Comparison

FE File Explorer vs Pi

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

Head to head
About

FE File Explorer

Manage files across your devices and cloud storage. Access and transfer documents, photos, and media from computers, NAS, and cloud services directly on your iPhone or iPad without downloading.

Highlights
  • Access network shares (SMB/CIFS)
  • Connect to WebDAV, FTP, SFTP servers
  • Integrate with Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive, Box
  • Stream media from network/cloud
  • Transfer files between devices
  • Direct file management on remote storage
Features
Read full description

FE File Explorer is a file manager app on your iPhone and iPad. It can access not only local files, but also files on your computer, NAS and cloud storages. Transfer files among those locations. Stream movies and music to your iPhone/iPad. Directly view and manage documents, photos, files on your computer and cloud without downloading to your iPhone/iPad. FEATURES: * Access network shares on macOS, Windows, Linux, Time Capsule, NAS via SMB/CIFS protocol. * Access WebDAV Server, FTP Server and SFTP Server * Access cloud storages: Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive, Box. * Automatically discover comptuers, NAS and servers when you setup new connections. * View, copy, move, rename and delete your files right on iPhone/iPad. * Stream movies and musics from network shares and cloud storages to iPhone/iPad. * AirPlay photos, musics and movies on Apple TV. * Sort and search files * Archive and unarchive files * Dark Mode * Multiple windows on iPad * Integrated with iOS Files app * Distribute configurations via MDM (Mobile Device Management). * Built-in FTP Server and HTTP Server * File Transfer: Copy files among servers, cloud storages, iPhone and iPad. Transfer files by drag and drop. Nearby file transfer: Directly transfer files between two nearby iOS devices. ===== CONTACT US ===== Email: support@skyjos.com Twitter: @SkyjosApps Facebook: @SkyjosApp

About

Pi

Control your Pi-hole network ad blocker remotely. Quickly disable blocking, block specific services, and view real-time network statistics. Manage adlists, update gravity, and configure DNS/DHCP settings with ease.

Highlights
  • Disable/enable Pi-hole blocking
  • Block specific services
  • View real-time query logs
  • Add domains to whitelist/blacklist
  • Update gravity
  • Manage adlists
  • Configure DNS & DHCP settings
Features
Read full description

Take full control of your Pi-hole from your iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, and Apple TV. Monitor your network, inspect DNS queries, manage blocking and lists, and control multiple Pi-hole instances from anywhere in the Apple ecosystem. *Disable Blocking* Quickly disable blocking from the app, interactive Home Screen widgets, your Apple Watch, or Siri. You'll see a Live Activity for the duration to remind you blocking is disabled! *Statistics & Queries* Look up what domains are queried most on your network, as well as clients that send out the most requests. View your Query Log as well as a 'Live Log' which shows queries on your network in real time. *Blocked Services* Want to quickly restrict access to Facebook, TikTok, Snapchat, Roblox, and more? Block all kinds of services effortlessly with just one tap. *Manage Your Pi-hole* Manage Clients & Groups, Domains & Adlists, and change all kinds of Pi-hole settings such as DNS/DHCP settings. *Interactive Widgets & Live Activity* Choose from a wide range of Home Screen and Lock Screen widgets that show your Pi-hole status or statistics. There are also interactive widgets to disable blocking without opening the app! When you disable blocking, you will even see a Live Activity on your Lock Screen, Dynamic Island, and Smart Stack. *Controls* Quickly toggle blocking right from your Lock Screen, Control Center, or Action Button. *Made for the Apple Ecosystem* Use Pi-hole Remote across iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, and Apple TV. Your instances and preferences stay available across your devices through iCloud. Purchase Pi-hole Remote+ once and unlock it on every supported platform. == iPhone, iPad, and Mac features: - Enable or temporarily disable Pi-hole blocking - View detailed statistics and combined data from multiple instances - Search and filter your Query Log or watch queries appear in real time - Add domains to your allowlist or denylist, individually or in bulk - Block entire services such as social networks, streaming platforms, and games - Manage clients, groups, domains, adlists, DNS, and DHCP settings - Update Gravity and manage your Pi-hole configuration - Add and control an unlimited number of Pi-hole instances - Choose where each instance appears based on your Wi-Fi network - Connect securely using HTTPS, reverse proxies, custom paths, and custom headers - Use interactive widgets, Live Activities, and Lock Screen or Control Center controls - Control Pi-hole with Siri, App Shortcuts, Spotlight, and the Action Button - Sync settings and selected Pi-hole data between instances - Personalize the app with custom colors and alternative icons - Enjoy dedicated layouts for iPhone, iPad, and Mac - Full VoiceOver and Dark Mode support Apple Watch features: - View status and statistics, control one or all instances, access Blocked Services, and use complications and Live Activities Apple TV features: - View statistics and queries, control blocking and services, and switch between or combine instances on the big screen == Note: You need at least one working Pi-hole instance running on another device for this app to function and you must use Pi-hole Version 6.0 or up. Pi-hole Remote is a third-party app which uses the Pi-hole API and is in no way affiliated with Pi-hole. Find out more about Pi-hole at https://pi-hole.net/. This app offers a "Pi-hole Remote+" version with additional features, in the form of a lifetime purchase, a monthly subscription, or a yearly subscription. Subscriptions will automatically renew unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24 hours before the end of the current period and will be charged to your App Store account. You can turn off auto-renew or manage subscriptions in your App Store account settings after purchase. Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

