# Files vs PDF Reader

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: PDF Reader at none against Files's 3. Files's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and update cadence (every 3 months vs every 113 months). On price and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Files sells 3 one-off in-app purchases. PDF Reader asks for nothing beyond the download.

Files ships an update every 3 months, PDF Reader every 113 months. The most recent releases landed on October 7, 2026 and October 4, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Files | PDF Reader |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.4 (242 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/files/id669786908/reviews)** | — |
| Number of ratings | **242** | — |
| Positive reviews | 88.2% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | **Every 3 months** | Every 113 months |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | — |
| Size | 37 MB | 9 MB |
| Requires iOS | **5.0** | 14.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Savy Soda Pty Ltd](https://appshunter.io/developer/295726257) | [Aishvarya Sadasivam](https://appshunter.io/developer/1062048241) |

## What reviewers say

### Files

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/files/id669786908)

Manage all your documents, spreadsheets, and media on your iPhone and iPad. This app facilitates downloading, storing, editing, and transferring files across devices and cloud services. It offers seamless integration with other iOS apps for enhanced productivity.

**Highlights:** Download, store, edit, create, and transfer files, Cloud synchronization with iCloud, Support for Dropbox, Google Drive, FTP, and Wi-Fi transfer, Integrated website downloader for videos and music, Seamless integration with other iOS apps, Organize media into folders, Create documents for email and web attachments

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Large Spreadsheets | $1.99 | one-time |
| Enhanced Security | $1.99 | one-time |
| Remove Ads | $3.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Easy and intuitive user interface
- 🚀 Fast and efficient file management
- 💾 Reliable file storage and organization
- 🔗 Seamless cloud service integration (Google Drive, Dropbox, Box)
- 📤 Simple file sharing capabilities

**What reviewers complain about**

- ⚠️ Outdated iOS compatibility issues
- 🐛 Random document deletion glitch
- ❌ Non-functional Google Drive sync
- 🔴 App crashes on some occasions
- 📵 Files not displaying properly

**Reported bugs**

- App crashes when launched on certain iOS versions
- Random deletion of documents without user action
- Google Drive sync fails with 'Access denied' error
- Files not displaying or downloading
- Blank screen when downloading Google Docs

**Requested features**

- iOS 11 and above compatibility update
- iPad 1 iOS 5.1.1 support
- Document signing capability
- Audio and video downloader functionality
- Music playback while using other apps


### PDF Reader

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pdf-reader-view/id1084658552)

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Files free?

Files is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is PDF Reader free?

PDF Reader is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Do Files or PDF Reader have ads?

PDF Reader shows ads; Files does not.

### Which is updated more often, Files or PDF Reader?

Files ships an update every 3 months, and PDF Reader every 113 months. Most recently, Files was updated on October 7, 2026 and PDF Reader on October 4, 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.*