Yalist vs NextExplorer
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Yalist
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Yalist — unified storage, one file manager Stop hopping between vendor apps and browser tabs. Yalist is a powerful file browser that lets you add many storage backends side by side—so your documents, media, and project files stay reachable from a single place. What you can connect On this device: pick a local folder as a storage root (great for offline copies and sideloaded content). Open protocols & infra: WebDAV, FTP and FTPS, SFTP, SMB/CIFS, S3‑compatible APIs (e.g. MinIO and similar), IPFS API, and more. Cloud & platforms: connect accounts and services you already use—including mainstream international providers (e.g. Google Drive, Dropbox, Microsoft OneDrive) and a wide range of regional or specialized services (see in‑app list). Bridges & panels: work with remote Alist (v2/v3), Cloudreve, KodBox‑style endpoints, and other aggregator‑style backends when you self‑host or use a compatible server. What you can do Browse folders and files with a consistent interface across storages. Preview common formats where supported (e.g. documents and media—capabilities depend on file type and platform). Manage multiple profiles: keep personal, work, and lab storage separate but reachable. Use the app in multiple languages and tune appearance (theme options) for comfortable daily use. Who it’s for Anyone with files split across several clouds or NAS boxes. Self‑hosters and homelab users who rely on WebDAV, SMB, S3, or Alist‑style gateways. Teams and individuals who want one browser for remote folders without giving up their existing services. Important Yalist is a client for services you configure; you need valid credentials and must comply with each provider’s terms. Feature availability can vary by storage type, network, and OS; some integrations are best suited to specific regions or account types. Privacy & data Connections and credentials are under your control; the app is designed to help you access your storages. Review the in‑app privacy information and your own security practices (especially on untrusted networks).
NextExplorer
Access and manage your self-hosted files with a fast, native iOS client. Browse, edit code, search, and share files privately. Requires a separate server instance.
- Native file browsing with thumbnails
- Rich media previews
- Built-in code editor with syntax highlighting
- Full-text and name search
- Offline access to recently viewed files
- Private, zero-tracking data transfer
- Link sharing and file management
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NextExplorer is the fast, native iOS client for your self-hosted NextExplorer server. Experience private, full-speed access to your files, photos, documents, and code, all hosted on your own infrastructure. Your server. Your data. Native speed. NOTE: NextExplorer requires an active NextExplorer server instance. It does not host files independently. NATIVE FILE BROWSING - Grid & List Views: Seamless navigation with server-generated thumbnails, breadcrumbs, and pull-to-refresh. - Rich Media Previews: Full-screen photo gallery with gesture support, inline video/audio players, and native PDF rendering. - Archive Inspection: Browse straight inside ZIP archives without extracting files. BUILT-IN CODE & TEXT EDITOR - Syntax Highlighting: Edit Swift, Python, JS/TS, Go, Rust, Java, HTML, CSS, JSON, YAML, Markdown, and more. - Fast Edits: Make quick changes to server files directly from your iPhone or iPad. POWERFUL SEARCH & ORGANIZATION - Full-Text & Name Search: Recursive searching across files with exact line-matching for content. - Instant Filtering: Filter search results by file type with a single tap. - Share & Manage: Create read-only or read-write link shares, manage favorites, upload, move, rename, and organize folders on the fly. OFFLINE & PRIVACY FIRST - Offline Access: Recently viewed folders and file lists remain accessible offline with automatic background sync when reconnected. - Zero Tracking: Your files transfer directly between your device and your server. No middleman, no telemetry. ACCESSIBLE & GLOBAL - Localized: Fully translated into 17 languages, including full Right-to-Left (RTL) support for Arabic. - iOS Native: Optimized for Dark Mode, Dynamic Type, VoiceOver, reduced motion, and high contrast settings. Run your own cloud. Keep your data yours.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Yalist at none against NextExplorer's 3. Yalist also leads on iOS requirement (12.0 vs 18.0). On price, ads 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. NextExplorer sells 3 one-off in-app purchases. Yalist asks for nothing beyond the download.
| Parameter | Yalist | NextExplorer |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | — | 5.0 (1 ratings) — better |
| Number of ratings | — | 1 — better |
| Update frequency | — | Every 2 days |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | — | Free |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 12.0 — better | 18.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 35 MB | 136 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Hefei Yunyilian Intelligent Technology Co., Ltd | Phillip Maizza |
In-app purchases
Yalist
No in-app purchases
NextExplorer
- Coffee$0.99
- Cake$2.99
- Generous$4.99









