# File Explorer vs Files Protection

The clearest difference is rating: Files Protection at 4.6 against File Explorer's 3.9. Files Protection also leads on update cadence (fortnightly vs every 3 months) and ratings volume (601 vs 79). File Explorer's advantage is iOS requirement (12.0 vs 17.0). On price, review sentiment, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. File Explorer sells 2 one-off in-app purchases and Files Protection sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Files Protection holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 3.9. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Files Protection has 601 ratings behind it against 79, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 65% of File Explorer's written reviews are positive against 58% of Files Protection's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

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

## The numbers

| Metric | File Explorer | Files Protection |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [3.9 (79 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/file-explorer-file-manager-zip/id954838257/reviews) | **[4.6 (601 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/files-protection/id1390264165/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 79 | **601** |
| Positive reviews | **65.0% of reviews** | 58.3% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 3 months | **Fortnightly** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 21 MB | 33 MB |
| Requires iOS | **12.0** | 17.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 17+ |
| Developer | [农 葛](https://appshunter.io/developer/591089697) | [Binh Tran](https://appshunter.io/developer/1386007300) |

## 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 |


### Files Protection

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/files-protection/id1390264165)

Securely manage, view, and download files on your iPhone or iPad. Protect your sensitive documents, photos, and videos with a passcode and enjoy a powerful media player and document viewer.

**Highlights:** Secure file management with passcode, Document viewer for various formats, Powerful media player, File downloader with web browser, Dark mode support, File sharing via AirDrop

**Features:** Vision Pro support, iPhone Duo support

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Remove Advertisments | $1.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🔒 Strong privacy and security features
- 👍 Easy to use interface
- 💾 Effective file storage and organization
- 🎯 Good for hiding sensitive photos and videos
- 🔄 Regular app updates

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Frequent app crashes after updates
- ⚠️ Data loss after app deletion or reinstallation
- 🔐 No password recovery mechanism
- 🚫 Video loading failures
- ⚡ Slow performance and loading times

**Reported bugs**

- App crashes 7 seconds after launch
- Passcode authentication not working after updates
- App force closes unexpectedly
- Files disappear from app despite existing in device storage
- Video import from library not functioning

**Requested features**

- Backup and restore functionality
- Password recovery option
- Touch ID/Biometric authentication support
- Dark mode
- GIF file support


## Frequently asked questions

### Is File Explorer free?

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

### Is Files Protection free?

Files Protection is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, File Explorer or Files Protection?

Files Protection is rated higher. File Explorer averages 3.9 out of 5 from 79 ratings, while Files Protection averages 4.6 from 601 ratings.

### Do File Explorer or Files Protection have ads?

Both File Explorer and Files Protection show ads.

### Which is updated more often, File Explorer or Files Protection?

File Explorer ships an update every 3 months, and Files Protection fortnightly. Most recently, File Explorer was updated on November 1, 2026 and Files Protection 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.*