excellent integration with iOS Files app
- 👍 Reliable and stable

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 SMB connection issues
- 🐛 Misleading directory caching
- 🐛 Video playback problems
- 🐛 Buggy UI changes
- 🐛 Inability to rename photos

**Reported bugs**

- Copy and paste functionality broken after update
- Inability to access iCloud files
- Crashes when accessing large files
- Thumbnails not generating properly

**Requested features**

- Add support for AV1 video codec
- Improve audio playback controls
- Implement a recycle bin/trash feature
- Add option to loop video playback
- Improve video scrubbing and seeking


### Files Protection

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/files-protection/id1390264165)

Securely manage, view, and download files on your iPhone or iPad. Protect your sensitive documents, photos, and videos with a passcode and enjoy a powerful media player and document viewer.

**Highlights:** Secure file management with passcode, Document viewer for various formats, Powerful media player, File downloader with web browser, Dark mode support, File sharing via AirDrop

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Remove Advertisments | $1.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🔒 Strong privacy and security features
- 👍 Easy to use interface
- 💾 Effective file storage and organization
- 🎯 Good for hiding sensitive photos and videos
- 🔄 Regular app updates

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Frequent app crashes after updates
- ⚠️ Data loss after app deletion or reinstallation
- 🔐 No password recovery mechanism
- 🚫 Video loading failures
- ⚡ Slow performance and loading times

**Reported bugs**

- App crashes 7 seconds after launch
- Passcode authentication not working after updates
- App force closes unexpectedly
- Files disappear from app despite existing in device storage
- Video import from library not functioning

**Requested features**

- Backup and restore functionality
- Password recovery option
- Touch ID/Biometric authentication support
- Dark mode
- GIF file support


## Frequently asked questions

### Is FileBrowser free?

FileBrowser costs $7.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Files Protection free?

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

### Which has better reviews, FileBrowser or Files Protection?

FileBrowser is rated higher. FileBrowser averages 4.7 out of 5 from 5.6K ratings, while Files Protection averages 4.6 from 601 ratings.

### Do FileBrowser or Files Protection have ads?

Files Protection shows ads; FileBrowser does not.

### Which is updated more often, FileBrowser or Files Protection?

FileBrowser ships an update every 5 weeks, and Files Protection fortnightly. Most recently, FileBrowser was updated on September 24, 2026 and Files Protection on September 22, 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.*