Comparison

Hosty vs Expose HTTP Server

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

Head to head
About

Hosty

Features
Read full description

⏺ Turn your iPhone or iPad into a server. No cables. No extra apps. Hosty launches an HTTP server directly from your device. Any computer, tablet or phone on your Wi-Fi network can connect from a browser and access your files instantly. What can you do with it? - Transfer photos, videos and documents to your Mac or PC without cables or third-party accounts - Share an entire folder with your team in seconds - Serve a static website directly from your device - Manage your iCloud Drive files from any browser Full web-based file manager Upload, download, create folders and text files, rename, compress and decompress — all from the web interface, with drag and drop support. No subscriptions. No external servers. Your files stay on your device.

About

Expose HTTP Server

Transform your iPhone or iPad into a local HTTP/API server for seamless file sharing, mock API testing, and static site hosting on your Wi-Fi network. Easily connect computers, test devices, and other platforms without installing additional software.

Highlights
  • Local HTTP/API server
  • Wi-Fi file sharing
  • WebDAV server
  • Mock API testing
  • Static site hosting
  • HTTPS/TLS support
  • Access control
Features
Read full description

Expose turns your iPhone or iPad into a local HTTP/API server for the same Wi-Fi network. Use it as a file server, WebDAV server, static site host, and mock API workbench: computers, test devices, browsers, scripts, TVs, and dev boards can open your local URL or scan a QR code without installing another app. Use Expose for: - Wi-Fi file sharing: send photos, videos, documents, and folders to Mac, Windows, Linux, TV boxes, NAS workflows, and nearby devices - Local WebDAV: browse folders from Finder, Files, rclone, Cyberduck, and compatible clients; enable uploads or WebDAV write only when you choose - Mock API testing: create JSON, HTML, redirects, status codes, headers, latency, and conditional responses; match query, path, header, or request body values, inspect captured payloads, and replay requests - Dynamic response templates: insert request values, UUIDs, timestamps, and random data, then verify output with a live preview and sample inputs - Static site preview: serve a folder as a local website with index.html and SPA fallback - Automation: use Shortcuts or Siri to start, stop, or copy the running server URL - Session upkeep: bulk-select routes, sources, and logs to clear them fast; broken-source warnings flag missing files or photos; guided Local Network permission and actionable recovery when a start fails Expose stays local-first. It does not require a cloud account, does not upload your files, photos, routes, or logs to our servers, and does not publish your device to the public internet. You choose what to share and control access with token, Basic/Bearer auth, Host/CORS/IP allowlists, and HTTPS. Because iOS limits background execution, Expose is designed for user-started foreground local sessions. Keep Screen Awake and short background grace improve hands-on testing, but Expose is not a 24/7 background hosting platform. Privacy Policy: https://expose.bonjour.dev/privacy Terms of Use (EULA): https://expose.bonjour.dev/terms

Screenshots

Hosty4 screens
Expose HTTP Server4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is iOS requirement: Expose HTTP Server at 15.0 against Hosty's 18.6. On price, ads, in-app purchases 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Hosty sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and Expose HTTP Server sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Scorecard1 real difference · 8 level
Hosty versus Expose HTTP Server: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterHostyExpose HTTP Server
PriceFreeFree
Rating—5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Number of ratings—1 — better
Update frequency—Fortnightly
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
Monetization—Free
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS18.615.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size9 MB26 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperIvan OrozcoBonjour, LLC

In-app purchases

1 purchases

Hosty

One-time1
  • Hosty Pro$5.99
3 purchases

Expose HTTP Server

Subscriptions2
  • Expose Premium Monthly$3.991 Month
  • Expose Premium Annual7 Days trial$34.991 Year
One-time1
  • Expose Premium Lifetime$69.99

Questions

Is Hosty free?
Hosty is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Expose HTTP Server free?
Expose HTTP Server is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Hosty or Expose HTTP Server have ads?
Neither Hosty nor Expose HTTP Server shows ads.

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