Comparison

DS file vs DSLoad Station

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

Head to head
About

DS file

Access, manage, and edit files stored on your Synology NAS from your mobile device. Upload, download, and securely browse documents, pictures, and videos on the go.

Highlights
  • File management on Synology NAS
  • Upload and download files
  • Basic file editing
  • Secure HTTPS access
  • Browse pictures and videos
  • Access work documents
Features
Read full description

**You must own a Synology NAS to run this app, and have upgraded to DSM 5.2 to get the complete set of features** DS file is ideal to manage files stored on your DiskStation, upload or download between the NAS and the iDevice itself, or do basic editing tasks. And always securely with HTTPS support. Besides file management, DS file is also a useful tool to do anything from browsing pictures, watching videos or checking work documents when you are on the go.

About

DSLoad Station

Manage your Synology Download Station securely and privately from your mobile device. Control downloads, browse files, monitor your NAS, and automate tasks with an intuitive interface and seamless iOS integration.

Highlights
  • Secure and private connection
  • Full download task control
  • Add tasks via URLs, files, or browser
  • Real-time background notifications
  • Built-in file browser
  • RSS feed manager
  • Manage multiple NAS servers
Features
Read full description

DSLoad Station is the ultimate mobile client for managing your Synology Download Station. Take full control of your downloads with a secure, private, and feature-rich interface for DSM 6.0 and DSM 7.0+. SECURE & PRIVATE CONNECTION • End-to-end encryption for your credentials • Your data never leaves your device and your NAS • No tracking, no ads, complete privacy guaranteed • Connect seamlessly on your local network or remotely via QuickConnect • Full support for SSL/TLS encryption & 2-Factor Authentication (2FA) POWERFUL DOWNLOAD MANAGEMENT • Full control over your tasks: start, pause, resume, delete, and clear • Add tasks from URLs, files, or directly from your browser with the Share Extension • Advanced filtering to sort and find your downloads easily • Get real-time updates with background notifications • Select specific files within a task before downloading ADVANCED NAS FEATURES • Built-in file browser to navigate your Synology Diskstation files • Monitor your NAS storage, VPN status, and system health • Integrated RSS feed manager to automate your downloads • Powerful search to find new content from your configured sources • Manage multiple Synology NAS servers from one app SEAMLESS iOS INTEGRATION • Home Screen Widgets: Keep an eye on your tasks, storage, and VPN status. • Live Activities: Track your active downloads on the Lock Screen and in the Dynamic Island. • Face ID & Touch ID: Secure your app and your saved connections. • Dark Mode: A beautiful interface that’s easy on the eyes. • Shortcuts & Intents: Automate your download workflow. EASY TO USE • Quick setup in minutes - no technical knowledge required • Intuitive and modern interface designed for iOS • Manage your favorite servers and accounts with ease • In-app browser for easy navigation and task creation Whether you're at home or on the go, DSLoad Station provides the most complete and secure way to manage your Synology Download Station. Made by the Synology community for Synology users. Need help? Have a suggestion or feature request? Email me at contact@dsload.app! --- Some features require a subscription (annual) or a lifetime purchase. A free trial is available. DSLoad Station is not affiliated with Synology Inc. Terms of use: https://dsload.app/resources/terms.html

Screenshots

DS file4 screens
DSLoad Station4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: DSLoad Station at 4.5 against DS file's 2.8. DSLoad Station also leads on review sentiment (60% vs 31%) and update cadence (every 2 weeks vs every 4 months). DS file's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 9). On price, ratings volume, ads and device support 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. DSLoad Station sells 9 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month. DS file asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

DSLoad Station holds the better App Store score, 4.5 against 2.8. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 357 and 559 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 31% of DS file's written reviews are positive against 60% of DSLoad Station's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

DS file ships an update every 4 months, DSLoad Station every 2 weeks. Both last shipped on September 24, 2026.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
DS file versus DSLoad Station: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterDS fileDSLoad Station
PriceFreeFree
Rating2.8 (357 ratings)4.5 (559 ratings) — better
Positive reviews31.2% of reviews60.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings357559 — better
Update frequencyEvery 4 monthsEvery 2 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS17.615.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size121 MB88 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperSynology Inc.Thomas Le gravier

Customer experience

DS file

All ratings357 ratings
Positive33.6%
Neutral17.6%
Negative48.7%
Written reviews330 reviews
Positive31.2%
Neutral20.3%
Negative48.5%

DSLoad Station

All ratings559 ratings
Positive87.8%
Neutral2.3%
Negative9.8%
Written reviews195 reviews
Positive60.0%
Neutral7.2%
Negative32.8%

User reviews

DS file

From 357 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 Simple and efficient file management
  • 🚀 Fast file access and transfer
  • 💡 Useful photo backup feature
  • 🔒 Secure remote access to NAS

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Crashes and freezes, especially after updates
  • 🔍 Inconsistent file format support (e.g. .MOV, .HEIC)
  • 🔍 Lack of advanced features like multi-select and sorting
  • 🔍 Slow performance, especially on older devices

DSLoad Station

From 559 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Great app and great support
  • 🚀 Reliable and stable
  • 👍 Excellent layout, features, and functionality
  • 👍 Convenient to use
  • 👍 Responsive developer

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Occasional login issues and authentication problems
  • 🐛 Search not working at times
  • 🔒 Concerns about security and data privacy
  • 💰 Paid app when previous app was free
  • 💰 Expensive subscription model

Bugs and requests

DS file

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • Login issues, unable to connect to NAS
  • Video playback not working, especially on iOS 12+
  • Excessive storage usage and cache issues
  • Inconsistent behavior after iOS updates

Requested features

5 requests
  • Integrate with iOS Files app
  • Add support for more file formats
  • Improve photo/video backup functionality
  • Implement dark mode
  • Allow multi-file selection and batch operations

DSLoad Station

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Crashes and freezes on iPad
  • Unreliable connection to NAS
  • Inconsistent performance and functionality

Requested features

4 requests
  • Custom user-agent for specific sources
  • Ability to save default download folder
  • Integration with browser to push downloads directly
  • Support for more advanced download management features

In-app purchases

None

DS file

No in-app purchases

9 purchases

DSLoad Station

Subscriptions7
  • Full access - Monthly$2.991 Month
  • Full access - Yearly7 Days trial$3.491 Year
  • Full access - Yearly7 Days trial$4.491 Year
Show 4 more
  • Full access - Yearly7 Days trial$5.991 Year
  • Full access - Yearly3 Days trial$6.991 Year
  • Full access - Yearly7 Days trial$7.991 Year
  • Full access - Yearly7 Days trial$9.991 Year
One-time2
  • Full access - Lifetime$17.99
  • Full access - Lifetime$24.99

Questions

Is DS file free?
DS file is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is DSLoad Station free?
DSLoad Station is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, DS file or DSLoad Station?
DSLoad Station is rated higher. DS file averages 2.8 out of 5 from 357 ratings, while DSLoad Station averages 4.5 from 559 ratings.
Do DS file or DSLoad Station have ads?
Neither DS file nor DSLoad Station shows ads.
Which is updated more often, DS file or DSLoad Station?
DS file ships an update every 4 months, and DSLoad Station every 2 weeks. Most recently, DS file was updated on September 24, 2026 and DSLoad Station on September 24, 2026.

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