Top 10 best file explorers for iOS and Android - 2020

Here are the best file explorer apps and file manager apps for Android.

Amaze File Manager

Amaze File Manager is a fairly recent and quite good app. It is open source and is suitable for those who just need to do some light file browsing. It features SMB file sharing, a built-in application manager for uninstalling applications and an explorer. It is free with optional in-app purchases in case you want to help fund the development.

Astro File Manager

Astro is one of the older file management apps for Android that, with its ups and downs, has always been an interesting choice. It includes SD card support, cloud storage support, file compression, app management and file extraction support (ZIP and RAR). It also has a very attractive and simple user interface. It is completely free with no ads.

Cx File Explorer

Cx File Explorer is a good file browser. It has a relatively modern user interface, all the basics and support for many cloud storage services and shared storage servers (FTP, SMB, etc.). It also includes a pretty good application manager. It's not the most powerful, but it is among the best free file browsers without in-app purchases or ads.

FX File Manager

FX File Explorer is a file manager that has all the usual features, including functions for your media and files, support for multiple windows, support for network storage like FTP, and even support for encrypted files. You even have a text editor and it works with less popular formats like GZip, Bzip2 and 7zip. Best of all, it has no ads and doesn't track your devices.

MiXplorer Silver

MiXplorer Silver is a file manager with a very extensive feature list. It brings the usual stuff like file-to-file browsing, archive support, cloud storage support and an HTML viewer. Also included is support for EPub, MobiPlacket and PDF reader, as well as file encryption. There are also a bunch of plugins that add even more functionality as needed. For example, if you need more file support and less PDF support, you can get the file plugin and skip the PDF plugin. The app doesn't have a free version, so be sure to try it out before the refund time runs out to make sure you like it.

MK Explorer

MK Explorer is another option for managing files. It is a simple option only valid if you really want something simple. It has the basic file management options (copy, paste, delete, SD card support for Lollipop 5.0+), and root access. There's also support for 20 languages and it has a built-in text editor, gallery, and music player. Its last update was in 2016.

Root Explorer

Root Explorer is not the most modern application, but it is updated frequently. Those updates bring a new interface, more options and better performance. With Root Explorer, you'll have full root access so you can do whatever you want. This includes fun tools like a binary XML APK viewer, the ability to change the owner or group of a file, MD5 support, and more. There is a free version simply called Explorer.

Solid Explorer

Solid Explorer has been growing in popularity over time. It has a nice design, cloud support, root access, FTP, SFTP, WebDav, SMB, and CIFS support, file compression and Chromecast support. You can try it for free for a couple of weeks. After that period of time, it costs $1.99. One of the best on this list.

Total Commander

Total Commander is one of the most powerful and highly rated file management applications. It has just about any feature you could want, including network storage support, cloud storage support, plugin support, bookmarks and other tools such as a text editor. It is becoming a favorite of many, even if the design is not very up-to-date. It is completely free with no in-app purchases or advertising.

X-plore File Manager

X-Plore File Manager is one of the most unique options on the list. It's a dual-pane application, which means you'll be managing two windows at once almost all the time. It's great if you're copying/pasting between folders or if you need to move files quickly. It also comes with support for various file types, cloud storage, network storage (FTP, SMB, DLNA/UPnP), a built-in hex editor, root support and many other features. You can even view APK files in zip format. Although old, it's a really good application.