[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":951},["ShallowReactive",2],{"\u002Fcompare\u002Fmaterial-files":3,"\u002Fcompare":708},{"id":4,"title":5,"body":6,"description":664,"extension":665,"meta":666,"navigation":703,"path":704,"seo":705,"stem":706,"__hash__":707},"comparisons\u002Fcompare\u002Fmaterial-files.md","Material Files vs AnExplorer — Open Source vs Full-Featured Compared",{"type":7,"value":8,"toc":651},"minimark",[9,14,18,25,31,34,38,378,382,388,394,400,406,412,416,422,428,434,440,446,452,458,462,530,533,537,540,546,552,558,564,568,571,585,588,592,595,613,616,620],[10,11,13],"h2",{"id":12},"material-files-vs-anexplorer-two-philosophies","Material Files vs AnExplorer — Two Philosophies",[15,16,17],"p",{},"Material Files and AnExplorer represent two different approaches to Android file management:",[15,19,20,24],{},[21,22,23],"strong",{},"Material Files"," follows the Unix philosophy: do one thing well. It's a clean, fast, open-source local file manager with beautiful Material You design. No cloud, no NAS client, no TV app — just excellent local file browsing with FTP\u002FSFTP server capabilities.",[15,26,27,30],{},[21,28,29],{},"AnExplorer"," follows the Swiss Army knife philosophy: one app for everything. Local files, NAS, cloud, archives, wireless transfer, and support across 12 Android form factors. More features, more complexity, closed-source but with local-only transfer.",[15,32,33],{},"Neither is objectively \"better\" — they serve different users with different priorities.",[10,35,37],{"id":36},"feature-comparison","Feature Comparison",[39,40,41,59],"table",{},[42,43,44],"thead",{},[45,46,47,51,53,56],"tr",{},[48,49,50],"th",{},"Feature",[48,52,23],{},[48,54,55],{},"AnExplorer (Free)",[48,57,58],{},"AnExplorer (Pro)",[60,61,62,79,94,108,123,138,152,165,178,191,204,219,232,245,259,272,285,298,311,324,339,352,365],"tbody",{},[45,63,64,70,73,76],{},[65,66,67],"td",{},[21,68,69],{},"Price",[65,71,72],{},"Free (open-source)",[65,74,75],{},"Free",[65,77,78],{},"$29.99 lifetime",[45,80,81,86,89,92],{},[65,82,83],{},[21,84,85],{},"Source code",[65,87,88],{},"✅ Open (Apache 2.0)",[65,90,91],{},"❌ Closed",[65,93,91],{},[45,95,96,101,104,106],{},[65,97,98],{},[21,99,100],{},"Local file management",[65,102,103],{},"✅ Excellent",[65,105,103],{},[65,107,103],{},[45,109,110,115,118,121],{},[65,111,112],{},[21,113,114],{},"Material You design",[65,116,117],{},"✅ Full",[65,119,120],{},"✅ Partial",[65,122,120],{},[45,124,125,130,133,136],{},[65,126,127],{},[21,128,129],{},"Root access",[65,131,132],{},"✅",[65,134,135],{},"❌",[65,137,132],{},[45,139,140,145,148,150],{},[65,141,142],{},[21,143,144],{},"FTP\u002FSFTP server",[65,146,147],{},"✅ (phone as server)",[65,149,135],{},[65,151,135],{},[45,153,154,159,161,163],{},[65,155,156],{},[21,157,158],{},"SMB client (connect TO NAS)",[65,160,135],{},[65,162,132],{},[65,164,132],{},[45,166,167,172,174,176],{},[65,168,169],{},[21,170,171],{},"FTP\u002FSFTP client",[65,173,135],{},[65,175,132],{},[65,177,132],{},[45,179,180,185,187,189],{},[65,181,182],{},[21,183,184],{},"WebDAV client",[65,186,135],{},[65,188,132],{},[65,190,132],{},[45,192,193,198,200,202],{},[65,194,195],{},[21,196,197],{},"Cloud storage (7 services)",[65,199,135],{},[65,201,135],{},[65,203,132],{},[45,205,206,211,214,217],{},[65,207,208],{},[21,209,210],{},"Wireless PC transfer",[65,212,213],{},"✅ (FTP server mode)",[65,215,216],{},"✅ (Device Connect)",[65,218,132],{},[45,220,221,226,228,230],{},[65,222,223],{},[21,224,225],{},"Create ZIP",[65,227,132],{},[65,229,132],{},[65,231,132],{},[45,233,234,239,241,243],{},[65,235,236],{},[21,237,238],{},"Create 7z",[65,240,135],{},[65,242,132],{},[65,244,132],{},[45,246,247,252,255,257],{},[65,248,249],{},[21,250,251],{},"Extract