Comparison

MEGA vs ES File Explorer

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

Head to head
About

MEGA

Securely store, sync, and share your files with end-to-end encryption. Communicate privately with encrypted chat and video calls. Access your data from any device, anywhere.

Highlights
  • End-to-end encrypted cloud storage
  • Secure one-on-one and group chat
  • Encrypted audio and video calls
  • File upload, download, and sharing
  • Real-time folder updates
  • Cross-device access
Features
Read full description

MEGA is one app for everything private. Securely store, back up, share files, and chat, protected by true zero-knowledge encryption. Only you can access your files. Not even us. Store & back up - 20 GB of free encrypted cloud storage, no credit card required - Automatic camera backup for your photos and videos - Access your files from any device, anywhere, anytime - Restore previous versions with file version history Share & collaborate - Share files and folders with secure, password-protected links - Set expiry dates on shared links for time-limited access - Collaborate in real time with folder sharing - Transfer large files to anyone, no MEGA account needed Chat & meet privately - End-to-end encrypted one-on-one and group chats - Encrypted audio and video calls - Chat history synced automatically across all your devices Privacy by design - Zero-knowledge encryption, your data is encrypted and decrypted on your device only - MEGA cannot read your files, messages, or calls - Open-source code, publicly available and independently audited on GitHub - Your account recovery key ensures only you can access your data Start free with 20 GB of private cloud storage. Upgrade anytime for more space at mega.io/pricing Subscriptions renew automatically for successive periods of the same duration at the same price as the initial period chosen. You can cancel the automatic renewal of your MEGA subscription no later than 24 hours before your next subscription payment is due, via your Apple account settings page. All MEGA client-side application code is published on GitHub, for transparency. The code of our iOS mobile app is located at: https://github.com/meganz/ios App permissions (optional): Contacts: MEGA accesses your contacts so you can add them from your device. Microphone: MEGA accesses your microphone when you capture a video, make a call or record voice messages inside the app. Camera: MEGA accesses your camera when you capture a video or photo or make a call inside the app. Face ID: MEGA accesses Face ID to allow you to easily unlock the app's passcode when you enable this option. Local network: MEGA accesses your local network so you can place and receive calls through devices that are on the same Wi-Fi or other local network. Location: MEGA accesses your location when you share it with your contacts in chat. Add photos to photo library: MEGA accesses your photo library to add photos and videos to your device gallery. Photo library usage: MEGA accesses your photos and videos when you upload them, share them through the chat and when camera uploads are enabled. MEGA’s Terms of Service: https://mega.io/terms Privacy Policy: https://mega.io/privacy

About

ES File Explorer

Manage local and network files with this comprehensive tool. It offers file transfer, compression, built-in media players, cloud storage integration, and editing capabilities for various document and code formats.

Highlights
  • File management and sorting
  • WiFi and face-to-face file transfer
  • ZIP, RAR, 7Z compression/decompression
  • Built-in audio/video player
  • Cloud storage aggregation
  • Remote service access (SMB, FTP, WebDAV)
  • PDF and code editor
Features
Read full description

ES File Explorer is a local and network file management tool that can help you manage files easily. 【The main function】 -File management You can create new directories, rename, move, delete files, etc. Support file sorting by name, date, size The iPad version supports features such as split screen, picture-in-picture, and drag-and-drop operations between apps - file transfer WiFi transmission function: support the transfer of files between the mobile terminal and the computer terminal Face-to-face fast transfer function: support for transferring files between mobile phones -Compress and decompress Support the compression and decompression of ZIP, RAR, 7Z format files Support Chinese password -Built-in audio and video player Support functions: double-speed playback (0.5~2.0), background playback, small window playback, etc. Can directly play audio and video resources in the network disk, local area, and local area network -Netdisk aggregation No need to download, you can access and use the files in the network disk Support simultaneous login with multiple accounts on the same network disk Support mainstream network disks such as Baidu network disk, google drive, OneDrive, dropbox, etc. -Remote service access: SMB, FTP, WebDAV -Built-in PDF editor Support PDF file browsing PDF file editing: supports highlight, underline, strikethrough, pen and other functions -Built-in novel reader Support TXT, EPUB format, continuous optimization -Built-in code editor Supports browsing and editing of 47 code formats such as json, js, log, java, php, swift, xml, net, etc. Support code theme switching, font size adjustment, encoding format adjustment -Other functions Automatic backup function: support incremental backup of system albums and ES local files to Baidu network disk, SMB, FTP, WebDAV Recycle bin function: support ES local files to be temporarily stored in the ES recycle bin after deletion to prevent file loss Browser: Support web browsing Application lock: protect user privacy and safety ES PRO - When you purchase ES PRO, you will Unlock all premium features. - ES PRO is billed monthly or annually at the rate corresponding to the selected plan. - Payment will be charged to your iTunes account at confirmation of purchase. - According to the Apple Store policy, your subscription will be automatically renewed after the free trial ends. - Subscriptions will automatically renew unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24 hours before the end of current period. - Your account will be charged according to your plan for renewal within 24 hours prior to the end of the current period. You can manage or turn off auto-renew in your Apple ID account settings at any time after purchase. Terms of Service: http://esfile.do-global.com/h5/user_manual.html Privacy Policy: http://www.estrongs.com/privacyStatement/en/index.htm Email: esfileexplorerfeedback@outlook.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OfficialESFileExplorer/ YouTube: https://goo.gl/YVXXV3

