Comparison

USB Disk vs ES File Explorer

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

USB Disk

Manage and view documents on your iPhone or iPad with this intuitive file manager. Access cloud storage, open various file types, and transfer files via iTunes. Advanced features like photo library access and PDF annotation are available via subscription.

Highlights
  • Cloud storage integration (Dropbox, Google Drive, OneDrive, Box)
  • Built-in document viewer for various file types
  • File transfer via iTunes
  • Create and open zip files
  • Swipe navigation and file previews
  • Email documents and download attachments
Features
Read full description

USB Disk lets you store, view and manage documents on your iPhone or iPad. It has an amazing built in document viewer and is very easy to use, with a simple and intuitive interface, yet it contains many powerful features. Drag and drop files in iTunes to transfer them to your iPhone or iPad, then view them anywhere! TUAW - "USB Disk is [...] a nicely designed one." Lifehacker - "The Best. USB Disk for iOS gives you a fast and easy way to transfer documents and images to your device." Apple - "New and Noteworthy" TOP REASONS TO BUY • Access Dropbox, Google Drive, OneDrive and Box. • Open and create zip files. • Store and view files. • Navigate using swipes (like Photos / iBooks app). • Thumbnails let you preview your files. • Copy, paste, cut, delete and create files. MORE FEATURES • View and download email attachments. • Restores last viewing position. • Full screen file viewer. • CBR and CBZ file viewer. • USB file transfers. • Background audio. • Slideshow with adjustable delay. • Fast scrolling, page up/down functionalities. • Email your documents. • Lock code. SUPPORTED FILE TYPES • PDF files. • Compressed files (zip, rar). • MS Office documents. • iWork documents. • Pictures (jpg, png, gif, ...). • eBooks (pdf, ePub, html, txt, ...). • Comics (cbr, cbz, pdf, ...). • Audio files (mp3, m4a, wav, ...). • Video files (m4v, mov, avi, mkv, ...). UPDATES Buy now and get free updates. SUBSCRIPTION All features listed above can be used without an in app purchase. Some advanced features require an active subscription. These include: • Access the device's photos library. • Protect the access to the app or specific files and folders with lock codes. • Access WebDAV and FTP servers. You can also configure SharePoint connections. • Edit simple text files. Also annotate PDF files. • Present files on external screens. Duration and price of each subscription are displayed in our storefront. All subscription costs will be charged to your Apple ID account, starting at the confirmation of purchase. Subscription automatically renews unless it is canceled at least 24 hours before the end of the subscription period. Your account will be charged for renewal within 24 hours prior to the end of the subscription period. It is not possible to cancel a subscription period once you have been charged for it. Any unused portion of a free trial period is forfeited as soon as a subscription is purchased. You can manage subscriptions and disable auto renewal by going to your account settings on the App Store after purchase. Terms of Service: https://imesart.com/legal/terms-of-service.php

About

ES File Explorer

Manage local and network files with this comprehensive tool. It offers file transfer, compression, built-in media players, cloud storage integration, and editing capabilities for various document and code formats.

Highlights
  • File management and sorting
  • WiFi and face-to-face file transfer
  • ZIP, RAR, 7Z compression/decompression
  • Built-in audio/video player
  • Cloud storage aggregation
  • Remote service access (SMB, FTP, WebDAV)
  • PDF and code editor
Features
Read full description

ES File Explorer is a local and network file management tool that can help you manage files easily. 【The main function】 -File management You can create new directories, rename, move, delete files, etc. Support file sorting by name, date, size The iPad version supports features such as split screen, picture-in-picture, and drag-and-drop operations between apps - file transfer WiFi transmission function: support the transfer of files between the mobile terminal and the computer terminal Face-to-face fast transfer function: support for transferring files between mobile phones -Compress and decompress Support the compression and decompression of ZIP, RAR, 7Z format files Support Chinese password -Built-in audio and video player Support functions: double-speed playback (0.5~2.0), background playback, small window playback, etc. Can directly play audio and video resources in the network disk, local area, and local area network -Netdisk aggregation No need to download, you can access and use the files in the network disk Support simultaneous login with multiple accounts on the same network disk Support mainstream network disks such as Baidu network disk, google drive, OneDrive, dropbox, etc. -Remote service access: SMB, FTP, WebDAV -Built-in PDF editor Support PDF file browsing PDF file editing: supports highlight, underline, strikethrough, pen and other functions -Built-in novel reader Support TXT, EPUB format, continuous optimization -Built-in code editor Supports browsing and editing of 47 code formats such as json, js, log, java, php, swift, xml, net, etc. Support code theme switching, font size adjustment, encoding format adjustment -Other functions Automatic backup function: support incremental backup of system albums and ES local files to Baidu network disk, SMB, FTP, WebDAV Recycle bin function: support ES local files to be temporarily stored in the ES recycle bin after deletion to prevent file loss Browser: Support web browsing Application lock: protect user privacy and safety ES PRO - When you purchase ES PRO, you will Unlock all premium features. - ES PRO is billed monthly or annually at the rate corresponding to the selected plan. - Payment will be charged to your iTunes account at confirmation of purchase. - According to the Apple Store policy, your subscription will be automatically renewed after the free trial ends. - Subscriptions will automatically renew unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24 hours before the end of current period. - Your account will be charged according to your plan for renewal within 24 hours prior to the end of the current period. You can manage or turn off auto-renew in your Apple ID account settings at any time after purchase. Terms of Service: http://esfile.do-global.com/h5/user_manual.html Privacy Policy: http://www.estrongs.com/privacyStatement/en/index.htm Email: esfileexplorerfeedback@outlook.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OfficialESFileExplorer/ YouTube: https://goo.gl/YVXXV3

