Comparison

Dataplicity vs File Glider

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

Head to head
About

Dataplicity

Access your Raspberry Pi shell remotely from any network without complex configurations like dynamic DNS or port forwarding. This secure solution uses a client-initiated connection, eliminating the need for SSH or open ports on your device.

Highlights
  • Remote shell access
  • No dynamic DNS needed
  • No port forwarding required
  • Works behind NAT/firewalls
  • Secure websockets connection
  • No SSH required
  • Agent runs without root
Features
Read full description

Dataplicity helps teams support connected Linux devices after they ship, wherever the work happens. Use the Dataplicity iOS app to find the right device, check live status, and take the next support action without going back to a laptop. With Dataplicity you can: - Search enrolled devices by name or ID - See current device status at a glance - Review service endpoint, heartbeat, user impact, and device monitor signals - Acknowledge or escalate open incidents - Confirm fixes when work is complete - Open terminal access for a selected device when shell access is the fastest path - Reach docs, help, and account settings from the app Dataplicity is built for real support work: customer sites, production floors, field visits, and incident response. Start with the easy checks, understand what is happening, and keep the work moving from your iPhone or iPad. Dataplicity access requires an active Dataplicity account and enrolled devices.

About

File Glider

Wirelessly transfer files to and from compatible Bluetooth Low Energy or Wi-Fi devices. Browse, edit, and manage files directly within the app or integrate with the Files app for broader access. Supports multiple device management and sharing across applications.

Highlights
  • Wireless file transfer
  • BLE and Wi-Fi support
  • File browsing and editing
  • Files app integration
  • Multiple device management
  • Cross-app access sharing
Features
Read full description

Wirelessly transfer files to and from file transfer ready Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) or Wi-Fi firmware.  Browse and edit files from within File Glider or use the Files app integration to access the files from other apps.  Multiple devices can be managed at once and access can be shared amongst multiple apps. Compatible devices: * nrf52840 boards running CircuitPython * ESP32-S2 TFT The file transfer protocol is open so you can use File Glider with custom firmware. See GitHub for protocol details: https://github.com/adafruit/Adafruit_CircuitPython_BLE_File_Transfer Source for the app is here: https://github.com/adafruit/Glider-for-iOS

Screenshots

Dataplicity4 screens
File Glider4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Dataplicity at 79% against File Glider's 0%. Dataplicity also leads on rating (4.6 vs 4.2) and ratings volume (163 vs 5). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model 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. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Dataplicity holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 4.2. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Dataplicity has 163 ratings behind it against 5, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 79% of Dataplicity's written reviews are positive against 0% of File Glider's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Dataplicity ships an update every 3 months, File Glider every 10 months. The most recent releases landed on October 3, 2026 and October 1, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Dataplicity versus File Glider: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterDataplicityFile Glider
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.6 (163 ratings) — better4.2 (5 ratings)
Positive reviews78.6% of reviews — better0.0% of reviews
Number of ratings163 — better5
Update frequencyEvery 3 months — betterEvery 10 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFreeFree
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple Watch — betteriPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.115.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size34 MB3 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperMachineForest LtdAdafruit Industries

Customer experience

Dataplicity

All ratings163 ratings
Positive90.8%
Neutral1.2%
Negative8.0%
Written reviews42 reviews
Positive78.6%
Neutral0.0%
Negative21.4%

File Glider

All ratings5 ratings
Positive80.0%
Neutral20.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive0.0%
Neutral100.0%
Negative0.0%

Bugs and requests

Dataplicity

Reported bugs

8 issues
  • App crashes before any action can be taken
  • App crashes when trying to add a system/device
  • In-call status bar pushes terminal down, hiding part of the special function keyboard
  • Third-party keyboards of different heights block the bottom half of the special function keyboard
  • App does not auto-scroll or allow manual scrolling on screen
Show 3 more
  • Cannot connect to Pi from auto-connect or command line
  • Custom actions are not always working
  • Unreachable devices remain unreachable, no way to delete them

Requested features

7 requests
  • Add a widget for one-click access to custom actions
  • Add proper keyboard support with control, tab, escape keys
  • Allow font size adjustment
  • Improve terminal colors
  • Allow landscape mode for the terminal
Show 2 more
  • Add a dark mode option
  • Improve bandwidth offerings on paid subscriptions

File Glider

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

Dataplicity

No in-app purchases

None

File Glider

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Dataplicity free?
Dataplicity is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is File Glider free?
File Glider is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Dataplicity or File Glider?
Dataplicity is rated higher. Dataplicity averages 4.6 out of 5 from 163 ratings, while File Glider averages 4.2 from 5 ratings.
Do Dataplicity or File Glider have ads?
Neither Dataplicity nor File Glider shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Dataplicity or File Glider?
Dataplicity ships an update every 3 months, and File Glider every 10 months. Most recently, Dataplicity was updated on October 3, 2026 and File Glider on October 1, 2026.

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