# FE File Explorer vs Disk Decipher

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: FE File Explorer at none against Disk Decipher's 8. FE File Explorer also leads on ratings volume (5.8K vs 95) and iOS requirement (15.0 vs 17.0). Disk Decipher's advantage is update cadence (weekly vs every 5 weeks) and price ($0.99 vs $4.99). On rating, review sentiment, ads and chart position there is nothing between them.

FE File Explorer costs $4.99 and Disk Decipher $0.99 up front. Disk Decipher sells 8 one-off in-app purchases. FE File Explorer asks for nothing beyond the download.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.7 for FE File Explorer against 4.6 for Disk Decipher. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: FE File Explorer has 5.8K ratings behind it against 95, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 68% of FE File Explorer's written reviews are positive against 72% of Disk Decipher's.

FE File Explorer ships an update every 5 weeks, Disk Decipher weekly. The most recent releases landed on November 12, 2026 and November 10, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | FE File Explorer | Disk Decipher |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $4.99 | **$0.99** |
| Rating | **[4.7 (5.8K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/fe-file-explorer-smb-and-ftp/id499470113/reviews)** | [4.6 (95 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/disk-decipher/id516538625/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **5.8K** | 95 |
| Positive reviews | 67.7% of reviews | **72.4% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 5 weeks | **Weekly** |
| Monetization | Paid | **Free with in-app purchases** |
| Best chart rank | **#27** | #44 |
| Size | 106 MB | 16 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.0** | 17.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | **iPhone, iPad, Mac, Vision Pro** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Skyjos Co., Ltd.](https://appshunter.io/developer/499470116) | [Richard Huveneers](https://appshunter.io/developer/516538628) |

## What reviewers say

### FE File Explorer

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/fe-file-explorer-smb-and-ftp/id499470113)

**Currently charting:** #27 Top Paid · Utilities (US App Store)

Access and manage files across your computer, NAS, and cloud storage directly from your iPhone or iPad. Stream media, transfer files, and view documents without downloading them locally. Offers versatile connectivity and seamless integration with iOS.

**Highlights:** Access network shares (SMB/CIFS), Connect to FTP, SFTP, and WebDAV servers, Integrate with cloud storage (Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive, Box), Stream media from network and cloud, Transfer files between devices and storage locations, Integrated with iOS Files app, Built-in FTP and HTTP servers

**Features:** Vision Pro support, iPhone Duo support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

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

**What reviewers complain about**

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

**Reported bugs**

- 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**

- Ability to password-protect individual folders
- Improved navigation for large file/folder lists
- Sync functionality between devices
- Chromecast support
- Integrated PDF annotation tools


### Disk Decipher

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/disk-decipher/id516538625)

**Currently charting:** #44 Top Paid · Utilities (US App Store)

Access and manage encrypted virtual disk images directly on your iPhone and iPad. Supports a wide range of encryption formats and file systems, offering secure viewing and playback of your data anywhere.

**Highlights:** Access encrypted virtual disks, Supports VeraCrypt, TrueCrypt, LUKS, DMG, Native file system handling, Secure authentication options, File Provider integration, Media playback

**In-app purchases (8)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Small Donation | $0.99 | one-time |
| Medium Donation | $1.99 | one-time |
| exFAT filesystem support | $2.99 | one-time |
| APFS write license | $2.99 | one-time |
| NTFS write license | $2.99 | one-time |
| HFS write license | $2.99 | one-time |
| Large Donation | $3.99 | one-time |
| All filesystem licenses | $7.49 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Works great with VeraCrypt/TrueCrypt
- 🔒 Secure access to encrypted data
- 👍 Convenient mobile access to encrypted files
- 🚀 Allows access to encrypted data across devices
- 👍 Well-designed app with good features

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Occasional crashes or issues with certain file types
- 💰 Hidden costs for some file system support
- 🔒 Lacks support for keyfiles with VeraCrypt
- 👤 Poor customer support or communication from developer

**Reported bugs**

- Issues with mounting/opening encrypted containers
- Problems with file deletion or management within containers
- Incompatibility with certain VeraCrypt/TrueCrypt features

**Requested features**

- Add support for editing/modifying files within encrypted containers
- Improve Dropbox/cloud integration and usability
- Expand support for additional file systems (e.g. APFS, ext4)
- Implement dark mode or other UI improvements


## Frequently asked questions

### Is FE File Explorer free?

FE File Explorer costs $4.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Disk Decipher free?

Disk Decipher costs $0.99, and also offers in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, FE File Explorer or Disk Decipher?

FE File Explorer is rated higher. FE File Explorer averages 4.7 out of 5 from 5.8K ratings, while Disk Decipher averages 4.6 from 95 ratings.

### Do FE File Explorer or Disk Decipher have ads?

Neither FE File Explorer nor Disk Decipher shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, FE File Explorer or Disk Decipher?

FE File Explorer ships an update every 5 weeks, and Disk Decipher weekly. Most recently, FE File Explorer was updated on November 12, 2026 and Disk Decipher on November 10, 2026.

### Which is more popular, FE File Explorer or Disk Decipher?

FE File Explorer currently peaks at #27 in the App Store charts, and Disk Decipher at #44. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

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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.*