RAR\u002F7z\u002FISO",[65,253,254],{},"❌ (ZIP\u002FTAR only)",[65,256,132],{},[65,258,132],{},[45,260,261,266,268,270],{},[65,262,263],{},[21,264,265],{},"Android TV app",[65,267,135],{},[65,269,132],{},[65,271,132],{},[45,273,274,279,281,283],{},[65,275,276],{},[21,277,278],{},"Wear OS app",[65,280,135],{},[65,282,132],{},[65,284,132],{},[45,286,287,292,294,296],{},[65,288,289],{},[21,290,291],{},"VR headset app",[65,293,135],{},[65,295,132],{},[65,297,132],{},[45,299,300,305,307,309],{},[65,301,302],{},[21,303,304],{},"Chromebook optimized",[65,306,135],{},[65,308,132],{},[65,310,132],{},[45,312,313,318,320,322],{},[65,314,315],{},[21,316,317],{},"PDF viewer",[65,319,135],{},[65,321,132],{},[65,323,132],{},[45,325,326,331,334,337],{},[65,327,328],{},[21,329,330],{},"Photo viewer",[65,332,333],{},"Basic",[65,335,336],{},"✅ Built-in",[65,338,132],{},[45,340,341,346,348,350],{},[65,342,343],{},[21,344,345],{},"Music player",[65,347,135],{},[65,349,336],{},[65,351,132],{},[45,353,354,359,361,363],{},[65,355,356],{},[21,357,358],{},"APK installer (split)",[65,360,135],{},[65,362,132],{},[65,364,132],{},[45,366,367,372,374,376],{},[65,368,369],{},[21,370,371],{},"Memory cleaner",[65,373,135],{},[65,375,132],{},[65,377,132],{},[10,379,381],{"id":380},"when-material-files-is-the-better-choice","When Material Files Is the Better Choice",[15,383,384,387],{},[21,385,386],{},"You prioritize open-source software:","\nMaterial Files is fully open-source under Apache 2.0. The code is on GitHub, auditable by anyone. If you only use open-source software for privacy\u002Fsecurity reasons, Material Files is the clear choice for local file management.",[15,389,390,393],{},[21,391,392],{},"You only need local file management:","\nIf you never connect to a NAS, don't use cloud storage through a file manager, and don't need to manage files on a TV or watch — Material Files does local browsing beautifully with less complexity.",[15,395,396,399],{},[21,397,398],{},"You want the cleanest Material You design:","\nMaterial Files is one of the best-designed Android apps, period. It follows Google's Material You guidelines perfectly — dynamic colors, smooth animations, consistent spacing. It feels like a first-party Google app.",[15,401,402,405],{},[21,403,404],{},"You want to run an FTP\u002FSFTP server on your phone:","\nMaterial Files can turn your phone into an FTP or SFTP server — other devices connect TO your phone. This is different from AnExplorer's Device Connect (HTTP-based) but serves a similar purpose for users who prefer FTP protocol.",[15,407,408,411],{},[21,409,410],{},"You want root access for free:","\nMaterial Files includes root file browsing in the free version. AnExplorer requires Pro ($29.99) for root access.",[10,413,415],{"id":414},"when-anexplorer-is-the-better-choice","When AnExplorer Is the Better Choice",[15,417,418,421],{},[21,419,420],{},"You need NAS\u002Fnetwork storage access:","\nAnExplorer connects TO external servers as a client — SMB for NAS, FTP\u002FSFTP for remote servers, WebDAV for Nextcloud. Material Files can only act as a server (others connect to it), not as a client (it connecting to others).",[15,423,424,427],{},[21,425,426],{},"You need cloud storage management:","\nAnExplorer manages 7 cloud services (Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive, MEGA, Box, pCloud, Yandex Disk) as file systems. Material Files has no cloud capability.",[15,429,430,433],{},[21,431,432],{},"You use multiple Android devices:","\nAnExplorer works on phone, tablet, Android TV, Wear OS watch, VR headset, Chromebook, Android Auto, and more — 12 form factors. Material Files is phone\u002Ftablet only.",[15,435,436,439],{},[21,437,438],{},"You need comprehensive