Comparison

Shortcuts 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

Shortcuts

Automate tasks on your device with custom multi-step actions. Create personalized workflows from a vast library of examples or build your own using drag-and-drop. Trigger shortcuts with a tap, Siri, or a home screen icon.

Highlights
  • Create multi-step shortcuts
  • Hundreds of example shortcuts
  • Drag-and-drop shortcut builder
  • Launch via Siri or tap
  • Home screen icons for shortcuts
  • Over 300 built-in actions
Read full description

Siri Shortcuts deliver a quick way to get things done with your apps with just a tap or by asking Siri. The Shortcuts app enables you to create personal shortcuts with multiple steps from your favorite apps. Start from hundreds of examples in the Gallery or drag and drop to create your own.  Shortcuts includes over 300 built-in actions and works with many of your favorite apps including Contacts, Calendar, Maps, Music, Photos, Camera, Reminders, Safari, Health as well as any app that supports Siri Shortcuts.  Use the Shortcuts app to: * Get directions home, send your ETA and start listening to the news, just by asking Siri * Add a home screen icon that calls a loved one  * Make animated GIFs * Make PDFs from Safari or any app with a share sheet * Get directions to the nearest coffee shop in one tap * Tweet the song you're listening to * Get all of the images on a web page * Send a message including the last screenshot you took * And so much more... Shortcuts can be launched from the Today widget, from Search or by asking Siri. You can even add an app icon to your home screen for your favorite Shortcuts.  Shortcuts opens up incredible possibilities to automate things you do regularly on your iPhone and iPad.

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

Shortcuts4 screens
ES File Explorer4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Shortcuts at none against ES File Explorer's 7. ES File Explorer's advantage is rating (4.6 vs 4.2) and review sentiment (64% vs 52%). On price, ratings volume, 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. ES File Explorer sells 7 in-app purchases, starting at $6.99 per month. Shortcuts asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

ES File Explorer holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 4.2. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 8.5K and 15K respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 52% of Shortcuts's written reviews are positive against 64% of ES File Explorer's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Shortcuts ships an update every 6 weeks, ES File Explorer every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 17, 2026 and October 19, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Shortcuts versus ES File Explorer: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterShortcutsES File Explorer
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.2 (8.5K ratings)4.6 (15K ratings) — better
Positive reviews52.1% of reviews63.7% of reviews — better
Number of ratings8.5K15K — better
Update frequencyEvery 6 weeksEvery 3 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple Watch — better
Requires iOS12.0 — better13.0
Further details — not scored
Size136 MB263 MB
Age rating4+17+
DeveloperApple Inc.Beijing Xiaoxiong Bowang Technology Co., Ltd.

Customer experience

Shortcuts

All ratings8,527 ratings
Positive79.3%
Neutral6.4%
Negative14.4%
Written reviews1,750 reviews
Positive52.1%
Neutral15.6%
Negative32.3%

ES File Explorer

All ratings15,195 ratings
Positive89.9%
Neutral3.0%
Negative7.1%
Written reviews1,153 reviews
Positive63.7%
Neutral8.8%
Negative27.5%

User reviews

Shortcuts

From 8.5K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Powerful automation capabilities
  • 👍 Customizable app icons
  • 🚀 Efficient workflow creation
  • 🚀 Seamless integration with iOS

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Inconsistent behavior with certain actions
  • 🐛 Buggy home screen integration
  • 🔒 Limited permissions control
  • 🔋 Potential device slowdown with extensive use

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

Shortcuts

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • Shortcuts database corruption issues
  • Crashes when running certain workflows
  • Inconsistent behavior with location-based shortcuts
  • Issues with sharing and exporting shortcuts

Requested features

5 requests
  • Improved Apple Watch integration
  • More granular control over shortcuts
  • Ability to run shortcuts in the background
  • Better documentation and tutorials
  • Expanded third-party app support

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

None

Shortcuts

No in-app purchases

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 Shortcuts free?
Shortcuts is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is ES File Explorer free?
ES File Explorer is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Shortcuts or ES File Explorer?
ES File Explorer is rated higher. Shortcuts averages 4.2 out of 5 from 8.5K ratings, while ES File Explorer averages 4.6 from 15K ratings.
Do Shortcuts or ES File Explorer have ads?
Neither Shortcuts nor ES File Explorer shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Shortcuts or ES File Explorer?
Shortcuts ships an update every 6 weeks, and ES File Explorer every 3 weeks. Most recently, Shortcuts was updated on October 17, 2026 and ES File Explorer on October 19, 2026.

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