# File Explorer vs CX File Explorer & Manager

The clearest difference is rating: CX File Explorer & Manager at 4.4 against File Explorer's 3.9. CX File Explorer & Manager also leads on update cadence (every 6 weeks vs every 3 months) and ratings volume (373 vs 79). File Explorer's advantage is review sentiment (65% vs 29%) and iOS requirement (12.0 vs 15.0). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. File Explorer sells 2 one-off in-app purchases and CX File Explorer & Manager sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

CX File Explorer & Manager holds the better App Store score, 4.4 against 3.9. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 79 and 373 respectively. Written reviews complicate that: 65% of File Explorer's written reviews are positive against 29% of CX File Explorer & Manager'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, CX File Explorer & Manager every 6 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 29, 2026 and October 22, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | File Explorer | CX File Explorer & Manager |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [3.9 (79 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/file-explorer-file-manager-zip/id954838257/reviews) | **[4.4 (373 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cx-file-explorer-and-manager/id6511239421/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 79 | **373** |
| Positive reviews | **65.0% of reviews** | 28.6% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 3 months | **Every 6 weeks** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 21 MB | 40 MB |
| Requires iOS | **12.0** | 15.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | iPhone, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [农 葛](https://appshunter.io/developer/591089697) | [Fatiha Badag](https://appshunter.io/developer/1720152607) |

## 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 |


### CX File Explorer & Manager

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cx-file-explorer-and-manager/id6511239421)

This app helps you organize, sort, search, and manage all your files, including documents, photos, and videos. It also supports extracting multiple archive file formats like ZIP, RAR, and 7-Zip.

**Highlights:** Manage device storage, Extract archive files (ZIP, RAR, 7z), Browse photos and videos, Transfer files via Wi-Fi, Quickly search for files, Delete, share, and rename files

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Family Sharing, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Weekly Plan | $1.99 | per 7 days |
| Monthly Plan | $4.99 | per month |
| Lifetime Plan | $14.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Great on Android
- 👍 Hope it's similar
- 👍 Wonderful app on Android
- 👍 Brilliant Android app
- 👍 Best File Manager

**What reviewers complain about**

- 😞 Not the same as Android
- 😞 Nothing for free
- 😞 It sucks
- 😞 Looks old
- 😞 Screen is too small

**Reported bugs**

- Email address for support doesn't work
- App asks to review immediately
- Can't get in contact with anyone about deleting account

**Requested features**

- How to get on game files
- How to open Device Storage on iPhone 13
- How to put files on there
- More sense in the app
- Make it not in English


## Frequently asked questions

### Is File Explorer free?

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

### Is CX File Explorer & Manager free?

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

### Which has better reviews, File Explorer or CX File Explorer & Manager?

CX File Explorer & Manager is rated higher. File Explorer averages 3.9 out of 5 from 79 ratings, while CX File Explorer & Manager averages 4.4 from 373 ratings.

### Do File Explorer or CX File Explorer & Manager have ads?

Both File Explorer and CX File Explorer & Manager show ads.

### Which is updated more often, File Explorer or CX File Explorer & Manager?

File Explorer ships an update every 3 months, and CX File Explorer & Manager every 6 weeks. Most recently, File Explorer was updated on September 29, 2026 and CX File Explorer & Manager on October 22, 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.*