archive support:","\nAnExplorer opens RAR, RAR5, 7z, TAR, ISO, CBR, CBZ and creates ZIP + 7z. Material Files only handles ZIP and TAR.",[15,441,442,445],{},[21,443,444],{},"You want built-in media viewers:","\nAnExplorer includes PDF viewer, image gallery, video player, and music player. Material Files relies on external apps for media viewing.",[15,447,448,451],{},[21,449,450],{},"You need wireless PC transfer without FTP knowledge:","\nAnExplorer's Device Connect is simpler — start it, type the address in a browser, done. Material Files' FTP server requires the user to know how to connect an FTP client (FileZilla, etc.) on the PC side.",[15,453,454,457],{},[21,455,456],{},"You want APK management:","\nAnExplorer installs split APK bundles (APKS, APKM, XAPK) and backs up installed apps. Material Files doesn't handle these.",[10,459,461],{"id":460},"privacy-comparison","Privacy Comparison",[39,463,464,475],{},[42,465,466],{},[45,467,468,471,473],{},[48,469,470],{},"Aspect",[48,472,23],{},[48,474,29],{},[60,476,477,487,498,509,520],{},[45,478,479,481,484],{},[65,480,85],{},[65,482,483],{},"Open (auditable)",[65,485,486],{},"Closed",[45,488,489,492,495],{},[65,490,491],{},"Network transfer",[65,493,494],{},"FTP\u002FSFTP (local)",[65,496,497],{},"HTTP (local, Device Connect)",[45,499,500,503,506],{},[65,501,502],{},"Cloud servers involved",[65,504,505],{},"None",[65,507,508],{},"None (Device Connect is local)",[45,510,511,514,517],{},[65,512,513],{},"Data collection",[65,515,516],{},"None (open-source verified)",[65,518,519],{},"Minimal (crash reports)",[45,521,522,525,527],{},[65,523,524],{},"Ads",[65,526,505],{},[65,528,529],{},"Minimal in free tier (none in Pro)",[15,531,532],{},"Both apps keep file transfers local. Neither routes your files through external servers. The key difference is auditability — Material Files' code is public, so you can verify its privacy claims. AnExplorer's code is closed, but its Device Connect feature is demonstrably local (you can verify with network monitoring).",[10,534,536],{"id":535},"performance-comparison","Performance Comparison",[15,538,539],{},"Both apps are fast for local file operations. Differences emerge in specific scenarios:",[15,541,542,545],{},[21,543,544],{},"Large folder browsing (10,000+ files):","\nBoth handle this well. Material Files may feel slightly snappier due to its simpler UI with fewer features loaded.",[15,547,548,551],{},[21,549,550],{},"Archive operations:","\nAnExplorer supports more formats and creates 7z (better compression). Material Files is limited to ZIP\u002FTAR.",[15,553,554,557],{},[21,555,556],{},"Network operations:","\nOnly AnExplorer can connect to NAS\u002Fcloud — no comparison possible. Material Files' FTP server mode is fast for incoming connections.",[15,559,560,563],{},[21,561,562],{},"Memory usage:","\nMaterial Files uses less RAM (simpler app, fewer features). AnExplorer uses more RAM but provides more functionality.",[10,565,567],{"id":566},"can-you-use-both","Can You Use Both?",[15,569,570],{},"Yes. Many users install both:",[572,573,574,580],"ul",{},[575,576,577,579],"li",{},[21,578,23],{}," for daily local file browsing (clean, fast, beautiful)",[575,581,582,584],{},[21,583,29],{}," for NAS access, cloud management, TV\u002Fwatch file management, and archive operations",[15,586,587],{},"They don't conflict. Set whichever you prefer as the default file manager.",[10,589,591],{"id":590},"switching-from-material-files-to-anexplorer","Switching from Material Files to AnExplorer",[15,593,594],{},"If you currently use Material Files and need features it doesn't have:",[596,597,598,601,604,607,610],"ol",{},[575,599,600],{},"Install AnExplorer from Play Store (Material Files stays installed)",[575,602,603],{},"For