Verithiathe honest score on any app
Updated July 2026 · real, multi-region App Store reviews
Head-to-head

Documents vs File Manager & Browser

Documents 4.8★ · Free to download 75
Winner Documents
File Manager & Browser 4.5★ · Free to download · ⚠ stale 30

Documents is the superior choice for comprehensive file management and media playback, despite its recent shift to a subscription model, while File Manager & Browser struggles with basic functionality and appears to be unmaintained.

Full reviews: Documents · File Manager & Browser

Documents offers a wide range of features for file management, PDF editing, and media playback, though recent changes have moved some features behind a subscription. File Manager & Browser, on the other hand, is plagued by bugs, an outdated interface, and concerns about its security and maintenance.

Head to head

Features & Functionality edge: DocumentsR3R5R6R8
Documents Documents is praised for its ability to download and listen to music, organize files, and provide PDF tools, with users calling it 'revolutionary' and 'legendary' R5R8. It also offers features like saving links and interacting with them like files R6. However, some users report issues with PDF reader crashes for heavy files R3, a non-working search function R22R34, and videos not playing R28. Recent updates have also removed features like AirDrop and the ability to add hyperlinks without a subscription .
File Manager & Browser File Manager & Browser users report significant issues with core functionality, such as being unable to download forms , files not showing content after download , and an inability to move files . The app struggles with opening password-protected PDFs and renaming files . Some users also note that it feels outdated, doesn't integrate with the iOS Files app, and only supports basic file extensions .
Ease of Use & Reliability edge: DocumentsR3R8R10R12
Documents Documents is generally found to be convenient and easy to operate R8. However, some users find it hard to save or find files R12 and report issues with the app crashing, particularly when playing music or for heavy PDFs R3. There are also reports of lost data, such as an entire PDF form not saving or files being deleted after updates R10R38.
File Manager & Browser File Manager & Browser is criticized for being difficult to use and not intuitive, with users asking for directions on how to start or perform basic actions like deleting files or renaming them . Many users report that the app is buggy, crashes frequently , and is too slow . There are also reports of files not being accessible or loading properly .
Price & Value tieR1R7R20R25
Documents Documents is free to download, but many users express frustration over undisclosed monthly subscription fees after a 7-day free trial R1R7. Long-time users are particularly upset that features they previously paid for or had access to are now behind a paywall R25R36. Some users find the subscription overpriced , while others still find value in the free version R20.
File Manager & Browser File Manager & Browser is also free to download, but users report a similar bait-and-switch tactic, stating that the app requires credit card information or announces a subscription after a short free trial, despite being advertised as free R70R97. Some users are unwilling to pay for an app that feels outdated and lacks basic free features .
Support & Updates edge: DocumentsR6R9R17R22
Documents Documents has active development, with users noting new features like saving links R6 and seasonal app icons R17. However, recent updates have also caused issues, such as files becoming inaccessible R9, videos not playing R28, and the search function breaking R22R34. Some users report intrusive pop-ups after updates R24 and a poor first-time user experience .
File Manager & Browser File Manager & Browser appears to be poorly maintained, with one user noting its last update was 5 years ago . Users report broken support links and an outdated website . The app struggles to function on newer devices like the iPhone 13 Pro Max and has not addressed long-standing bugs like crashing when moving files or issues with password-protected documents .
Security & Privacy edge: DocumentsR9R10R38R57
Documents One user raises a direct question about the security of documents and protection against hacking R57. No other reviews directly address security concerns, but some users report files being deleted R10R38 or inaccessible after updates R9, which could be perceived as a security or reliability issue.
File Manager & Browser File Manager & Browser faces severe accusations of being malware or spyware, with users claiming it was remotely downloaded for stalking and surveillance, accessing iCloud and carrier clouds, and being impossible to remove . These are serious allegations that suggest a significant lack of trust in the app's security and ethical practices.
Pick Documents if

Pick Documents if you need a feature-rich file manager with strong PDF tools, media playback capabilities, and are willing to pay a subscription for advanced features, or if you can manage with its robust free tier R5.

Pick File Manager & Browser if

Pick File Manager & Browser if you are looking for a very basic file organizer and are not concerned about outdated features, potential bugs, or serious security allegations, and you are hoping to use it without paying .

Evidence note: Evidence for File Manager & Browser is thin and heavily skewed negative, with many reviews being one-star and expressing severe dissatisfaction or security concerns. Documents has a much larger volume of reviews, offering a more balanced view, though recent negative reviews highlight issues with its subscription model and update stability.

Frequently asked

Are these apps truly free?
Both Documents and File Manager & Browser are free to download, but many users report that both apps quickly push for a monthly subscription after a short free trial, despite initial descriptions implying they are free or offer optional add-ons R1R7R70R97.
Can I play music and videos with these apps?
Documents is highly praised for its ability to download and listen to music and is considered a good video player, with some users preferring it over Apple's native Files app R5R24R30. However, some users have recently experienced issues with videos not launching or the music player crashing R28. File Manager & Browser reviews do not indicate strong media playback capabilities, with some users reporting issues with videos not playing .
Do these apps handle PDF files well?
Documents offers 'legendary' PDF tools, but some users report bugs with heavy PDF files causing crashes, issues with search functionality, and the removal of basic PDF editing features like rotating and extracting pages behind a subscription paywall R3R25R34R36. File Manager & Browser struggles with PDF files, with users reporting an inability to open password-protected PDFs and issues with moving PDFs .

