Comparison

deBeam vs WebDAV File Browser

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

Head to head
About

deBeam

Features
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deBeam transfers files directly between devices over local Wi-Fi at full network speed. --- HOW IT WORKS --- Pairing takes just 3 seconds. The receiver taps "Receive" to show a QR code. The sender scans it and taps "Send". Done. No usernames, no pairing codes, no waiting for cloud servers. --- WIRELESS TRANSPORT MODE --- Wi-Fi LAN (Same Network / Hotspot) Already on the same router or connected via a Mobile Hotspot? deBeam uses your existing local network path. Every device keeps its own IP, eliminating IP collisions. Fully cross-platform: transfer between iOS, iPadOS, macOS, and other mobile or desktop platforms with no setup required. Real-world speed: 50-100 MB/s. A 1 GB video transfers in under 20 seconds. High-performance local streaming without routing bottlenecks or cloud dependency. --- PROTOCOL-LEVEL END-TO-END ENCRYPTION --- Security in deBeam is the protocol itself, implemented at the lowest native layer. Key Exchange - X25519 ECDH Every session generates a new keypair from scratch using random bytes from the OS secure random number generator. The receiver's public key is embedded in the QR code. Scanning performs an X25519 Elliptic Curve Diffie-Hellman exchange, producing a shared secret that exists only on those two devices for that one session. The attacker space is 2^255 - computationally impossible to brute force. Key Derivation - BLAKE2b The shared secret is processed through BLAKE2b with the context string "deBeam-v3-session". This binds the derived key strictly to this protocol version, preventing key reuse or replay attacks. Encryption - ChaCha20-Poly1305 (AEAD) Every byte of your files is encrypted with ChaCha20-Poly1305. Files stream in 1 MB chunks, each with a unique nonce derived from its file index and chunk position. No nonce reuse: No two chunks ever share a nonce - cryptographic reuse attacks are impossible. Integrity: Each chunk carries a 16-byte Poly1305 authentication tag. Any tampered or replayed chunk is instantly detected and the connection terminates. Memory Security - crypto_wipe() After the key exchange, ephemeral private keys and session keys are immediately wiped from memory using crypto_wipe(). Past sessions cannot be recovered even if the device is compromised later. Threat Coverage Eavesdropping: Blocked by ChaCha20-Poly1305 encryption. Man-in-the-middle: Blocked by X25519 (cannot forge secret without private keys). Rogue device: Impossible without the QR-embedded public key. Brute force: 2^255 key space - mathematically infeasible. An 8-byte visual key fingerprint ("A1B2-C3D4...") on the receiver's screen allows quick visual verification before files move. --- NATIVE PERFORMANCE --- The encryption and streaming engine is written via native integration using Monocypher 4.0.2 - a compact, audited crypto library. ChaCha20-Poly1305 runs at ~500 MB/s on ARMv8. Encryption overhead is zero compared to Wi-Fi throughput - no speed penalty for maximum security. --- NO SERVER. NO CLOUD. NO ACCOUNT. --- deBeam has no backend infrastructure. No signup, no login, no tracking, no telemetry. QR pairing is computed entirely on-device and works 100% offline. Files travel directly from sender to receiver. --- CORE FEATURES --- Send multiple files in a single session All file types: videos, photos, docs, archives, RAW files, and custom formats Persistent local storage - chosen destination saved securely via Security-scoped Bookmarks No file size limit QR code pairing - no manual IP entry, no accounts Visual key fingerprint for authenticity verification Files saved securely to system Downloads or custom user-defined directory Real-time transfer progress per file Full cross-platform support across mobile and desktop devices deBeam. Beam it. Privacy Policy: https://devitan-docs.gitbook.io/devitans-apps/x.-privacy-policy-for-devitans-apps Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

About

WebDAV File Browser

Features
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File Browser helps you browse and organize files stored on WebDAV servers, NAS devices, and local folders. It connects directly to the server you choose and performs folder listing, quick hashing, and media analysis on your device. There is no developer account to create, and your files and usage data are not uploaded to us. Browse and play • Browse WebDAV servers and authorized local folders • View folder structure, file sizes, and modification dates • Play common video formats with the system player or VLC engine • Favorite videos, resume playback, and play continuously or in random order Organize files • Copy, cut, paste, move, and delete files • Search the current folder or include all subfolders • Scan videos only or include all regular files • Review a clear confirmation before every deletion Find duplicate content • Use Size Only mode to identify possible duplicates quickly • Use Quick Hash to read small samples from the beginning, middle, and end of each candidate file • Sort results by reclaimable storage • Compare video duration, resolution, sampled frames, and audio fingerprints for additional review • Copy a Markdown scan report for your records Privacy and security • No ads, tracking, or analytics SDKs • WebDAV passwords are stored in the system Keychain • The App Store version connects only to HTTPS WebDAV servers with valid certificates • Local folders require authorization through the system file picker File Browser is designed for anyone who wants to manage a personal media library, NAS, or WebDAV storage from iPhone, iPad, or Mac.

Screenshots

deBeam4 screens
WebDAV File Browser3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: WebDAV File Browser at none against deBeam's 3. deBeam's advantage is update cadence (daily vs every 2 days) and device support (4 vs 2). On price and ads there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price Ā· Rating Ā· Positive reviews Ā· Number of ratings Ā· Update frequency Ā· Ads Ā· In-app purchases Ā· Monetization Ā· Best chart rank Ā· Devices Ā· Requires iOS

CostPrice Ā· In-app purchases Ā· Ads Ā· Monetization

Both are free to download. deBeam sells 3 one-off in-app purchases. WebDAV File Browser asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

deBeam ships an update daily, WebDAV File Browser every 2 days. The most recent releases landed on September 8, 2026 and September 21, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences Ā· 2 level
deBeam versus WebDAV File Browser: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterdeBeamWebDAV File Browser
PriceFreeFree
Update frequencyDaily — betterEvery 2 days
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS15.1 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size40 MB38 MB
Age rating12+4+
DeveloperTan Vi Minh放 å¼ 

In-app purchases

3 purchases

deBeam

One-time3
  • Support deBeam - Tier 1$0.99
  • Support deBeam - Tier 2$1.99
  • Support deBeam - Tier 3$4.99
None

WebDAV File Browser

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is deBeam free?
deBeam is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is WebDAV File Browser free?
WebDAV File Browser is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do deBeam or WebDAV File Browser have ads?
Neither deBeam nor WebDAV File Browser shows ads.
Which is updated more often, deBeam or WebDAV File Browser?
deBeam ships an update daily, and WebDAV File Browser every 2 days. Most recently, deBeam was updated on September 8, 2026 and WebDAV File Browser on September 21, 2026.

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