Best iPad File Managers

This is by far the best free file manager on the iPad. Documents by Readdle features a very clean user-interface that allows you to easily navigate through various sections of the app. It includes a side-bar with self-explanatory sections such as Documents, iCloud, Network, and Browser. You can connect to services like Dropbox, Google Drive, Sugar Sync, Box, Office 365, SkyDrive, and CloudMe. The app has support for a variety of file types, and includes a PDF reader that allows you to highlight text. You can upload your document to supported cloud services and manage your files on the services from within the app. You can also sync all of your documents in the app via iCloud. There are a number of settings that allow you to greatly tweak the user experience. This is probably my favorite file manager on the iPad for now.

This is a must-have app for power users. While the app’s interface can be confusing to master at first, iStorage HD includes an incredible feature set that really makes it stand out. The app includes a built-in web browser, photo editor, and bookmark browser. There are three different ways you can view your documents, including iTunes’ famous cover flow. The app includes support for all major cloud services including Dropbox and Sky Drive. You can also browse two different folders at the same time by dividing your screen which can be handy at times. The app also lets you customize how it sorts files. You can access the documents within the app using iTunes or via Wi-Fi. You can also choose between the iStorage HD’s custom PDF reader or the default iOS one. I would definitely recommend this app because of its fantastic feature set and user interface. It may be a little pricey, but if you’re a power user, this one is worth it.

This app has many of the same features that some of the more expensive apps have and works on your iPhone and your iPad. The app includes a document viewer, a text editor, an audio recorder, a Wi- Fi drive, and some great management and sharing features. The app will mount onto your computer as a server that you can drag and drop files on and off of your iPad. This app can also share files over Bluetooth and Wi- Fi as well as email files directly out of the app. The app also integrates with tons of online services. These include Google Docs, Box.net, Dropbox, Flickr, Picasa, Facebook, and any WebDAV server. The app can move, copy, rename, delete or create new folders on your iPad. The interface for iFiles is very usable and easy to understand. This app has become an essential iPad file management app through the combo of a great price, feature set, and interface.

File Manager Pro is an all-in-one solution to all of your file managing needs. The app offers integration with popular cloud services like Dropbox, Box.com, SkyDrive, Google Drive, and more. You can connect to your FTP servers with the app as well. Once connected to a cloud service, the app creates a new section where you can access all files on the connected service. You can also upload and download files on to your device from the cloud services. File Manager Pro includes support for a wide variety of file formats and can also zip (and unzip) files. You can access all of your files via a Wi-Fi connection to your iPad or through iTunes file management. File Manager Pro also lets you password protect your documents. Overall, this may be a comprehensive app but it does have a steep price tag.

This app shares a lot of File Manager Pro’s features. File Manager Premium offers the exact same cloud integration as File Manager Pro and allows access to your files in the app via iTunes File Management or Wi-Fi. The biggest difference between File Manager Pro and this app is the user interface. This app features tabs which you can tap to browse through different sections. There’s a tab for connected cloud services, favorite folders, files in the app, current downloads, and settings. This really is just a matter of preference. File Manager Premium, however, also has a free version in the App Store, which you can download. The only difference in the premium version is that it’s ad-free. If you don’t mind the ads, then this app will save you some bucks and offer tons of features. You can find the link to the free version below.

For me, Files App has one of the best user-interfaces out of the lot. The app offers a very simple and intuitive UI, which is quite similar to that of your iPad’s home screen. The folders are designed exactly the same way and expand with the files you have in the app. You can choose to have a large thumbnail view of all the documents in the app or a plain list. Furthermore, you can drag and drop files and folders in the app to organize your documents. The app offers integration with Box, Dropbox, and Google Drive. Files App also includes a fantastic document reader that lets you browse through PDF files effectively. However, the app does lack a built-in web browser and Sky Drive support which prevent it from standing out despite the creative interface design.