AnExplorer vs X-plore File Manager
X-plore File Manager (by Lonely Cat Games) is one of the oldest independent Android file managers still actively maintained. It's free, has a unique tree-style dual-panel UI, and stands out from most competitors by offering an Android TV version. Here's how it compares with AnExplorer across every major feature.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | AnExplorer | X-plore |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free (Pro upgrade) | Free (donate version available) |
| UI style | Flat, modern | Tree-style dual-pane (unique) |
| FTP client | ✅ | ✅ |
| FTP Server (built into phone) | ✅ | ✅ |
| SMB / LAN share | ✅ | ✅ |
| SFTP | ✅ | ✅ |
| WebDAV | ✅ | ✅ |
| FTPS | ✅ | ❌ |
| NAS support | ✅ | ✅ SMB / WebDAV |
| Root file manager | ✅ | ✅ |
| ZIP extract/create | ✅ | ✅ |
| RAR/RAR5 | ✅ | ✅ |
| 7z | ✅ | ✅ |
| TAR, ISO, CBR, CBZ | ✅ | ❌ |
| APK installer (bundles) | ✅ APKM/APKS/XAPK | ✅ APK only |
| Cloud: Dropbox | ✅ | ✅ |
| Cloud: OneDrive | ✅ | ✅ |
| Cloud: Box | ✅ | ❌ |
| Cloud: pCloud | ✅ | ❌ |
| Cloud: Google Drive | 🟧 | ✅ |
| Android TV native | ✅ | ✅ (active TV version) |
| Wear OS | ✅ | ❌ |
| Meta Quest / XR | ✅ | ❌ |
| Device Connect (HTTP browser) | ✅ | ❌ |
| Wi-Fi Share (offline) | ✅ | ❌ |
| WhatsApp Manager | ✅ | ❌ |
| Text editor | ✅ | ✅ |
| Image viewer | ✅ | ✅ |
| PDF viewer | ✅ | ❌ |
| Play Store available | ✅ | ✅ |
| Active development | ✅ | ✅ |
X-plore's Tree Interface — What Makes it Unique
X-plore's dual-tree layout shows two directory trees side by side. Both panels stay fully navigable at all times \u2014 you can expand sub-folders in one tree while browsing another in the second panel. This is different from most dual-pane file managers that show two flat lists.
If you're the kind of user who digs several folders deep regularly (e.g., managing a NAS folder hierarchy or digging into Android system directories), X-plore's tree view makes those operations more transparent.
Both Have Android TV — What's Different
X-plore is one of the few file managers that genuinely supports Android TV with a remote-navigable interface. AnExplorer also has a full Android TV version (tested on Nvidia Shield, Fire TV Stick 4K, Google TV devices). The difference:
| AnExplorer | X-plore | |
|---|---|---|
| Android TV UI | ✅ D-pad/remote native | ✅ D-pad/remote native |
| Wear OS | ✅ | ❌ |
| XR (Meta Quest, Pico 4, Galaxy XR) | ✅ | ❌ |
| Device Connect (any browser) | ✅ | ❌ |
| APKM/APKS/XAPK sideloading | ✅ | ❌ |
On the TV specifically, X-plore and AnExplorer are both capable. AnExplorer extends further into the rest of the Android device ecosystem.
Archive Format Support
X-plore handles ZIP, RAR, and 7z. AnExplorer adds:
- TAR / TAR.GZ / TAR.BZ2 / TAR.XZ — for Linux and server backups
- ISO — disc images, emulator ROMs
- CBR / CBZ — comic book archives (RAR and ZIP with renamed extension)
This matters most if you download from GitHub, manage Linux backups, or have comic/manga libraries.
Who Should Choose What
Choose X-plore if:
- You prefer a tree-view dual-pane layout over a flat modern UI
- You primarily browse complex nested folder structures
- You want Google Drive support
- You only use phone and/or Android TV (no watch or XR)
Choose AnExplorer if:
- You use Wear OS, XR, or both alongside your phone and TV
- You need Device Connect for wireless PC browser access
- You handle TAR, ISO, CBR, or CBZ archives
- You install APKM, APKS, or XAPK bundle files
Pricing
Both apps are free. X-plore has a donate-ware "donate" version that removes a nag screen. AnExplorer has an optional Pro upgrade for advanced features.