ES File Explorer, Astro File Manager or File Manager HD?

DreamWriter · 12-16-2011, 02:40 PM

I will be receiving my first Android tablet today (a 32GB Acer Iconia A500). I understand that I will need a file manager app. Which of these would be the best choice? Does one offer special features that the others don't or are they all pretty much the same?

ES File Explorer, Astro File Manager or File Manager HD?

Thanks!

nursedude · 12-16-2011, 03:16 PM

I haven't used the first two you mention but I really like File Manager HD. I use it on my Asus TF 101 and it's been a great app.

nrapallo · 12-16-2011, 03:28 PM

Of the three, I now only use ES File Explorer! It works perfect over Wifi connecting to my LAN computer/server. I haven't yet needed/tried any of the other methods of file transfer, but knowing that they are there is reassuring.

When I was first exposed to android, the Astro File Manager was THE app to use, but somehow I got more confortable with ES File Explorer.

During my first tablet exposure (ASUS TF101), it appeared that File Manager HD was the preferred app, but again, I migrated back to ES File Explorer.

The only thing I do not like about ES File Explorer, is that ALL the commands are in a menu and none can be relegated to a button (AFAIK).

Even a "redo the last command" button would be appreciated.

Since they are all free, why not install them all and try each out. Then uninstall the losers....

afv011 · 12-16-2011, 04:21 PM

Consider also AirDroid, allows you to import/export files to your tablet from your PC.

For on-device, I use ES File Explorer.

Stormchild · 12-16-2011, 05:14 PM

ES Files Explorer. It came as standard on my BeBook and I tried all the others but only use ES now. It works with Wireless and Bluetooth.

DreamWriter · 12-16-2011, 05:43 PM

Thanks so much, everyone! I may eventually try them all, but I'll probably start with the one used most often by you more experienced folks. So far, that looks like it's ES File Explorer.

RainingLemur · 12-16-2011, 06:23 PM

ES File Explorer is fantastic.

ghostyjack · 12-17-2011, 07:00 AM

I've got Ghost Commander on my Galaxy Tab at present and it's a good commander-style file manager without too much clutter on screen.

I can also recommend ES File Explorer as well. Excellent if you need access to NAS boxes and cloud storage.

simoness12 · 03-27-2012, 02:57 PM

I recommend you to take a look at this explorer file manager. You can set up your own file server for managing and sharing files through web
browser. It's like DropBox but self-hosted so that you can keep all your confidential files on your own server. The web based UI looks and feels like Windows 7 Explorer. It offers features that are not possible with a FTP server such as zipping files, downloading multiple files and folders in single download etc. It's also easier to set up and administrate than a FTP server.

VaporPunk · 03-28-2012, 01:08 AM

File Manager HD.

HansTWN · 03-28-2012, 05:05 AM

I use ES file explorer on my tablet and my phone.

Dopedangel · 03-28-2012, 05:36 AM

I prefer total commander it is still in RC and hasn't been released to the google market yet

http://www.ghisler.com/android.htm

Canuck_in_Japan · 04-04-2012, 07:47 PM

Just out of curiousity, what's wrong with the standard file explorer that comes with the Asus Transformer? Why would I want another one?

wodin · 04-05-2012, 01:55 PM

I've been using Astro since my first Android phone a few years ago, haven't found a need to look farther.

DreamWriter · 04-05-2012, 02:13 PM

I have Astro File Manager and ES File Explorer on my tablets. I'm using Astro most often. I only use it to move files around on the tablet, and it works great for my needs.

12-16-2011, 02:40 PM	#1
DreamWriter Books are brain food. Posts: 2,950 Karma: 4836916 Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: U.S. Device: Paperwhite · Fire HD6/HD8/HD10 · Galaxy Tab A7	ES File Explorer, Astro File Manager or File Manager HD? I will be receiving my first Android tablet today (a 32GB Acer Iconia A500). I understand that I will need a file manager app. Which of these would be the best choice? Does one offer special features that the others don't or are they all pretty much the same? ES File Explorer, Astro File Manager or File Manager HD? Thanks!

12-16-2011, 03:28 PM	#3
nrapallo GuteBook/Mobi2IMP Creator Posts: 2,958 Karma: 2530691 Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Toronto, Canada Device: REB1200 EBW1150 Device: T1 NSTG iLiad_v2 NC Device: Asus_TF Next1 WPDN	Of the three, I now only use ES File Explorer! It works perfect over Wifi connecting to my LAN computer/server. I haven't yet needed/tried any of the other methods of file transfer, but knowing that they are there is reassuring. When I was first exposed to android, the Astro File Manager was THE app to use, but somehow I got more confortable with ES File Explorer. During my first tablet exposure (ASUS TF101), it appeared that File Manager HD was the preferred app, but again, I migrated back to ES File Explorer. The only thing I do not like about ES File Explorer, is that ALL the commands are in a menu and none can be relegated to a button (AFAIK). Even a "redo the last command" button would be appreciated. Since they are all free, why not install them all and try each out. Then uninstall the losers.... Last edited by nrapallo; 03-28-2012 at 04:06 PM. Reason: strike out due to (great) new features now implemented!!!

