Comparison

FileMate 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

FileMate

This app is a powerful local file manager that allows you to browse, organize, and protect your documents, photos, and videos. It offers robust privacy features like file hiding and password protection, along with convenient file transfer and archive management.

Highlights
  • Local file management
  • Photo and video vault
  • File hiding and password protection
  • WiFi and iTunes file transfer
  • Archive and extract (7z, rar, zip)
  • File search and marking
  • Customizable themes
Features
Read full description

FileMate – Local File Manager FileMate is a powerful local file manager for iPhone that helps you easily manage, browse, transfer, and protect files. View documents, photos, videos, and archives in one place. Keep your private files safe with built-in privacy protection and password lock. Simple, fast, and designed for everyday file management. -------- Core Features File Browser Quickly view and preview many file types: • Office documents and PDF files • Text files: txt, json, js, log, java, php, swift, xml • High-resolution images and long screenshots • Audio and video playback with an efficient media player -------- File Manager Powerful tools to organize your files: • Create folders and files • Rename, copy, move, and delete files • View file attributes • Hide files for privacy Sort files by name, type, time, or size. -------- Privacy Protection Protect your private files inside the app. • Hide sensitive files • Files remain isolated from other apps • Optional password protection -------- Key Functions Add Files Add files to FileMate in multiple ways: • Create folders, text files, photos, and videos directly in the app • Import files from Photos, Files, or other apps • Transfer files between PC and iPhone via WiFi • Transfer files between Mac and iPhone using Finder or iTunes -------- Archive & Extract FileMate supports common archive formats: • 7z • rar • zip • tar Password-protected archives are supported. -------- File Search Quickly find files using: • Fuzzy search • Multi-keyword search -------- File Marking Mark important files for faster access and display them in custom sorting views. -------- Hidden Files Private files can be set as hidden. Hidden files are not shown by default and can be revealed when needed. -------- Password Lock Protect access to the app: • App password lock • Face ID / Touch ID unlock • Custom authentication timeout settings -------- Super Hidden Mode Hide all settings related to hidden files so only you know these features exist. -------- Additional Features Sharing Panel • Import files into the app in batches • Share files to other apps Theme Settings • Customize themes • Adjust folder style, menus, and text size Unread Reminder • Set reminder times for unread files -------- Contact & Feedback If you have any questions or suggestions about the product, please feel free to contact us. Email: orange_family@icloud.com QQ group: 398168949 -------- [Auto-renewable subscription service] 1. Service: All Access, Removing Ad (1 Month) 2. Period: 1 Month 3. Price: $0.99 / Month 4. Payment will be charged to iTunes Account at confirmation of purchase 5. Subscription automatically renews unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24-hours before the end of the current period 6. Account will be charged for renewal within 24-hours prior to the end of the current period, and identify the cost of the renewal 7. Subscriptions may be managed by the user and auto-renewal may be turned off by going to the user's Account Settings after purchase 8. Terms of Use: http://www.orangestall.com/folder/subscription.html 9. Privacy Policy: http://www.orangestall.com/legal/privacy.html 1. Service: All Access, Removing Ad (1 Year) 2. Period: 1 Year 3. Price: $9.99 / Year 4. Payment will be charged to iTunes Account at confirmation of purchase 5. Subscription automatically renews unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24-hours before the end of the current period 6. Account will be charged for renewal within 24-hours prior to the end of the current period, and identify the cost of the renewal 7. Subscriptions may be managed by the user and auto-renewal may be turned off by going to the user's Account Settings after purchase 8. Terms of Use: http://www.orangestall.com/folder/subscription.html 9. Privacy Policy: http://www.orangestall.com/legal/privacy.html

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

FileMate4 screens
ES File Explorer4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ads: ES File Explorer at none against FileMate's shown. ES File Explorer also leads on ratings volume (15K vs 378). FileMate's advantage is review sentiment (75% vs 64%). On price, rating, update cadence and in-app purchases 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. FileMate sells 7 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per month and ES File Explorer sells 7 in-app purchases, starting at $6.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.6 for FileMate against 4.6 for ES File Explorer. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: ES File Explorer has 15K ratings behind it against 378, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 75% of FileMate's written reviews are positive against 64% of ES File Explorer's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

