Comparison

FileMate vs Transfer Assistant

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

Transfer Assistant

Features
Read full description

Transfer Assistant|iPhone ↔ PC Wireless File Transfer. Tired of tangled USB cables, slow cloud storage speeds and file size limits of social apps? Designed exclusively for cross-platform transmission between iPhone and PC, Transfer Assistant requires no PC installation. You can transfer documents, photos, 4K videos, archives and texts at high speed simply via a browser, with secure and fast peer-to-peer local network connection. 3 Simple Steps for Instant Connection 1. Install and launch the app on your iPhone to generate a unique access link 2. Open any browser (Chrome, Edge, Firefox) on your PC device, enter the link and connect in 1 second 3. Share files, images and texts like instant messaging. All files from PC will be automatically saved to the exclusive folder without manual operation Core Features No PC Software Required: Works perfectly with only a browser, even on restricted office computers without administrator privileges No File Size/Quantity Limits: Transfer large files such as 1GB HD videos and oversized archives without restrictions Private Local Network Transfer: Peer-to-peer local transmission without third-party cloud servers. Encrypted sessions fully protect your data privacy Chat-Style Interaction: Drag-and-drop files, paste screenshots and send texts in real time with zero learning curve Automatic File Archiving: All transferred files are automatically categorized in a dedicated folder for one-click preview, sharing and export Full Format Compatibility: Supports all mainstream formats including PDF, Word, Excel, images, 4K videos and ZIP archives Ultra-Fast LAN Speed: Transfer speed up to 20–80MB/s. A 1GB video can be transferred in tens of seconds, far faster than Bluetooth, cloud storage and social apps Application Scenarios Office Workers: Transmit reports, whiteboard photos and documents cross-device for convenient on-the-go office work Students: Realize two-way transmission of papers and handwritten notes, completely replacing U-disks Content Creators: Transfer original iPhone HD footage to PC for lossless editing, and preview works on mobile quickly Daily Family Use: Batch back up photos without iCloud paid subscriptions, support one-click download for family computers Advantages Over Traditional Tools Compared with USB cables, Bluetooth, social apps and cloud storage, our tool requires no PC installation, has no file limits, supports automatic archiving and two-way text transmission, and adopts local encryption to balance convenience, speed and security. FAQ Is no PC software really required? Yes. Only a mainstream browser is needed, compatible with restricted office devices without administrator rights. Do iPhone and PC need the same WiFi? The same WiFi ensures optimal transmission speed. You can also enable your phone hotspot for connection if no shared network is available. Where are the transferred files saved? All files are automatically stored in the exclusive Transfer Assistant folder for preview and sharing at any time. Is the transmission secure? All transmissions are peer-to-peer without cloud uploads. Each session is independently encrypted and invalidated after closing, avoiding data leakage. Privacy Policy: https://transfer.mxcode.com/privacy.html Terms and Conditions: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

FileMate4 screens
Transfer Assistant4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ads: Transfer Assistant at none against FileMate's shown. FileMate's advantage is update cadence (every 2 weeks vs every 2 months) and iOS requirement (13.0 vs 15.6). On price, in-app purchases and device support 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 Transfer Assistant sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

FileMate ships an update every 2 weeks, Transfer Assistant every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on September 25, 2026 and September 11, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
FileMate versus Transfer Assistant: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterFileMateTransfer Assistant
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.6 (378 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews75.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings378 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 2 weeks — betterEvery 2 months
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPod
Requires iOS13.0 — better15.6
Further details — not scored
Size94 MB17 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperJUNBO JIA晖 姚

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

Transfer Assistant

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

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
3 purchases

Transfer Assistant

Subscriptions3
  • 1-Year Plan$4.991 Month
  • 1-Quarter Plan$12.993 Months
  • 1-Year Plan$39.991 Year

Questions

Is FileMate free?
FileMate is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Transfer Assistant free?
Transfer Assistant is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do FileMate or Transfer Assistant have ads?
FileMate shows ads; Transfer Assistant does not.
Which is updated more often, FileMate or Transfer Assistant?
FileMate ships an update every 2 weeks, and Transfer Assistant every 2 months. Most recently, FileMate was updated on September 25, 2026 and Transfer Assistant on September 11, 2026.

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