AnExplorer vs File Manager+
File Manager+ (by HiApps) is one of the most downloaded simple file managers on the Play Store — over 200 million downloads. Its appeal is simplicity: clean interface, fast local browsing, good image previews, and easy enough for non-technical users. AnExplorer serves a different need — power users who want network protocols, multi-device support, and advanced archive handling.
What File Manager+ Does Well
- Clean, intuitive UI — Easy for first-time users or people who just want to browse their Downloads folder
- Fast local browsing — Responsive even on low-end phones
- Good storage analyser — Shows what's taking up space by category (images, videos, apps, etc.)
- Easy file sharing — Share files to other apps quickly
- Built-in cleaner — Scans for junk files, temp files, and empty folders
- Large user base — 200M+ downloads, frequently updated
What File Manager+ Lacks
| Feature | AnExplorer | File Manager+ |
|---|---|---|
| FTP client | ✅ | ❌ |
| FTP Server (phone as server) | ✅ | ❌ |
| SMB / LAN share | ✅ | ❌ |
| SFTP | ✅ | ❌ |
| WebDAV | ✅ | ❌ |
| NAS (Synology, QNAP) | ✅ | ❌ |
| Root file manager | ✅ | ❌ |
| ZIP extract/create | ✅ | ✅ (basic) |
| RAR / RAR5 | ✅ | ❌ |
| 7z | ✅ | ❌ |
| TAR / ISO / CBR / CBZ | ✅ | ❌ |
| APK installer (bundles) | ✅ APKM/APKS/XAPK | ❌ |
| Cloud: Dropbox | ✅ | ✅ |
| Cloud: OneDrive | ✅ | ✅ |
| Cloud: Google Drive | 🟧 | ✅ |
| Android TV | ✅ | ❌ |
| Wear OS | ✅ | ❌ |
| Meta Quest / XR | ✅ | ❌ |
| Device Connect (HTTP browser) | ✅ | ❌ |
| Wi-Fi Share | ✅ | ❌ |
| WhatsApp Manager | ✅ | ❌ |
| Text editor | ✅ | ❌ |
| PDF viewer | ✅ | ❌ |
When File Manager+ Is the Right Choice
File Manager+ makes sense if you:
- Mostly need to find, open, and share local files (photos, documents, downloaded APKs)
- Don't need to connect to a NAS, FTP server, PC shares, or remote storage
- Prefer a very low-friction, minimal-setup experience
- Need basic ZIP extraction and nothing more
When to Use AnExplorer Instead
AnExplorer replaces File Manager+ the moment you need:
Network access: Browse a Synology NAS, connect to an office SMB share, or transfer files from a PC — File Manager+ can't do any of this. AnExplorer supports FTP, FTPS, SFTP, SMB, WebDAV out of the box.
Android TV / Fire TV: File Manager+ has no Android TV app. AnExplorer is the primary option for managing files directly on a TV.
Wear OS / Watch: If you have a Samsung Galaxy Watch or Pixel Watch and want to manage files on it, AnExplorer is available on Wear OS. File Manager+ is not.
Archive formats: If someone sends you a .rar archive, .7z backup, or a .cbr comic book, AnExplorer opens these. File Manager+ handles ZIP only.
Root access: Accessing /system, /data, or other protected directories requires root file manager support. AnExplorer has this; File Manager+ does not.
Storage & Space Analysis — Both Have It
Both apps include a storage analyser. File Manager+'s analyser is slightly more polished visually. AnExplorer's analyser provides similar breakdown by category. For most users the difference is minor.
Verdict
| User Type | Best Choice |
|---|---|
| Casual user, just browses local files | File Manager+ |
| User with NAS or home server | AnExplorer |
| Android TV owner | AnExplorer |
| Wear OS user | AnExplorer |
| Needs RAR/7z/TAR archives | AnExplorer |
| Transfers between phone and PC wirelessly | AnExplorer |
| Needs root access | AnExplorer |