FileMate ships an update every 2 weeks, ES File Explorer every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 20, 2026 and September 24, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
FileMate versus ES File Explorer: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterFileMateES File Explorer
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.6 (378 ratings)4.6 (15K ratings)
Positive reviews75.0% of reviews — better63.7% of reviews
Number of ratings37815K — better
Update frequencyEvery 2 weeks — betterEvery 3 weeks
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple Watch — better
Requires iOS13.013.0
Further details — not scored
Size94 MB263 MB
Age rating4+17+
DeveloperJUNBO JIABeijing Xiaoxiong Bowang Technology Co., Ltd.

Customer experience

FileMate

All ratings378 ratings
Positive91.3%
Neutral3.2%
Negative5.6%
Written reviews52 reviews
Positive75.0%
Neutral7.7%
Negative17.3%

ES File Explorer

All ratings15,195 ratings
Positive89.9%
Neutral3.0%
Negative7.1%
Written reviews1,148 reviews
Positive63.7%
Neutral8.9%
Negative27.4%

User reviews

FileMate

From 378 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 All projects in one place
  • 👍 Few ads, good folder app
  • 👍 Good customization options
  • 👍 Real-time video playback
  • 👍 Easy to use and access

Room to improve

  • 👎 Too many prompts
  • 👎 Limited file viewers
  • 👎 Videos don’t play audio
  • 👎 Ads are annoying
  • 👎 Full-screen ads

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

FileMate

Reported bugs

14 issues
  • Videos don’t play audio
  • Files can be accessed by other apps
  • Videos play without sound
  • MKV files not playable
  • MP4 file play without sound
Show 9 more
  • Thumbnail blank, video black screen with sound
  • Import photos not working after update
  • Sharing files not working after update
  • More ads than before
  • Full-screen ads
  • Shake to hide doesn't jump out of hidden directories
  • App stays in background for a long time without being killed
  • Single directory with over 5000 images causes crash
  • Basic functions removed after update

Requested features

20 requests
  • Provide multiple purchase options
  • Add Face ID and Touch ID for hidden files
  • Improve file viewer features (thumbnails, playlists, adjustments)
  • Add folder locking to prevent accidental deletion
  • Implement folder download from PC
Show 15 more
  • Display folder space usage and phone storage remaining
  • Add file property viewing
  • Improve handling of large numbers of images in a directory
  • Add reverse sorting option
  • Improve batch selection for importing files
  • Allow font size adjustment
  • Add progress bar for document viewing
  • Enhance support for landscape mode
  • Add manual language selection
  • Allow password lock on shake to hide feature
  • Improve video playback (swipe to next, no sound issue)
  • Auto-hide hidden items after a period of inactivity
  • Fix import photos issue
  • Fix sharing files issue
  • Fix more ads than before

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

7 purchases

FileMate

Subscriptions2
  • All Access, Removing Ad$3.991 Month
  • All Access, Removing Ad$34.991 Year
One-time5
  • Removing Ad$9.99
  • Theme, Folder and Night Mode$9.99
  • Passcode Lock$9.99
Show 2 more
  • Super Hidden$9.99
  • All Features & Removing Ad$149.99
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 FileMate free?
FileMate is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is ES File Explorer free?
ES File Explorer is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, FileMate or ES File Explorer?
FileMate and ES File Explorer are both rated 4.6 out of 5 on the App Store, from 378 and 15K ratings respectively.
Do FileMate or ES File Explorer have ads?
FileMate shows ads; ES File Explorer does not.
Which is updated more often, FileMate or ES File Explorer?
FileMate ships an update every 2 weeks, and ES File Explorer every 3 weeks. Most recently, FileMate was updated on September 20, 2026 and ES File Explorer on September 24, 2026.

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