Retro File Manager vs Direct Cloud Phone
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side β with what reviewers say about each.
Retro File Manager
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Remember Norton Commander? The dual-panel file manager is back β now on your iPhone and iPad. Try the full app free for 7 days. DUAL-PANEL NAVIGATION Two panels side by side, just like the classics. Browse your device and your cloud drives at the same time. The efficiency that power users have loved since the DOS era. DOCUMENT FORMATS Open PDF, EPUB, FB2, DjVu, Microsoft Office, images, and more. Dark mode for comfortable reading. Your reading position is saved automatically β pick up right where you left off. CLOUD INTEGRATION Connect Google Drive and Yandex Disk. Browse cloud files in the same familiar dual-panel interface. FILE OPERATIONS Copy files between panels with F5, move with F6 β just like the original. Select several files with a long-press and drag, then copy, move, or delete them as a batch. Share multiple files at once with F10. Create folders with F7. KEYBOARD SHORTCUTS Connect an external keyboard and use classic shortcuts. F1 for help, F3 to view, F5 to copy, F6 to move, F7 to create folder, F8 to delete, F10 to share. On iPad, use number keys 1β0. PRIVACY FIRST No tracking. No ads. Your files stay private. TRY EVERYTHING FOR 7 DAYS Every feature is unlocked from the moment you install β try it on your own files: β’ Dual-panel browsing of your photos and the folders you add from the Files app β’ Google Drive and Yandex Disk β’ Copy, move, share and batch operations (F5 / F6 / F10) β’ PDF, EPUB, FB2, DjVu and Office document viewer Start your free week today. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/
Direct Cloud Phone
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Direct Cloud Phone β Managing a Dedicated Cloud Mobile Environment from iPhone Direct Cloud Phone is a platform for remote access to dedicated cloud-based mobile devices. Your iPhone screen displays the full home screen of a remote smartphone, with support for gestures, settings, and app installation. It's a separate, isolated "second device" for development, app testing, corporate tasks, and profile separation β without mixing with your personal phone. PLATFORM PURPOSE A dedicated cloud mobile environment for developing, testing, and debugging apps under controlled conditions. An isolated "second device" alongside your iPhone β for separating work and test profiles without needing a second physical device. Corporate remote access to pre-configured mobile infrastructure for employees and contractors. Protects your primary device from the effects of third-party and test app builds. WHAT YOU CAN DO Remotely control a full-featured cloud smartphone from your iPhone screen. Install and test apps, use messengers and browsers in an isolated environment. Restart the device, change configuration, extend your subscription. Manage multiple slots and devices from a single app. PLATFORM CAPABILITIES Choice β multiple hosting regions for cloud infrastructure, at the user's discretion. Up-to-date β regularly updated catalog of configurations, plans, and reviews. Transparency β clear distinction between what Direct Cloud Phone provides and what services third parties provide. HOW IT WORKS Create a cloud device, choose the infrastructure hosting region and configuration. Purchase access via In-App Purchase. Tap "Connect" β screen streaming from the cloud device begins with responsive touch input. Work as if on a separate device: shortcuts, app installation, familiar settings. Renew access on time β without renewal, the environment and its data are deleted with no way to recover them. MULTIPLE DEVICES Several independent cloud mobile environments under one account: a test build separate from production, a work profile separate from personal, a client environment separate from your own. Terms, slots, and pricing are visible before payment, and switching between devices takes one tap. SECURITY Account login is protected by modern authentication mechanisms; the app includes a PIN code and alerts for suspicious activity. Use unique passwords for third-party services and comply with their terms of use. ABOUT THE SERVICE Direct Cloud Phone is a cloud mobile environment with remote access. Stream quality depends on your internet connection speed; some third-party apps may restrict functionality in cloud environments according to their own rules. The Direct Cloud Phone platform is intended solely for providing a dedicated cloud mobile environment for the purposes of app development, testing, corporate remote access, and work profile separation. The platform is not intended to provide access to information resources and telecommunications networks whose access is restricted within the territory of the Russian Federation. The user agrees to use the platform in accordance with applicable laws of the Russian Federation. TERM AND DATA The paid period is specified at the time of purchase. Without timely renewal, the cloud environment and all data on it are deleted with no possibility of recovery β plan your renewal in advance. FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS Do I need a second physical phone? β No, an iPhone and a stable internet connection are enough. Is this a VPN app? β No. Direct Cloud Phone provides access to a dedicated cloud mobile environment and is not a means of establishing a secure tunnel between devices. Can I install my own apps? β Yes, within the account's rules and the terms of use of the relevant services. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is update cadence: Retro File Manager at every 2 weeks against Direct Cloud Phone's every 5 weeks. Direct Cloud Phone's advantage is iOS requirement (15.0 vs 18.5). On price, ads, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.
Scored on Price Β· Rating Β· Positive reviews Β· Number of ratings Β· Update frequency Β· Ads Β· In-app purchases Β· Monetization Β· Best chart rank Β· Devices Β· Requires iOS
Both are free to download. Retro File Manager sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month and Direct Cloud Phone sells 10 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
Retro File Manager ships an update every 2 weeks, Direct Cloud Phone every 5 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 9, 2026 and November 6, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Retro File Manager | Direct Cloud Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Update frequency | Every 2 weeks β better | Every 5 weeks |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 18.5 | 15.0 β better |
| Further details β not scored | ||
| Size | 27 MB | 68 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Dmitrii Chuprov | THETOCHKA DEVELOPMENTS MMC |
In-app purchases
Retro File Manager
- Pro7 Days trial$4.991 Month
- Pro7 Days trial$34.991 Year
Direct Cloud Phone
- Device Seat R2$1.99
- Guest Seat R2$1.99
- Phone Slot R2$1.99
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- Wallet 500 RUB R2$5.99
- Wallet 3000 RUB R2$34.99
- Cloud Phone Lite 1 mo R2$34.99
- Cloud Phone Ultra 1 month R2$119.99
- Cloud Phone Ultra 3 month R2$399.99
- Cloud Phone Ultra 6 month R2$699.99
- Cloud Phone Ultra 12 month R2$999.99
Questions
Is Retro File Manager free?
Is Direct Cloud Phone free?
Do Retro File Manager or Direct Cloud Phone have ads?
Which is updated more often, Retro File Manager or Direct Cloud Phone?
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