What reviewers actually said

Built only from these 120 real reviews (foreign ones translated). Superscripts jump to the quote here. Apple has no per-review links, so [ref] opens that app's reviews on the App Store.

  1. [R3] Documents 3/5 · US Bug: Bug for pdfreader heavy pdf’s, always crash and dont delete
  2. [R5] Documents 5/5 · US Great app: I have been using this app for years and with confidence I can say this app is one of the greatest apps ever made and it’s perfect for downloading and listening to music for free 10/10 app
  3. [R6] Documents 3/5 · US Saving Links … Downloading Content: The new ability to save links and intact with them like files is quite nifty. But now what’s needed is the ability to download content, particularly videos, from a link/webpage. This needs to work on the same level as Downie on Mac. Documents’ continued refinement and expansion makes it the clearest contender to be downloading videos/files/content. Documents
  4. [R8] Documents 5/5 · US So Great~: Important~ documents and files in one place ISo extremely Convenient~too .
  5. [R10] Documents 1/5 · US Intro/preferences deleted all my files: I wouldn’t trust this app anymore. They seem to prioritize adding useless things like asking me what kind of files I work with or my profession is than retaining files.
  6. [R12] Documents 3/5 · US Hard to save files: Cannot move files from recent to docs regular file
  7. [R1] Documents 1/5 · US Undisclosed Fees After First 7 Days!: Listing in AppStore said only “In-App Purchases,” implying that it’s a free app with possibly optional add-ons that would cost extra; standard model I’ve encountered in MANY APPS over years. Instead, when I opened your Documents app, I was summarily informed that I had 7 days free trial period, after which I would be charged monthly fees!! I never agreed to th
  8. [R7] Documents 1/5 · US Did not say they want to charge monthly fee: I do not know if the product works well or not. However, I did not see anything that stated it was a subscription service until after I had downloaded and installed the application. I seldom use ZIP files on my phone and that was the only reason I was looking. Disappointed they “hid the ball” when it comes to a monthly subscription fee - particularly w
  9. [R20] Documents 5/5 · US Addings: It’s a great app I am using this for long time and this would be a pleasure to us if developers add customizable color highlights to files, support flac, add cover to songs and edit songs metadata for those who use free and not in subscription. Thanks
  10. [R25] Documents 1/5 · US Legacy paid users are being squeezed for features they already had: I purchased Documents by Readdle more than 10 years ago and paid for features that were part of the app experience at the time. After years of using the app, I opened the current version. I found that basic PDF tools like rotating and extracting pages, features I previously had access to, are now being pushed behind a subscription
  11. [R9] Documents 3/5 · US Can’t access after update: I’ve had this app for eight years. It has been amazing. I save all my music on it so for it not to be working right now it’s kind of scary. It’s also a realization that I have to have more than one way to access my music.
  12. [R17] Documents 5/5 · US 5 stars: Everything works perfectly. Today, when I was feeling down, the app suggested I choose a summer icon for its display on the screen. And you know, it made me feel so much better 💛 · translated
  13. [R22] Documents 1/5 · US Search function: The search function isn't working; the loading wheel just keeps spinning.
  14. [R38] Documents 5/5 · US My account: I recently deleted this app to update this my phone I have not been able to recover my videos or files everything is gone how do I recover my Account I love this app so much
  15. [R57] Documents 3/5 · GB security?: HOW can we be Certain, that our documents are fully secure, and cannot be hacked or viewed by anyone except the user (me) ? Please Clearly Explain a clear/ easy to understand answer to this query. Thank you
  16. [R70] File Manager & Browser 1/5 · US Sorry file: Cannot activate without card information if it’s free which it says it is then no card information is needed
  17. [R97] File Manager & Browser 1/5 · US Fraud?: The very first sentence in the description is “Filemanager is free…”, but after they get you to install it, the very first thing it says is that it’s only free for 3 days, then you must subscribe. Another bait and switch scheme. also noticed no dark mode, but doesn’t matter, immediately removing.
  18. [R24] Documents 3/5 · US something changed with this app: I’ve used this app a long time as a music player instead of itunes. itunes had constant pop ups, etc, and was not usable for me. it was great for a long time. recently something has changed with this app. getting constant pop ups. full screen slide show pop ups. small pop ups that when you hit x to close instead trick you and become full screen. I depend on this ap
  19. [R28] Documents 2/5 · US New issues: Great app for many different things. But now my videos I saved in my inbox do not launch anymore. When I try to play a video a white blank page comes up and nothing works. I was working fine couple months ago. Whats the issue?
  20. [R30] Documents 3/5 · GB Best video player for iOS: The best video player on iOS, I prefer this to apples file app. But since iPad OS 26 the top part of the screen overlaps with the time date etc, anything up there is no longer clickable very easily 😭.
  21. [R34] Documents 2/5 · US Nice but there are problems with pdf viewer and annotations: There is a bug that happens after I updated the app. When I search inside a PDF file, not all results show up. Fix this ASAP please. Also the colors available to choose from in the colors palette before needing to extend it are limited. And for some reason, PC share doesn’t work. Please fix the search bug AS SOON AS POSSIBLE
  22. [R36] Documents 3/5 · GB Subscription Creep: If you need to work with individual pages of a PDF (delete, extract etc) do not update as these functions are now behind the subscription paywall. So many good apps on this store that I’d happily pay £10 to £20 for, but just how many £10pm subscriptions do you think people can afford?

Synthesized from 120 recent App Store reviews · updated July 2026 · View on the App Store