Comparison

FileMaster vs ES File Explorer

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

Head to head
About

FileMaster

Manage, view, and play all your files securely on your iOS device. Transfer files from your computer, protect them with passwords, and access them remotely. Supports a wide range of media and document formats.

Highlights
  • File management (copy, cut, paste, delete)
  • Password protection for app and folders
  • Remote file access
  • Media playback (video/audio)
  • Document viewing (PDF, Word, Excel, etc.)
  • Cloud storage integration
  • File transfer
Features
Read full description

# The most powerful file manager of iOS. You deserve it!# FileMaster is a file manager, document viewer, video/audio player, text editor, and more for iPhone, iPad & iPod Touch. Transfer files from your computer, carry them around with you, and share them with your friends. Using FileMaster is easy. Just long-press on a file or folder icon to display a popup menu. Simply tap your selection and you’re ready to go. You can tap on the screen to copy, paste, create folders and so on. There’s no need to worry about the security of FileMaster, either. Your files can be accessed remotely with a password or locally with a master passcode. No one but you will see what’s in your FileMaster. # File Manager # - Create new folders?- Copy, cut, paste, delete operations - Long press to popup menus - Support multi-selection mode - Import photos/videos from the system album - Take private photo or video inside the app?- Check the free diskspace - Cloud stroge supports:Dropbox,SkyDrive,Box... # Powerful media player # - Support avi/flv/rmvm/rm/mov/mp4/mp3/wma/m3u8... - Show snapshot of videos # Music Player # - Play all mp3 files in one folder - Play control - Background play - 4 loop modes supported # Privacy Protection # - App password - Folder password - Hide files/folders # Document viewer # - Support word/excel/ppt/pdf/txt/page/number/html/jpeg/epub/chm- zip/unzip (.zip or .rar files) - Open files with other apps - Open files from other apps - Send file as email attachment Contact with me:esongtech@126.com

About

ES File Explorer

Manage local and network files with this comprehensive tool. It offers file transfer, compression, built-in media players, cloud storage integration, and editing capabilities for various document and code formats.

Highlights
  • File management and sorting
  • WiFi and face-to-face file transfer
  • ZIP, RAR, 7Z compression/decompression
  • Built-in audio/video player
  • Cloud storage aggregation
  • Remote service access (SMB, FTP, WebDAV)
  • PDF and code editor
Features
Read full description

ES File Explorer is a local and network file management tool that can help you manage files easily. 【The main function】 -File management You can create new directories, rename, move, delete files, etc. Support file sorting by name, date, size The iPad version supports features such as split screen, picture-in-picture, and drag-and-drop operations between apps - file transfer WiFi transmission function: support the transfer of files between the mobile terminal and the computer terminal Face-to-face fast transfer function: support for transferring files between mobile phones -Compress and decompress Support the compression and decompression of ZIP, RAR, 7Z format files Support Chinese password -Built-in audio and video player Support functions: double-speed playback (0.5~2.0), background playback, small window playback, etc. Can directly play audio and video resources in the network disk, local area, and local area network -Netdisk aggregation No need to download, you can access and use the files in the network disk Support simultaneous login with multiple accounts on the same network disk Support mainstream network disks such as Baidu network disk, google drive, OneDrive, dropbox, etc. -Remote service access: SMB, FTP, WebDAV -Built-in PDF editor Support PDF file browsing PDF file editing: supports highlight, underline, strikethrough, pen and other functions -Built-in novel reader Support TXT, EPUB format, continuous optimization -Built-in code editor Supports browsing and editing of 47 code formats such as json, js, log, java, php, swift, xml, net, etc. Support code theme switching, font size adjustment, encoding format adjustment -Other functions Automatic backup function: support incremental backup of system albums and ES local files to Baidu network disk, SMB, FTP, WebDAV Recycle bin function: support ES local files to be temporarily stored in the ES recycle bin after deletion to prevent file loss Browser: Support web browsing Application lock: protect user privacy and safety ES PRO - When you purchase ES PRO, you will Unlock all premium features. - ES PRO is billed monthly or annually at the rate corresponding to the selected plan. - Payment will be charged to your iTunes account at confirmation of purchase. - According to the Apple Store policy, your subscription will be automatically renewed after the free trial ends. - Subscriptions will automatically renew unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24 hours before the end of current period. - Your account will be charged according to your plan for renewal within 24 hours prior to the end of the current period. You can manage or turn off auto-renew in your Apple ID account settings at any time after purchase. Terms of Service: http://esfile.do-global.com/h5/user_manual.html Privacy Policy: http://www.estrongs.com/privacyStatement/en/index.htm Email: esfileexplorerfeedback@outlook.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OfficialESFileExplorer/ YouTube: https://goo.gl/YVXXV3