NAS access: AnExplorer → Network → SMB → add your NAS",[575,605,606],{},"For cloud: AnExplorer → Cloud → add your services",[575,608,609],{},"For TV\u002Fwatch: Install AnExplorer on those devices from Play Store",[575,611,612],{},"Optionally set AnExplorer as default: Settings → Apps → Default apps → File Manager",[15,614,615],{},"You can keep Material Files for quick local browsing and use AnExplorer when you need network, cloud, or multi-device features.",[10,617,619],{"id":618},"related-guides","Related Guides",[572,621,622,630,637,644],{},[575,623,624,629],{},[625,626,628],"a",{"href":627},"\u002Fcompare\u002Ffiles-by-google","AnExplorer vs Files by Google"," — Google's default compared",[575,631,632,636],{},[625,633,635],{"href":634},"\u002Fcompare\u002Fsolid-explorer","AnExplorer vs Solid Explorer"," — another paid file manager",[575,638,639,643],{},[625,640,642],{"href":641},"\u002Fcompare\u002Fmixplorer","AnExplorer vs MiXplorer"," — XDA community favorite",[575,645,646,650],{},[625,647,649],{"href":648},"\u002Fcompare\u002Fbest-android-file-manager","Best Android File Manager"," — full roundup",{"title":652,"searchDepth":653,"depth":653,"links":654},"",2,[655,656,657,658,659,660,661,662,663],{"id":12,"depth":653,"text":13},{"id":36,"depth":653,"text":37},{"id":380,"depth":653,"text":381},{"id":414,"depth":653,"text":415},{"id":460,"depth":653,"text":461},{"id":535,"depth":653,"text":536},{"id":566,"depth":653,"text":567},{"id":590,"depth":653,"text":591},{"id":618,"depth":653,"text":619},"Compare Material Files and AnExplorer for Android file management. Open-source simplicity vs comprehensive features — NAS, cloud, TV, watch, and archive support.","md",{"faq":667,"howto":686},[668,671,674,677,680,683],{"q":669,"a":670},"What is Material Files?","Material Files is a free, open-source Android file manager with Material You design. It focuses on clean local file management with FTP\u002FSFTP server capabilities. It's popular among privacy-conscious users and open-source advocates.",{"q":672,"a":673},"Is Material Files better than AnExplorer?","Material Files is better if you want a minimal, open-source, privacy-focused local file manager. AnExplorer is better if you need NAS access, cloud storage, Android TV\u002Fwatch\u002FVR support, archive creation, or wireless PC transfer.",{"q":675,"a":676},"Does Material Files support NAS (SMB)?","Material Files has basic SFTP\u002FFTP server mode (your phone becomes a server) but cannot connect TO external SMB\u002FNAS shares as a client. AnExplorer connects to NAS as a client via SMB, FTP, SFTP, and WebDAV.",{"q":678,"a":679},"Does Material Files work on Android TV?","No. Material Files is phone\u002Ftablet only. AnExplorer works on Android TV, Wear OS, VR headsets, Chromebook, and 12 form factors total.",{"q":681,"a":682},"Is Material Files really free?","Yes — completely free and open-source (Apache 2.0 license). No ads, no premium tier, no in-app purchases. AnExplorer has a free tier with core features and a Pro tier ($29.99 lifetime) for cloud, network, and root.",{"q":684,"a":685},"Can Material Files create ZIP archives?","Material Files can create ZIP and TAR archives. AnExplorer creates ZIP and 7z, and extracts ZIP, RAR, RAR5, 7z, TAR, ISO, CBR, and CBZ.",{"name":687,"description":688,"totalTime":689,"steps":690},"How to Choose Between Material Files and AnExplorer","Decide which file manager fits your needs based on features and priorities.","PT2M",[691,694,697,700],{"name":692,"text":693},"Assess your needs","Do you need NAS access, cloud storage, or multi-device support? If yes → AnExplorer. If you only need clean local file management → Material Files may suffice.",{"name":695,"text":696},"Consider privacy priority","Material