Screenshots

MEGA4 screens
ES File Explorer4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ads: ES File Explorer at none against MEGA's shown. ES File Explorer also leads on review sentiment (64% vs 46%) and device support (4 vs 2). MEGA's advantage is chart position (#42 vs unranked) and ratings volume (107K vs 15K). On price, rating, update cadence and in-app purchases 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. MEGA sells 10 in-app purchases, starting at $6.49 per month and ES File Explorer sells 7 in-app purchases, starting at $6.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.6 for MEGA against 4.6 for ES File Explorer. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: MEGA has 107K ratings behind it against 15K, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 46% of MEGA's written reviews are positive against 64% of ES File Explorer's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

MEGA ships an update every 2 weeks, ES File Explorer every 3 weeks. Both last shipped on September 24, 2026.

Scorecard6 real differences · 5 level
MEGA versus ES File Explorer: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterMEGAES File Explorer
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.6 (107K ratings)4.6 (15K ratings)
Positive reviews45.7% of reviews63.7% of reviews — better
Number of ratings107K — better15K
Update frequencyEvery 2 weeks — betterEvery 3 weeks
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
Best chart rank#42 — better
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple Watch — better
Requires iOS17.013.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size387 MB263 MB
Age rating4+17+
DeveloperMega Networks LLCBeijing Xiaoxiong Bowang Technology Co., Ltd.

Customer experience

MEGA

All ratings107,054 ratings
Positive90.1%
Neutral2.8%
Negative7.1%
Written reviews1,101 reviews
Positive45.7%
Neutral11.1%
Negative43.2%

ES File Explorer

All ratings15,195 ratings
Positive89.9%
Neutral3.0%
Negative7.1%
Written reviews1,148 reviews
Positive63.7%
Neutral8.9%
Negative27.4%

User reviews

MEGA

From 107K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Fast and efficient coding
  • 🔒 Encrypted and decrypted automatically
  • 👍 Easy to organize files into folders
  • 👍 User-friendly interface with flawless functionality
  • 🚀 Generous free storage

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Thumbnails take forever to load
  • 🐛 Video playback issues and glitches
  • 🐛 Insufficient transfer quota limits downloads
  • 🐛 Freezing and crashing issues
  • 🐛 Unreliable file uploads and downloads

ES File Explorer

From 15K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Powerful file management
  • 📁 Extensive file format support
  • 🔒 Secure folder access
  • 🎵 Excellent built-in media player
  • 🔗 Seamless network connectivity

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Occasional crashes and bugs
  • 💰 Expensive subscription model
  • 🔍 Search functionality issues
  • 🔇 Music playback problems
  • 🔌 Connectivity issues with FTP/SFTP

Bugs and requests

MEGA

Reported bugs

5 issues
  • Login circle with no reaction
  • Inability to view recent file uploads
  • Incorrect file order in offline downloaded folders
  • Inconsistent behavior when opening links in the app
  • Deleted files not actually removed from account

Requested features

8 requests
  • Background downloading support
  • Ability to delete chats and group chats
  • Custom folder icons
  • Separate camera upload folders for each device
  • Better Apple Files integration
Show 3 more
  • Alphabetic sorting for files
  • Video preview thumbnails
  • Offline file access

ES File Explorer

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • Deleted all user files after update
  • Unable to connect to SMB servers
  • Video playback issues with certain file types
  • Inconsistent behavior when using VPN

Requested features

5 requests
  • Dark mode option
  • Improved file compression tools
  • More customization options
  • Better integration with Apple ecosystem
  • Enhanced audio/video playback controls

In-app purchases

10 purchases

MEGA

Subscriptions10
  • PRO LITE Monthly$6.491 Month
  • MEGA PRO I$12.491 Month
  • PRO I Monthly$12.491 Month
Show 7 more
  • MEGA PRO II$24.991 Month
  • PRO II Monthly$24.991 Month
  • PRO III Monthly$37.491 Month
  • PRO LITE Yearly$79.991 Year
  • PRO I Yearly$124.991 Year
  • PRO II Yearly$249.991 Year
  • PRO III Yearly$374.991 Year
7 purchases

ES File Explorer

Subscriptions4
  • ES Pro(1 month)7 Days trial$6.991 Month
  • ES Pro(1 month)$6.991 Month
  • ES Pro(1 year)7 Days trial$29.991 Year
Show 1 more
  • ES Pro(1 year)$29.991 Year
One-time3
  • ES remove ads$1.99
  • ES lifetime vip$4.99
  • ES lifetime vip$6.99

Questions

Is MEGA free?
MEGA is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is ES File Explorer free?
ES File Explorer is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, MEGA or ES File Explorer?
MEGA and ES File Explorer are both rated 4.6 out of 5 on the App Store, from 107K and 15K ratings respectively.
Do MEGA or ES File Explorer have ads?
MEGA shows ads; ES File Explorer does not.
Which is updated more often, MEGA or ES File Explorer?
MEGA ships an update every 2 weeks, and ES File Explorer every 3 weeks. Most recently, MEGA was updated on September 24, 2026 and ES File Explorer on September 24, 2026.

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