AnExplorer vs Solid Explorer
Solid Explorer (by NeatBytes) is one of the most respected paid Android file managers. It has a clean dual-pane Material Design interface, strong network protocol support, and is worth buying if you're a power user on a single phone. AnExplorer is free, covers more device types, and has unique features like Device Connect and Wear OS support.
Here's how they compare in detail.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | AnExplorer | Solid Explorer |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free (with Pro upgrade) | Paid (~$2.99, or free trial) |
| Dual-pane interface | ❌ | ✅ |
| Material Design UI | ✅ | ✅ (excellent) |
| FTP client | ✅ | ✅ |
| FTP Server (phone acts as server) | ✅ | ✅ |
| SMB / LAN share | ✅ | ✅ |
| SFTP | ✅ | ✅ |
| WebDAV | ✅ | ✅ |
| NAS (Synology, QNAP) | ✅ SMB + FTP | ✅ SMB + WebDAV |
| Cloud: Dropbox | ✅ | ✅ |
| Cloud: OneDrive | ✅ | ✅ |
| Cloud: Google Drive | 🟧 | ✅ |
| Cloud: Box | ✅ | ✅ |
| Cloud: pCloud | ✅ | ✅ |
| Archive: ZIP create/extract | ✅ | ✅ |
| Archive: RAR/RAR5 | ✅ | ✅ |
| Archive: 7z | ✅ | ✅ |
| Root file manager | ✅ | ✅ |
| APK installer (bundles) | ✅ APKM/APKS/XAPK | ✅ APK only |
| Android TV native | ✅ | ❌ |
| Wear OS native | ✅ | ❌ |
| Chromebook (Android app) | ✅ | ✅ (not optimized) |
| Meta Quest / XR | ✅ | ❌ |
| Device Connect (HTTP server) | ✅ | ❌ |
| Wi-Fi Share | ✅ | ❌ |
| WhatsApp Manager | ✅ | ❌ |
| Themes | Limited | ✅ Extensive |
| Active on Play Store since | 2011 | 2013 |
Solid Explorer Strengths
Dual-pane interface: Solid Explorer's killer feature. Side-by-side panels let you drag files between locations without constantly navigating back. Ideal for power users who move files frequently.
Visual polish: Solid Explorer has excellent Material You theming and one of the most visually refined UIs among Android file managers. If aesthetics matter to you, it edges ahead.
Google Drive: Solid Explorer supports Google Drive natively. AnExplorer does not — if Google Drive is your primary cloud, Solid Explorer has an advantage.
AnExplorer Strengths
Android TV and Fire TV: Solid Explorer has no TV app. AnExplorer is the go-to file manager for Android TV (Nvidia Shield, Fire TV Stick 4K, Google TV).
Wear OS: Solid Explorer has no watch app. AnExplorer runs directly on Wear OS 3 and 4 — Samsung Galaxy Watch, Pixel Watch, TicWatch.
Device Connect: Browse your phone's files from any PC browser \u2014 no app required on the computer side. Solid Explorer requires the other device to have an app or SMB support.
Free: AnExplorer is free. Solid Explorer costs ~$2.99 (with a free trial).
Bundle APK installer: AnExplorer installs APKM, APKS, and XAPK bundles natively. Solid Explorer only installs standard .apk files.
Who Should Choose What
Choose Solid Explorer if:
- You work with two file locations simultaneously constantly (dual-pane is worth paying for)
- You're primarily on a phone and want the best visual experience
- You use Google Drive heavily
- You appreciate premium app features
Choose AnExplorer if:
- You own multiple Android devices (phone, TV, watch, tablet)
- You need file management on Android TV or Fire TV
- You manage files from a Wear OS watch
- You want free, no-ads core functionality
- You need Device Connect for wireless browser-based access
Pricing
| App | Price | Business model |
|---|---|---|
| AnExplorer | Free + optional Pro | Freemium |
| Solid Explorer | ~$2.99 | Paid (free trial available) |