FE File Explorer4 screens
Pi4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Pi at Free against FE File Explorer's $4.99. Pi also leads on review sentiment (88% vs 67%) and update cadence (every 2 weeks vs every 5 weeks). FE File Explorer's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 7) and chart position (#23 vs unranked). On rating and ads 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

Pi is free to download; FE File Explorer costs $4.99 up front. Pi sells 7 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per month. FE File Explorer asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.7 for FE File Explorer against 4.8 for Pi. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 5.8K and 1.2K respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 67% of FE File Explorer's written reviews are positive against 88% of Pi's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

FE File Explorer ships an update every 5 weeks, Pi every 2 weeks. Both last shipped on October 19, 2026.

Scorecard9 real differences · 2 level
FE File Explorer versus Pi: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterFE File ExplorerPi
Price$4.99Free — better
Rating4.7 (5.8K ratings)4.8 (1.2K ratings) — better
Positive reviews67.3% of reviews88.4% of reviews — better
Number of ratings5.8K — better1.2K
Update frequencyEvery 5 weeksEvery 2 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationPaidFree with in-app purchases — better
Best chart rank#23 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple TV, Apple Watch — better
Requires iOS15.0 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size103 MB85 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperSkyjos Co., Ltd.RocketScience IT

Customer experience

FE File Explorer

All ratings5,779 ratings
Positive94.1%
Neutral2.6%
Negative3.4%
Written reviews513 reviews
Positive67.3%
Neutral9.4%
Negative23.4%

Pi

All ratings1,248 ratings
Positive94.9%
Neutral1.4%
Negative3.8%
Written reviews404 reviews
Positive88.4%
Neutral4.5%
Negative7.2%

User reviews

FE File Explorer

From 5.8K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Excellent file management
  • 🔒 Secure access to files
  • 👍 Versatile connectivity options
  • 👍 Seamless integration with iOS Files app
  • 👍 Reliable performance

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Occasional crashes and stability issues
  • 🐛 Compatibility problems with newer iOS versions
  • 🔒 Privacy concerns with password protection
  • 🔋 High battery consumption during use

Pi

From 1.2K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Amazing app!!
  • 🚀 Excellent app
  • 🚀 Perfect for managing Pi-hole
  • 🚀 Brilliant
  • 🚀 Great app to keep an eye on things

Room to improve

  • 🔍 Disappointing
  • 🔍 Pulled a bait-and-switch with paid features
  • 🔍 Widget unreliable
  • 🔍 Replaced block percentage with clients
  • 🔍 Unusable if not upgraded to pihole v6

Bugs and requests

FE File Explorer

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • Video playback issues, including audio-video sync problems
  • Inability to transfer files from local storage to external drives
  • Unreliable SMB and FTP connectivity
  • Recent update breaking existing functionality

Requested features

6 requests
  • Ability to password-protect individual folders
  • Improved navigation for large file/folder lists
  • Sync functionality between devices
  • Chromecast support
  • Integrated PDF annotation tools
Show 1 more
  • Ability to edit photos and videos within the app

Pi

Reported bugs

7 issues
  • Crashes when pressing certain options
  • Unable to reach Pi Hole after configuration
  • Statistics screen crashes the app
  • Widgets not working
  • Live Logs not working properly
Show 2 more
  • Login screen freezes
  • Incompatible with older devices

Requested features

13 requests
  • Add and remove adlists from the internet
  • DHCP management, like assign static IPs, change host names of devices
  • Change other pihole settings, like upstream DNS servers
  • A command line interface
  • Group management, I.e. the ability to whitelist or blacklist certain domains only for certain groups of devices, and to be able to create new groups and edit which devices are in each group
Show 8 more
  • Option to style query bar graph as stacked bar graph colored by client
  • Notification to update pihole
  • Ability to update the OS and pihole from the app
  • Wildcard support for the whitelist
  • View DHCP Leases or add reservations
  • Query Log
  • Dark mode option
  • Advanced analytics dashboard

In-app purchases

None

FE File Explorer

No in-app purchases

7 purchases

Pi

Subscriptions2
  • Monthly PHR+$0.991 Month
  • PHR+ Yearly$4.991 Year
One-time5
  • Small Tip$0.99
  • Medium Tip$3.99
  • Large Tip$6.99
Show 2 more
  • PHR+ Lifetime$11.99
  • Huge Tip$17.99

Questions

Is FE File Explorer free?
FE File Explorer costs $4.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Pi free?
Pi is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, FE File Explorer or Pi?
Pi is rated higher. FE File Explorer averages 4.7 out of 5 from 5.8K ratings, while Pi averages 4.8 from 1.2K ratings.
Do FE File Explorer or Pi have ads?
Neither FE File Explorer nor Pi shows ads.
Which is updated more often, FE File Explorer or Pi?
FE File Explorer ships an update every 5 weeks, and Pi every 2 weeks. Most recently, FE File Explorer was updated on October 19, 2026 and Pi on October 19, 2026.

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