# DS file vs DSLoad Station

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.

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.

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.

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

## The numbers

| Metric | DS file | DSLoad Station |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [2.8 (357 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ds-file/id416751772/reviews) | **[4.5 (559 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/dsload-station/id1510628586/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 357 | **559** |
| Positive reviews | 31.2% of reviews | **60.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 4 months | **Every 2 weeks** |
| Monetization | **Free** | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 121 MB | 88 MB |
| Requires iOS | 17.6 | **15.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Synology Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/321493109) | [Thomas Le gravier](https://appshunter.io/developer/1510628585) |

## What reviewers say

### DS file

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ds-file/id416751772)

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:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

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

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 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

**Reported bugs**

- 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**

- 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

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/dsload-station/id1510628586)

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:** macOS Compatibility, Family Sharing, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (9)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Full access - Monthly | $2.99 | per month |
| Full access - Yearly | $3.49 | per year |
| Full access - Yearly | $4.49 | per year |
| Full access - Yearly | $5.99 | per year |
| Full access - Yearly | $6.99 | per year |
| Full access - Yearly | $7.99 | per year |
| Full access - Yearly | $9.99 | per year |
| Full access - Lifetime | $17.99 | one-time |
| Full access - Lifetime | $24.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

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

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 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

**Reported bugs**

- Crashes and freezes on iPad
- Unreliable connection to NAS
- Inconsistent performance and functionality

**Requested features**

- 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


## Frequently asked 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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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*