Screenshots

USB Disk4 screens
ES File Explorer4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: ES File Explorer at Free against USB Disk's $0.99. ES File Explorer also leads on ads (none vs shown) and ratings volume (15K vs 160). On rating, review sentiment, 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

ES File Explorer is free to download; USB Disk costs $0.99 up front. USB Disk sells 10 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month and ES File Explorer sells 7 in-app purchases, starting at $6.99 per month. 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 — 4.6 for USB Disk against 4.6 for ES File Explorer. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: ES File Explorer has 15K ratings behind it against 160, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 71% of USB Disk's written reviews are positive against 64% of ES File Explorer's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

USB Disk ships an update every 3 months, ES File Explorer every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 23, 2026 and September 24, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
USB Disk versus ES File Explorer: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterUSB DiskES File Explorer
Price$0.99Free — better
Rating4.6 (160 ratings)4.6 (15K ratings)
Positive reviews70.8% of reviews — better63.7% of reviews
Number of ratings16015K — better
Update frequencyEvery 3 monthsEvery 3 weeks — better
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple WatchiPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple Watch
Requires iOS12.0 — better13.0
Further details — not scored
Size170 MB263 MB
Age rating4+17+
DeveloperImesart S.a.r.l.Beijing Xiaoxiong Bowang Technology Co., Ltd.

Customer experience

USB Disk

All ratings160 ratings
Positive91.3%
Neutral3.1%
Negative5.6%
Written reviews1,056 reviews
Positive70.8%
Neutral13.9%
Negative15.2%

ES File Explorer

All ratings15,195 ratings
Positive89.9%
Neutral3.0%
Negative7.1%
Written reviews1,148 reviews
Positive63.7%
Neutral8.9%
Negative27.4%

User reviews

USB Disk

From 160 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 Easy to use
  • 🚀 Efficient file management
  • 💡 Useful for storing and accessing documents
  • 👍 Convenient for transferring files between devices

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Crashes and stability issues
  • 💰 Expensive paid features
  • 🔒 Concerns about security and privacy
  • 🤔 Misleading app description

ES File Explorer

From 15K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Powerful file management
  • 📁 Extensive file format support
  • 🔒 Secure folder access
  • 🎵 Excellent built-in media player
  • 🔗 Seamless network connectivity

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Occasional crashes and bugs
  • 💰 Expensive subscription model
  • 🔍 Search functionality issues
  • 🔇 Music playback problems
  • 🔌 Connectivity issues with FTP/SFTP

Bugs and requests

USB Disk

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Inability to open certain file types
  • Compatibility issues with newer iOS versions
  • Syncing problems between devices

Requested features

4 requests
  • Support for more file types
  • Improved integration with cloud storage services
  • Ability to edit and annotate files
  • Better organization and folder management

ES File Explorer

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • Deleted all user files after update
  • Unable to connect to SMB servers
  • Video playback issues with certain file types
  • Inconsistent behavior when using VPN

Requested features

5 requests
  • Dark mode option
  • Improved file compression tools
  • More customization options
  • Better integration with Apple ecosystem
  • Enhanced audio/video playback controls

In-app purchases

10 purchases

USB Disk

Subscriptions1
  • USB Disk Pro Monthly7 Days trial$4.991 Month
One-time9
  • Audio Player +$0.99
  • Zip files support$0.99
  • Dropbox access$0.99
Show 6 more
  • Lock code$0.99
  • Text editor$0.99
  • Evernote access$0.99
  • Google Drive access$0.99
  • OneDrive access$0.99
  • WebDAV access$1.99
7 purchases

ES File Explorer

Subscriptions4
  • ES Pro(1 month)7 Days trial$6.991 Month
  • ES Pro(1 month)$6.991 Month
  • ES Pro(1 year)7 Days trial$29.991 Year
Show 1 more
  • ES Pro(1 year)$29.991 Year
One-time3
  • ES remove ads$1.99
  • ES lifetime vip$4.99
  • ES lifetime vip$6.99

Questions

Is USB Disk free?
USB Disk costs $0.99, and also offers in-app purchases.
Is ES File Explorer free?
ES File Explorer is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, USB Disk or ES File Explorer?
USB Disk and ES File Explorer are both rated 4.6 out of 5 on the App Store, from 160 and 15K ratings respectively.
Do USB Disk or ES File Explorer have ads?
USB Disk shows ads; ES File Explorer does not.
Which is updated more often, USB Disk or ES File Explorer?
USB Disk ships an update every 3 months, and ES File Explorer every 3 weeks. Most recently, USB Disk was updated on September 23, 2026 and ES File Explorer on September 24, 2026.

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