12-16-2011, 05:43 PM	#6
DreamWriter Books are brain food. Posts: 2,950 Karma: 4836916 Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: U.S. Device: Paperwhite · Fire HD6/HD8/HD10 · Galaxy Tab A7	Thanks so much, everyone! I may eventually try them all, but I'll probably start with the one used most often by you more experienced folks. So far, that looks like it's ES File Explorer. Last edited by DreamWriter; 12-16-2011 at 07:35 PM.

03-27-2012, 02:57 PM	#9
simoness12 Junior Member Posts: 1 Karma: 10 Join Date: Mar 2012 Device: iphone	explorer file manager I recommend you to take a look at this explorer file manager. You can set up your own file server for managing and sharing files through web browser. It's like DropBox but self-hosted so that you can keep all your confidential files on your own server. The web based UI looks and feels like Windows 7 Explorer. It offers features that are not possible with a FTP server such as zipping files, downloading multiple files and folders in single download etc. It's also easier to set up and administrate than a FTP server.

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

12-16-2011, 03:16 PM	#2
nursedude Zealot Posts: 131 Karma: 17102 Join Date: May 2010 Location: Ontario, Canada Device: Kobo (Original), KT, iPad 1, iPhone 4S, iPad 3rd gen	I haven't used the first two you mention but I really like File Manager HD. I use it on my Asus TF 101 and it's been a great app.

12-16-2011, 04:21 PM	#4
afv011 Captain Penguin Posts: 2,963 Karma: 2079777777 Join Date: May 2009 Location: Seattle, WA Device: Kobo Clara BW, Kobo Libra 2, Nook Glowlight	Consider also AirDroid, allows you to import/export files to your tablet from your PC. For on-device, I use ES File Explorer.

12-16-2011, 05:14 PM	#5
Stormchild Evangelist Posts: 466 Karma: 878943 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Cornwall UK Device: BeBook 1. BeBook Mini. BeBook Neo and Club. BeBook Live. BeeBook Pure.	ES Files Explorer. It came as standard on my BeBook and I tried all the others but only use ES now. It works with Wireless and Bluetooth.

12-16-2011, 06:23 PM	#7
RainingLemur Spork Connoisseur Posts: 2,355 Karma: 16780603 Join Date: Mar 2011 Device: Nook Color	ES File Explorer is fantastic.

12-17-2011, 07:00 AM	#8
ghostyjack Guru Posts: 718 Karma: 1085610 Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Bristol, England Device: PRS-T1, 1825PT, Galaxy Tab, One X, TF700T, Aura HD, Nexus 7	I've got Ghost Commander on my Galaxy Tab at present and it's a good commander-style file manager without too much clutter on screen. I can also recommend ES File Explorer as well. Excellent if you need access to NAS boxes and cloud storage.

03-28-2012, 01:08 AM	#10
VaporPunk Evangelist Posts: 409 Karma: 49204386 Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Belgium Device: Kindle 4 + Asus Transformer	File Manager HD.

03-28-2012, 05:05 AM	#11
HansTWN Wizard Posts: 4,538 Karma: 264065402 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Taiwan Device: HP Touchpad, Sony Duo 13, Lumia 920, Kobo Aura HD	I use ES file explorer on my tablet and my phone.

03-28-2012, 05:36 AM	#12
Dopedangel Wizard Posts: 1,786 Karma: 30548723 Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Singapore Device: Boyue	I prefer total commander it is still in RC and hasn't been released to the google market yet http://www.ghisler.com/android.htm

04-04-2012, 07:47 PM	#13
Canuck_in_Japan Wizard Posts: 1,476 Karma: 14328611 Join Date: May 2009 Location: Tokyo, Japan Device: Aura, Aura H2O, Kindle PW3	Just out of curiousity, what's wrong with the standard file explorer that comes with the Asus Transformer? Why would I want another one?

04-05-2012, 01:55 PM	#14
wodin Illiterate Posts: 10,279 Karma: 37848716 Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: The Sandwich Isles Device: Samsung Galaxy S10+, Microsoft Surface Pro	I've been using Astro since my first Android phone a few years ago, haven't found a need to look farther.

Advert

Advert

04-05-2012, 02:13 PM	#15
DreamWriter Books are brain food. Posts: 2,950 Karma: 4836916 Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: U.S. Device: Paperwhite · Fire HD6/HD8/HD10 · Galaxy Tab A7	I have Astro File Manager and ES File Explorer on my tablets. I'm using Astro most often. I only use it to move files around on the tablet, and it works great for my needs.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
ES file manager	cypherslock	Kobo Tablets	1	11-06-2011 01:34 AM
Downloading Astro File Manager ...	friktion	Kobo Tablets	23	11-03-2011 07:41 PM
Alternative File Manager	obsessed2	enTourage eDGe	1	09-25-2011 05:16 PM
DR800 Enchanced file manager	yuri_b	iRex Developer's Corner	7	08-31-2011 09:38 AM
Android Astro File Manager	cheyennedonna	enTourage Archive	0	05-07-2010 12:24 PM