# File Explorer vs Alert

The clearest difference is price: File Explorer at Free against Alert's $2.99. File Explorer also leads on update cadence (every 3 months vs every 42 months) and rating (3.9 vs 3.5). Alert's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 2) and ads (none vs shown). On iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

File Explorer is free to download; Alert costs $2.99 up front. File Explorer sells 2 one-off in-app purchases. Alert asks for nothing beyond the download.

File Explorer holds the better App Store score, 3.9 against 3.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: File Explorer has 79 ratings behind it against 2, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 65% of File Explorer's written reviews are positive against 50% of Alert's.

File Explorer ships an update every 3 months, Alert every 42 months. The most recent releases landed on November 1, 2026 and November 2, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | File Explorer | Alert |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | **Free** | $2.99 |
| Rating | **[3.9 (79 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/file-explorer-file-manager-zip/id954838257/reviews)** | [3.5 (2 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/alert/id1086470985/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **79** | 2 |
| Positive reviews | **65.0% of reviews** | 50.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | **Every 3 months** | Every 42 months |
| Monetization | **Free with in-app purchases** | Paid |
| Size | 21 MB | 17 MB |
| Requires iOS | 12.0 | 12.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | **iPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple TV** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [农 葛](https://appshunter.io/developer/591089697) | [iTrack Systems Limited](https://appshunter.io/developer/884331383) |

## What reviewers say

### File Explorer

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/file-explorer-file-manager-zip/id954838257)

Organize, view, and protect your important files on your iPhone or iPad. Easily transfer files via Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or iCloud, and preview various document types. Secure your data with passcode protection.

**Highlights:** Wi-Fi file transfer, Bluetooth file exchange, iCloud file management, Multi-format file preview, Passcode protection, File compression

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Remove advertisement | $0.99 | one-time |
| Vedio Player | $1.99 | one-time |


### Alert

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/alert/id1086470985)

This app acts as a personal alarm and remote monitor, detecting changes in sound, light, motion, or faces to trigger alerts. It offers customizable sensitivity and the ability to share alarms with friends for remote monitoring.

**Highlights:** Detects sound, light, motion, and faces, Customizable alarm sensitivity, Remote monitoring with friends, Optional pre-alarm alerts, Records short videos before alarm, Dark screen mode with torch

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is File Explorer free?

File Explorer is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Alert free?

Alert costs $2.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, File Explorer or Alert?

File Explorer is rated higher. File Explorer averages 3.9 out of 5 from 79 ratings, while Alert averages 3.5 from 2 ratings.

### Do File Explorer or Alert have ads?

File Explorer shows ads; Alert does not.

### Which is updated more often, File Explorer or Alert?

File Explorer ships an update every 3 months, and Alert every 42 months. Most recently, File Explorer was updated on November 1, 2026 and Alert on November 2, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*