Comparison

Expose HTTP Server vs Focal

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

Head to head
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

About

Focal

Features
Read full description

Focal is a fast, private JSON viewer that works completely offline. Open a JSON file and Focal turns it into a clean, collapsible tree you can actually read — no pasting into a website, no uploading, nothing leaving your device. Huge exports open in an instant, search finds any key or value, and the inspector shows you the exact bytes from the file, never silently reformatted. • OFFLINE & PRIVATE — your JSON never leaves your device. No account, no upload, no tracking, no ads. • OPENS HUGE FILES — an indexed viewer opens massive JSON in an instant and scrolls smoothly. • SEARCH ANYTHING — find any key or value instantly and jump straight to each match. • EXACT SOURCE — inspect the real bytes from the file, never "prettified" behind your back. • ONE APP, EVERY DEVICE — a focused reader for iPhone, iPad and Mac. Perfect for developers, QA and anyone who works with APIs, config files or data exports and just wants to read JSON quickly and privately.

Screenshots

Expose HTTP Server4 screens
Focal4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Focal at none against Expose HTTP Server's 3. On price, ads, device support and iOS requirement 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. Expose HTTP Server sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per month. Focal asks for nothing beyond the download.

Scorecard1 real difference · 8 level
Expose HTTP Server versus Focal: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterExpose HTTP ServerFocal
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (1 ratings) — better—
Number of ratings1 — better—
Update frequencyFortnightly—
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — better
Requires iOS15.015.0
Further details — not scored
Size26 MB29 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperBonjour, LLCUMUTCAN SAHIN

In-app purchases

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
None

Focal

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Expose HTTP Server free?
Expose HTTP Server is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Focal free?
Focal is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Expose HTTP Server or Focal have ads?
Neither Expose HTTP Server nor Focal shows ads.

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