FE File Explorer vs Helmarr
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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.
- 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
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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
Helmarr
Manage all your self-hosted services from a single, native iOS interface. Seamlessly integrate and control applications like Sonarr, Radarr, and Unraid with advanced features and customization.
- Unified experience for multiple services
- Smart multi-network connectivity
- Deep customization options
- Home screen widgets
- Unraid control
- Push notifications
- SSH & SFTP access
- Download management
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Helmarr provides a unified, native iOS interface for your self-hosted services. Stop relying on responsive web UIs and manage your entire stack in an app where your services actually work hand-in-hand. Currently supported: Sonarr, Radarr, Lidarr, Bazarr, Unraid, SSH (+SFTP), Tautulli, Jellystat, Overseerr, Jellyseerr, Seerr, qBt, SABnzbd, NZBGet, Wizarr, Prowlarr, Transmission, Deluge. Key Features: - A Truly Unified Experience: Your stack shouldn't feel like separate silos. Helmarr brings Sonarr, Radarr, Lidarr, Seerr, and Tautulli together. Browse your library, approve requests, and view active streams in one seamless interface. - Smart Connectivity: Full multi-network support allows you to define primary and fallback hosts. Helmarr automatically switches between your LAN IP and WAN/DNS address depending on where you are. - Make It Your Own: Deep customization options let you tweak the app to your liking. Change accent colors, rearrange your tab bar, and set custom headers to match your personal aesthetic. - Home Screen Widgets: Keep an eye on your download queue, upcoming releases, or server stats at a glance without even opening the app. - Unraid Control: Real-time monitoring of Shares, Parity status, Disks, and Warnings. Start/Stop Docker containers and VMs instantly. - Push Notifications: Stay in the loop with configurable alerts for grabs, successful imports, and critical health checks. - Terminal & Vitals: Full SSH & SFTP access with live resource monitoring (CPU/RAM/Net). Manage processes and containers via command line. - Download Management: Remote control for SABnzbd and NZBGet. Pause, resume, reorder queues, and set speed limits on the fly. - Release Browser: Don't just rely on automation—search, filter, and manually grab specific releases with ease. - Onboarding: Generate and manage user invites via Wizarr. Website: https://helmarr.com/ Terms of Service: https://helmarr.com/terms Privacy Policy: https://helmarr.com/privacy
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is price: Helmarr at Free against FE File Explorer's $4.99. Helmarr also leads on update cadence (weekly vs every 5 weeks) and rating (4.9 vs 4.7). FE File Explorer's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 19) and ratings volume (5.8K vs 172). On 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
Helmarr is free to download; FE File Explorer costs $4.99 up front. Helmarr sells 19 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per month. FE File Explorer asks for nothing beyond the download.
Helmarr holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 4.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: FE File Explorer has 5.8K ratings behind it against 172, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 67% of FE File Explorer's written reviews are positive against 76% of Helmarr's.
FE File Explorer ships an update every 5 weeks, Helmarr weekly. Both last shipped on October 12, 2026.
| Parameter | FE File Explorer | Helmarr |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $4.99 | Free — better |
| Rating | 4.7 (5.8K ratings) | 4.9 (172 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 67.3% of reviews | 75.9% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 5.8K — better | 172 |
| Update frequency | Every 5 weeks | Weekly — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Paid | Free with in-app purchases — better |
| Best chart rank | #100 — better | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 — better | 26.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 103 MB | 170 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Skyjos Co., Ltd. | Florian Ernst |
Customer experience
FE File Explorer
Helmarr
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 moreShow fewer
- Ability to edit photos and videos within the app
Helmarr
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
FE File Explorer
No in-app purchases
Helmarr
- Helmarr Pro Monthly$3.991 Month
- Ultra Monthly$4.991 Month
- Helmarr Pro Yearly Subscription$17.991 Year
- Bazarr$3.99
- Deluge$4.99
- Plex$4.99
Show 13 moreShow fewer
- Transmission$4.99
- NZBGet$4.99
- Lidarr$4.99
- Unraid$4.99
- SABnzbd$4.99
- Tautulli$4.99
- Sonarr$4.99
- Radarr$4.99
- Seerr$4.99
- qBt$4.99
- Prowlarr$4.99
- Helmarr Pro - Lifetime$29.99
- Lifetime Pro$34.99