Files is fully open-source (auditable code). AnExplorer is closed-source but Device Connect is local-only (no external servers).",{"name":698,"text":699},"Check device coverage","Need file management on TV, watch, or VR? Only AnExplorer supports these. Material Files is phone\u002Ftablet only.",{"name":701,"text":702},"Try both","Both are free to try. Install Material Files for local management and AnExplorer for network\u002Fcloud\u002Fmulti-device needs. They can coexist.",true,"\u002Fcompare\u002Fmaterial-files",{"title":5,"description":664},"compare\u002Fmaterial-files","4mEjdsH-mpxXMsPoKvkIGOZkFTJao0hm_vJPErJJIsE",{"id":709,"title":710,"body":711,"description":935,"extension":665,"meta":936,"navigation":703,"path":947,"seo":948,"stem":949,"__hash__":950},"content\u002Fcompare.md","Best Android File Manager Comparisons & Alternatives",{"type":7,"value":712,"toc":930},[713,716,720,813,817,880,884,891,894],[15,714,715],{},"Choosing a file manager for Android means comparing features that matter for your specific use case: network protocols, device support, archive handling, root access, and price.",[10,717,719],{"id":718},"head-to-head-comparisons","Head-to-Head Comparisons",[572,721,722,729,734,741,746,753,760,767,774,781,786,793,800,807],{},[575,723,724,728],{},[625,725,727],{"href":726},"\u002Fcompare\u002Fes-file-explorer","AnExplorer vs ES File Explorer"," — why ES was removed from Play Store in 2019 (ad fraud, DO Global violation)",[575,730,731,733],{},[625,732,635],{"href":634}," — paid vs free, dual-pane, Google Drive",[575,735,736,740],{},[625,737,739],{"href":738},"\u002Fcompare\u002Fx-plore-file-manager","AnExplorer vs X-plore File Manager"," — tree-style UI, TV mode, FTP\u002FSMB\u002FWebDAV",[575,742,743,745],{},[625,744,642],{"href":641}," — XDA community app, plugin system, dual-pane + tabs",[575,747,748,752],{},[625,749,751],{"href":750},"\u002Fcompare\u002Ffile-manager-plus","AnExplorer vs File Manager+"," — 200M+ downloads, simple UI, limited network",[575,754,755,759],{},[625,756,758],{"href":757},"\u002Fcompare\u002Ffx-file-explorer","AnExplorer vs FX File Explorer"," — free + IAP, root, Google Drive",[575,761,762,766],{},[625,763,765],{"href":764},"\u002Fcompare\u002Fcx-file-explorer","AnExplorer vs CX File Explorer"," — lightweight, SMB-only network",[575,768,769,773],{},[625,770,772],{"href":771},"\u002Fcompare\u002Ftotal-commander","AnExplorer vs Total Commander"," — Windows TC port, plugin-based features",[575,775,776,780],{},[625,777,779],{"href":778},"\u002Fcompare\u002Fmeta-quest-file-manager","AnExplorer vs Meta Quest File Manager"," — VR-native file management, sideloading on Quest",[575,782,783,785],{},[625,784,628],{"href":627}," — when you need more than Android's default file manager",[575,787,788,792],{},[625,789,791],{"href":790},"\u002Fcompare\u002Flocalsend","AnExplorer vs LocalSend"," — file transfer comparison (browser-based vs app-on-both-sides)",[575,794,795,799],{},[625,796,798],{"href":797},"\u002Fcompare\u002Fairdroid","AnExplorer vs AirDroid"," — wireless transfer and remote access compared (privacy, speed, cost)",[575,801,802,806],{},[625,803,805],{"href":804},"\u002Fcompare\u002Fquick-share","Quick Share vs AnExplorer"," — Google's built-in sharing vs Device Connect (coverage, speed, compatibility)",[575,808,809,812],{},[625,810,811],{"href":704},"Material Files vs AnExplorer"," — open-source simplicity vs full-featured file management",[10,814,816],{"id":815},"best-file-manager-by-device-type","Best File Manager by Device Type",[572,818,819,824,831,838,845,852,859,866,873],{},[575,820,821,823],{},[625,822,649],{"href":648}," — overall comparison for phones",[575,825,826,830],{},[625,827,829],{"href":828},"\u002Fcompare\u002Fbest-android-tablet-file-manager","Best