SHAREit vs Files by Google vs Samsung Smart Switch Mobile: which file-sharing app should you choose?
Choose SHAREit for broad cross-platform sharing, Files by Google for cleanup and everyday file handling, or Smart Switch for moving data to a Samsung phone.
At a Glance
| App | Google Play rating | Price | In-app purchases | Platforms | Age Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4.3 out of 518,244,855 ratings | Free | Yes ($0.19 - $7.99 per item) | Android, iOS | Everyone | |
| 4.5 out of 59,008,039 ratings | Free | No | Android, iOS | Everyone | |
| 3.9 out of 5522,510 ratings | Free | No | Android, iOS | Everyone |
Ratings, prices and age ratings come from the Google Play listings, read on Nov 11, 2026. Listings change over time.
How We Compared Them
All three apps help move or manage files on mobile devices, but their main jobs differ. SHAREit focuses on sharing files across platforms, Files by Google combines offline sharing with storage cleanup and organization, and Smart Switch is designed to transfer data between devices, particularly when setting up a Samsung phone.
This comparison weighs their features, trade-offs, Google Play ratings, install counts, pricing and ad status so you can choose the one that fits your task.
How we compared them
We compared each app’s stated purpose and features with its Google Play rating, install count, price, in-app purchases and ad status. We also considered the practical trade-offs identified for each app, such as connectivity, permissions and device compatibility.
The Google Play figures were read on November 11, 2026. No data-safety declarations were supplied for comparison, so this guide does not assess data-safety labels.
Best forsharing large files across Android and iOS
SHAREit: Transfer, Share Files
Smart Media4U Technology Pte.Ltd.
- Google Play
- 4.3 out of 5
- Price
- Free
- Platforms
- Android, iOS
- Age Rating
- Everyone
SHAREit is the most focused option here for sending large files and games between platforms. It supports transfers without internet, and its media-management tools give it more range than a transfer-only utility. Google Play shows a 4.3 rating from 18,244,855 ratings and 1,000,000,000+ installs.
The trade-off is a more cluttered experience: the app contains ads, can prompt frequent updates and may have connection issues. It is free, with in-app purchases from $0.19 to $7.99 per item, and its large size may be a drawback.
What We Like
- Cross-platform sharing between Android and iOS
- Offline transfers for large files and games
- Media management included
What to Know
- Contains intrusive ads and frequent update prompts
- Connection issues and large app size can be drawbacks
Best fororganizing storage and sharing files offline
Files by Google
Google LLC
- Google Play
- 4.5 out of 5
- Price
- Free
- Platforms
- Android, iOS
- Age Rating
- Everyone
Files by Google is the strongest all-round file utility of the three for finding files, organizing them and freeing phone storage. It also supports quick offline sharing, while its 4.5 Google Play rating from 9,008,039 ratings is the highest of this group. It is free and has no in-app purchases or ads.
It is less suited to advanced file management or cloud-based workflows than a dedicated solution might be. Its cloud integration and customization options are limited, and older devices may occasionally lag.
What We Like
- Storage cleanup is built in
- Offline file sharing alongside file organization
- No ads or in-app purchases
What to Know
- Limited cloud integration and customization
- Lacks advanced file-management features
Best formoving data when switching to a Samsung phone
Samsung Smart Switch Mobile
Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
- Google Play
- 3.9 out of 5
- Price
- Free
- Platforms
- Android, iOS
- Age Rating
- Everyone
Smart Switch is the clearest choice for transferring data between devices, especially when moving to a Samsung phone. It supports a wide range of file types, offers Wi-Fi Direct transfers and works across multiple platforms. Google Play shows 1,000,000,000+ installs.
Its purpose is narrower than Files by Google’s everyday cleanup and organization tools or SHAREit’s general file sharing. Both devices need the app, some transfers may require a cable, and older-device support and connectivity can be limiting. Its Google Play rating is 3.9 from 522,510 ratings.
What We Like
- Designed for transferring data between devices
- Supports a wide range of file types
- Wi-Fi Direct transfer option
What to Know
- Both devices need the app; some transfers may need a cable
- Older-device support and connectivity can be limiting
Which One Should You Pick?

Best for cross-platform file sharing
SHAREit: Transfer, Share Files

Best for storage cleanup
Files by Google

Best for switching to Samsung
Samsung Smart Switch Mobile
Frequently Asked Questions
01Which app is best for sending files offline?
All three support offline or direct transfers, but SHAREit and Files by Google are the more general options for sharing files. Smart Switch is oriented toward transferring data between devices.
02Which app can help free up phone storage?
Files by Google includes a storage cleanup tool, making it the clearest choice for finding files and freeing space.
03Which app should I use when moving to a Samsung phone?
Samsung Smart Switch is designed to transfer data between devices and is the most directly suited to a move involving a Samsung phone.
04Which of these apps contains ads?
SHAREit contains ads. Files by Google and Samsung Smart Switch Mobile are marked as containing no ads on Google Play.
About This Comparison
Appwesome compares apps independently. We don't make, own or distribute any of these apps and have no affiliation with their developers, Google or Apple. Names, icons and trademarks belong to their owners; store details are shown for reference and can change.