FlashDrop vs SMB Server
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
FlashDrop
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FlashDrop is a simple, secure, and fast file-sharing app. Just enter the same Room ID to instantly share any file—photos, videos, documents, and more. 【Key Features】 Simple sharing via Room ID - Just enter a Room ID of 1 to 16 characters - Share files with anyone who enters the same ID - Automatically saves previously used Room IDs P2P (Peer-to-Peer) Connection - Direct data transfer between devices - High speed since it bypasses servers - Emphasizes privacy and security Supports Diverse File Formats - Photos/Videos: Automatically saved to your camera roll - Documents: Saved to your download folder - Text messages: Securely send sensitive info like passwords Real-time transfer status display - Check transfer progress in real time - Shows file size and transfer speed - Includes cancel function Batch send multiple files - Select up to 20 files simultaneously - Supports drag-and-drop - Instantly share photos taken with your camera 【Useful Scenarios】 • Sharing photos and videos with friends and family • Quickly distributing meeting materials • Transferring files between devices • Sharing large files • Securely sending passwords and authentication codes 【Reliable Privacy Protection】 - Files are never stored on servers - Direct peer-to-peer transfers between devices - Room IDs persist after use for easy future access - All communications are encrypted for secure transfer 【Supported File Formats】 Images: JPEG, PNG, GIF, HEIC, etc. Videos: MP4, MOV, AVI, etc. Documents: PDF, DOCX, XLSX, PPTX, etc. Others: ZIP, TXT, CSV, etc. - All file formats supported 【How to Use】 1. Launch the app and enter the Room ID 2. Have the recipient enter the same Room ID 3. Select files and tap the Send button 4. Transfer starts automatically once the recipient approves 【Recommended Environment】 - Recommended for use on Wi-Fi (for large files) - Compatible with iOS 14.0 or later - Available on both iPad and iPhone Terms of Service: https://flash-drop.web.app/terms_en.html Privacy Policy: https://flash-drop.web.app/privacy_en.html
SMB Server
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SMB Server turns your iPhone into an SMB (file sharing) server. From a Mac or Windows PC on the same Wi-Fi network, you can open your iPhone's Documents folder directly and copy, move, or delete files. No cables and no cloud required. [Great for] • Getting photos, documents, and music from your computer onto your iPhone without a cable • Quickly pulling files off your iPhone onto your computer • Moving files around at home without the cloud or an account • Handling files the familiar way, from Finder on Mac or File Explorer on Windows [Key Features] • File server supporting SMB2 (connect from Mac, Windows, Linux, and other SMB clients) • Start or stop the server with one tap • Bonjour support: appears automatically in the Network list in Mac Finder • Shows the IP address, port, and connection address (smb://...) you need, right on screen • Guest access, or set a password to restrict who can connect • Read-only mode (blocks writing and deleting from the computer) • Automatically start the server when the app launches • Keeps the screen from auto-locking while the server is running, so connections don't drop • View a log of connections, disconnections, and file operations • Shows the free space available in the shared folder • Open the same Documents folder from the Files app, too • Built-in guide for connecting, plus troubleshooting tips [How to Use] 1. Open the app, tap "Agree and Start", then tap "Start" (If asked to allow access to the local network, choose "Allow") 2. Enter the address shown on screen on your computer (YOUR_IP = the IP address shown in the app) • Mac: In Finder, choose Go, then Connect to Server, and enter smb://YOUR_IP:4455/Documents • Windows: Enter \\YOUR_IP@4455\Documents in the File Explorer address bar • Other SMB clients, such as Linux, can connect too 3. Sign in as a guest, or with the password you set Only this app's Documents folder is shared. The share name is fixed as "Documents". [Can't Connect?] • Make sure your iPhone and computer are on the same Wi-Fi network • Keep the app's screen open on your iPhone • Include the share name (/Documents) and the port number (4455) in the address • Mac Finder keeps a window in its failed state after a sign-in failure. Close the Finder window, then choose "Connect to Server" again. If it still won't connect, delete the old password in Keychain Access [Privacy] • Never connects to the internet. Works only within your local network (Wi-Fi) • Does not collect or transmit personal information, usage data, or file contents • Uses no third-party SDKs of any kind, including ads, analytics, or crash reporting • No account registration or sign-in required • Your Documents folder is shared only while the server is running. When stopped, it cannot be accessed from outside [Notes] • The server runs only while the app's screen is open. Closing the app disconnects all connections • The SMB port number is 4455 (the standard port 445 is not available due to iOS restrictions). You need to specify the port when connecting • With guest access, anyone on the same network can connect. Use it on a trusted network, or set a password
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: SMB Server at none against FlashDrop's 2. SMB Server also leads on ads (none vs shown). FlashDrop's advantage is update cadence (every 10 days vs every 3 weeks) and iOS requirement (13.0 vs 15.6). On price 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
Both are free to download. FlashDrop sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month. SMB Server asks for nothing beyond the download.
FlashDrop ships an update every 10 days, SMB Server every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on May 19, 2026 and September 24, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | FlashDrop | SMB Server |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Update frequency | Every 10 days — better | Every 3 weeks |
| Ads | Yes | No — better |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 13.0 — better | 15.6 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 50 MB | 1 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | BUTTERFALCON | Maiji Saito |
In-app purchases
FlashDrop
- Monthly$1.991 Month
- Annual$17.991 Year
SMB Server
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is FlashDrop free?
Is SMB Server free?
Do FlashDrop or SMB Server have ads?
Which is updated more often, FlashDrop or SMB Server?
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