Android Tablet File Manager"," — Galaxy Tab, Fire tablet, Lenovo",[575,832,833,837],{},[625,834,836],{"href":835},"\u002Fcompare\u002Fbest-foldable-file-manager","Best File Manager for Foldable"," — Galaxy Z Fold, Pixel Fold",[575,839,840,844],{},[625,841,843],{"href":842},"\u002Fcompare\u002Fbest-android-tv-file-manager","Best Android TV File Manager"," — Fire TV, Nvidia Shield, Google TV",[575,846,847,851],{},[625,848,850],{"href":849},"\u002Fcompare\u002Fbest-file-manager-for-chromebook","Best File Manager for Chromebook"," — ChromeOS, Pixelbook",[575,853,854,858],{},[625,855,857],{"href":856},"\u002Fcompare\u002Fbest-free-file-manager-android","Best Free File Manager for Android"," — free options compared (with and without ads)",[575,860,861,865],{},[625,862,864],{"href":863},"\u002Fcompare\u002Fbest-wear-os-file-manager","Best Wear OS File Manager"," — Galaxy Watch, Pixel Watch, TicWatch",[575,867,868,872],{},[625,869,871],{"href":870},"\u002Fcompare\u002Fbest-vr-headset-file-manager","Best VR Headset File Manager"," — Meta Quest, Pico 4, Vive XR",[575,874,875,879],{},[625,876,878],{"href":877},"\u002Fcompare\u002Fbest-android-automotive-file-manager","Best Android Automotive File Manager"," — Polestar, Volvo, Honda, BYD",[10,881,883],{"id":882},"why-anexplorer-stands-out","Why AnExplorer Stands Out",[15,885,886,887,890],{},"AnExplorer is the only file manager with support across all major Android form factors — ",[21,888,889],{},"phone, tablet, foldable, TV, Wear OS watch, Chromebook, VR headset, AR glasses, Android Auto, and Android Automotive",". Most competitors are phone-only.",[15,892,893],{},"Key feature differences that matter in comparisons:",[572,895,896,904,924,927],{},[575,897,898,899,903],{},"Built-in server mode: ",[625,900,902],{"href":901},"\u002Fnetwork\u002Flocal-server","Device Connect"," (HTTP server — browse phone from any browser)",[575,905,906,907,911,912,911,916,911,920],{},"Network clients: ",[625,908,910],{"href":909},"\u002Fnetwork\u002Fftp","FTP",", ",[625,913,915],{"href":914},"\u002Fnetwork\u002Fsftp","SFTP",[625,917,919],{"href":918},"\u002Fnetwork\u002Fsmb","SMB",[625,921,923],{"href":922},"\u002Fnetwork\u002Fwebdav","WebDAV",[575,925,926],{},"APK bundle formats: APKM, APKS, XAPK — not supported by most competitors",[575,928,929],{},"Archive formats: ZIP, RAR, RAR5, 7z, TAR, TAR.GZ, ISO, CBR, CBZ",{"title":652,"searchDepth":653,"depth":653,"links":931},[932,933,934],{"id":718,"depth":653,"text":719},{"id":815,"depth":653,"text":816},{"id":882,"depth":653,"text":883},"Compare AnExplorer with ES File Explorer, Solid Explorer, FX, MiXplorer, CX, Total Commander, and more. Plus best-of roundups for TV, Wear OS, Chromebook, tablet, foldable, VR, and car.",{"faq":937},[938,941,944],{"q":939,"a":940},"Is AnExplorer a good alternative to ES File Explorer?","ES File Explorer was removed from Google Play in 2019 by Google due to ad fraud violations by its owner DO Global. AnExplorer contains no background data collection, remains actively updated, and is available on all Android form factors.",{"q":942,"a":943},"Is AnExplorer free?","AnExplorer is free to download with no mandatory subscription. A Pro upgrade unlocks root access, additional cloud accounts, and advanced features. There are no intrusive ads in the core app.",{"q":945,"a":946},"Does AnExplorer support more device types than other file managers?","Yes. AnExplorer is the only file manager with dedicated support for phones, tablets, foldables, Android TV, Wear OS watches, Chromebook, VR headsets, AR glasses, Android Auto, and Android Automotive.","\u002Fcompare",{"title":710,"description":935},"compare","pD3LroInwJKDgfuawYYsxSZV3LwXq_OjzB_yXzZozcI",1781531865188]