Screenshots

FileMaster4 screens
ES File Explorer4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ads: ES File Explorer at none against FileMaster's shown. ES File Explorer also leads on update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 3 months) and ratings volume (15K vs 4.9K). FileMaster's advantage is review sentiment (81% vs 64%) and iOS requirement (11.0 vs 13.0). On price, rating, in-app purchases and monetization model 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. FileMaster sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and ES File Explorer sells 7 in-app purchases, starting at $6.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

ES File Explorer holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 4.4. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 4.9K and 15K respectively. Written reviews complicate that: 81% of FileMaster's written reviews are positive against 64% of ES File Explorer's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

FileMaster ships an update every 3 months, ES File Explorer every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 29, 2026 and October 30, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
FileMaster versus ES File Explorer: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterFileMasterES File Explorer
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.4 (4.9K ratings)4.6 (15K ratings) — better
Positive reviews81.3% of reviews — better63.7% of reviews
Number of ratings4.9K15K — better
Update frequencyEvery 3 monthsEvery 3 weeks — better
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple Watch — better
Requires iOS11.0 — better13.0
Further details — not scored
Size40 MB263 MB
Age rating17+17+
DeveloperShenzhen Youmi Information Technology Co. LtdBeijing Xiaoxiong Bowang Technology Co., Ltd.

Customer experience

FileMaster

All ratings4,897 ratings
Positive85.7%
Neutral6.2%
Negative8.1%
Written reviews1,641 reviews
Positive81.3%
Neutral6.3%
Negative12.4%

ES File Explorer

All ratings15,195 ratings
Positive89.9%
Neutral3.0%
Negative7.1%
Written reviews1,156 reviews
Positive63.7%
Neutral8.8%
Negative27.5%

User reviews

FileMaster

From 4.9K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 User-friendly interface
  • 🚀 Efficient file management
  • 🔒 Secure file storage
  • 💡 Versatile file support
  • 🎨 Intuitive organization

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Compatibility issues with newer devices
  • 💸 Aggressive advertising
  • 🔍 Difficult navigation
  • 🔌 Unreliable download/transfer functionality

ES File Explorer

From 15K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Powerful file management
  • 📁 Extensive file format support
  • 🔒 Secure folder access
  • 🎵 Excellent built-in media player
  • 🔗 Seamless network connectivity

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Occasional crashes and bugs
  • 💰 Expensive subscription model
  • 🔍 Search functionality issues
  • 🔇 Music playback problems
  • 🔌 Connectivity issues with FTP/SFTP

Bugs and requests

FileMaster

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Locked out of account due to password issues
  • Inability to download certain file types
  • Inconsistent browser performance

Requested features

4 requests
  • Improved cloud storage integration
  • Enhanced music player functionality
  • Drag-and-drop file management
  • Dark mode option

ES File Explorer

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • Deleted all user files after update
  • Unable to connect to SMB servers
  • Video playback issues with certain file types
  • Inconsistent behavior when using VPN

Requested features

5 requests
  • Dark mode option
  • Improved file compression tools
  • More customization options
  • Better integration with Apple ecosystem
  • Enhanced audio/video playback controls

In-app purchases

1 purchases

FileMaster

One-time1
  • ADS free$2.99
7 purchases

ES File Explorer

Subscriptions4
  • ES Pro(1 month)7 Days trial$6.991 Month
  • ES Pro(1 month)$6.991 Month
  • ES Pro(1 year)7 Days trial$29.991 Year
Show 1 more
  • ES Pro(1 year)$29.991 Year
One-time3
  • ES remove ads$1.99
  • ES lifetime vip$4.99
  • ES lifetime vip$6.99

Questions

Is FileMaster free?
FileMaster is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is ES File Explorer free?
ES File Explorer is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, FileMaster or ES File Explorer?
ES File Explorer is rated higher. FileMaster averages 4.4 out of 5 from 4.9K ratings, while ES File Explorer averages 4.6 from 15K ratings.
Do FileMaster or ES File Explorer have ads?
FileMaster shows ads; ES File Explorer does not.
Which is updated more often, FileMaster or ES File Explorer?
FileMaster ships an update every 3 months, and ES File Explorer every 3 weeks. Most recently, FileMaster was updated on October 29, 2026 and ES File Explorer on October 30, 2026.

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