Comparison

deBeam vs Explorer

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

Explorer

Features
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Explorer turns your iPhone into a full sensor logger. Start a session and it records your GPS track together with barometric pressure, compass heading, motion and activity data, step counts, and battery state — in the foreground or with the screen locked. YOUR DATA STAYS YOURS Everything is stored on your device. No account, no analytics, no ads, no third-party SDKs. Data leaves your phone only when you export it — and you choose where it goes. RECORD • One-tap session recording with live dashboard: position, speed, altitude, G-force • Background tracking that keeps logging while your screen is off • Log points of interest with a tap - or hands-free with Siri: "Log a POI in Explorer" • Per-sensor controls and sample rates to balance detail against battery EXPLORE • Every session drawn on the map in its own color, with POI pins • Live compass, motion, and environment views • Browse every reading in the Data viewer with filters and charts • Preview any session on a map before deleting it EXPORT ANYWHERE • Share ZIPs of CSV or JSONL via Files, AirDrop, or Mail • Or send data straight to your own server: any HTTP(S) endpoint, POST or PUT, custom headers, Bearer/Basic/API-key auth — credentials kept in the iOS Keychain • Filter exports by sensor type, session, and date range • Full schema documentation built into the app (Help → Data Reference) Explorer asks for location (including Always, for background recording) and motion permissions. Recording happens after you tap Start Tracking or open the app.

Screenshots

deBeam4 screens
Explorer4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Explorer at none against deBeam's 3. deBeam's advantage is device support (4 vs 1) and iOS requirement (15.1 vs 17.0). 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. Explorer asks for nothing beyond the download.

Scorecard3 real differences Ā· 3 level
deBeam versus Explorer: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterdeBeamExplorer
PriceFreeFree
Update frequencyDaily—
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — betteriPhone
Requires iOS15.1 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size40 MB2 MB
Age rating12+4+
DeveloperTan Vi MinhJames Bolderson

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

Explorer

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is deBeam free?
deBeam is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Explorer free?
Explorer is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do deBeam or Explorer have ads?
Neither deBeam nor Explorer shows ads.

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