While ES File Explorer was removed from the Play Store last year, it seems many users still sideload it from various APK forums. But now the Indian government has officially banned this popular file manager app along with other 59 Chinese apps. If you care about your privacy then you should not use ES File Explorer anymore. And that’s why we bring you the 8 best ES File Explorer alternatives that are packed to the brim with features.
Here, we have enlisted the best replacements to ES File Explorer. You can click on the links and move to the corresponding file manager easily. Rest assured, none of the apps mentioned here have Chinese roots. With that in mind, let’s begin the article.
1. Solid Explorer
Solid Explorer is not as popular as ES File Explorer but it certainly is a worthy alternative to it. Coming from ES’s complicated interface, you will love the easy to use and beautiful Material Design UI on Solid.
If you want a simple file manager without any fuss then Files by Google would be my top recommendation in place of ES File Explorer. It started as a lightweight file manager for Android Go, but Google soon added new features making it a feature-rich file manager for all Android devices.
Similar to ES File Explorer, you can clean up the storage from unnecessary files and junks in just a few taps. And the best part is that you also get a “Share” feature that allows you to seamlessly transfer files and folders to other Android devices. In a way, it acts as an incredible ShareIt alternative as well.
Install: Files by Google (Free)
MiXplorer is one of the few file managers on Android that has features loaded to the brim. In fact, it has so many features that it can even overwhelm those who have been using ES File Explorer for years. First of all, MiXplorer has a modern user interface which is just great with a bottom-bar panel. You can create tabs and multitask with new files and folders.
I would say, if you want a true alternative to ES File Explorer then MiXplorer is the one you should get. Keep in mind, MiXplorer is a paid-only app, but you can get it for free through XDA Labs.
4. FX File Explorer
Another great ES File Explorer alternative is the popular FX File Explorer. The file manager app is very similar to ES, both in terms of looks and features. Firstly, the UI is decent with slight touches of Material Design and one thing we like is the ability to increase/decrease the size of folder previews through pinch to zoom.
File Commander is a very feature-rich file manager app, which makes it a viable ES File Explorer alternative. It brings usual features like file categorization, cloud sync support, network file sharing, USB OTG support, file compression along with some cool advanced features.
Total Commander is one of the oldest file managers on Android and it comes with no ads or bloatware which makes it a suitable alternative to ES File Explorer. And the best part is that Total Commander is completely free which is amazing.
Sure, the user interface looks slightly dated, but you get a reliable file manager that can handle anything and everything you throw at it. You can open ZIP and RAR files, drag and drop files, change read-write permissions of folders, and much more.
Install: Total Commander (Free)
Let me say this in the very beginning, X-plore File Manager is not for everyone. If you were using ES File Explorer for accessing the root directory then I would recommend X-plore as an alternative. I know it has a dated UI, but it brings the tree-view which is very popular among geeks for moving back and forth between root directories.
Other than that, X-plore brings some unique features which are not even available on ES File Explorer. For example, you have Batch Rename, Subtitles support for videos, Vault for encrypting files, and more. All in all, X-plore File Manager is an advanced file manager and a powerful alternative to ES File Explorer.
ASTRO File Manager is a very popular file manager with more than 50 million downloads on the Play Store. It has a modern and clean user interface and serves no ads which make it an easy recommendation in place of ES File Explorer. However, I have some reservations against recommending this app wholeheartedly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Which File Manager is Better than ES File Explorer?
If you are talking about paid apps then I would pick Solid Explorer over ES File Explorer any day. And if you want something for free then MiXplorer would be a great pick.
ES File Explorer has been banned by the Indian government on grounds of privacy violation. The broad allegation is that ES File Explorer is sending private data to Chinese servers, compromising the privacy of Indian users.
In 2019, Google removed ES File Explorer from the Play Store because it was involved in a click fraud scandal. Basically, ES File Explorer was clicking ads in users’ apps in the background without permission. And now, the Indian government has banned the app officially on grounds of privacy violation.
You should uninstall ES File Explorer right away if you value your privacy. There are ample alternatives to ES Files Explorer that offer a similar level of features without compromising your security.
No. ES File Explorer has been embroiled in many controversies in the past few years. Google suspended the app from the Play Store last year, and now the Indian government has banned the app in the country.
