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File Browser

File Browser is a lightweight, self-hosted web interface for managing files within a specified directory.

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File Browser is a lightweight, self-hosted web interface for managing files within a specified directory. It lets you upload, delete, preview, rename and edit files from any browser, and supports multiple users, each with their own directories, permissions and rules. It's a good fit for homelab users who want a simple shared file area without a full cloud storage stack.

Platform availability

Available on 6 of 6 install platforms

Also on Docker Hub and GitHub

Health score

39/100 Low

Maintained
0GitHub repository no longer exists
Popular
No data
Easy to install
755 install platforms, install notes, Docker image
Light to run
95512 MB minimum RAM, runs on ARM

Based on 3 of 4 factors.

How is this calculated?

A 0-100 score computed nightly from four factors: maintained (40%: recent commits and steady activity), popular (25%: GitHub stars, log scale), easy to install (20%: platforms, install notes, setup guides, Docker image) and light to run (15%: minimum RAM, ARM support). Factors without data are left out and the rest are rescaled.

Availability: platform listings confirmed today, links checked 8 days ago

No GitHub repository data collected yet.

Checked 8 days ago - source: GitHub (BigBearTechWorld/filebrowser)

Resources & Compatibility

Minimum requirements: 512 MB RAM, 10 GB disk. ARM (e.g. Raspberry Pi) is supported.

Checked 7 days ago - source: Docker Hub image tags and published docs

First-install notes

  • Set a stable root path with -r Start File Browser with -r set to an absolute folder such as /srv/files, and keep that path stable in your config. If the path is missing or points to the wrong directory, the app shows no files or exposes files you never intended. source
  • Configure the web port and address Set port to the web port you expose and address to the interface you want to bind, such as 0.0.0.0 for direct local-network access. If the port is blocked or address stays local-only, other devices on your network cannot open the File Browser interface. source
  • Keep the config/database file persistent Store File Browser's config/database file on a persistent volume so users, shares, and settings survive container restarts or rebuilds. If it is lost, your admin account and all shared files are forgotten and you must start over. source
  • First launch and credentials On first launch, check the container logs for the randomly generated admin password, sign in with the default user admin, and change the password immediately. The template project was archived on 2026-09-01 and no longer receives releases, bug fixes or security updates. source

Fetched today - each note links to its source

Alternatives (7)

  • FileApp - FileApp reads many files types such as PDF, Microsoft Office documents, Open Documents and plays multimedia contents.
  • FileBrowser Quantum - The best free self-hosted web-based file manager.
  • FileRise - FileRise is a lightweight, secure web file manager with uploads, tagging, share links, gallery/table views, and an in-browser editor.
  • Filestash - A modern web client for SFTP, S3, FTP, WebDAV, Git, Minio, LDAP, CalDAV, CardDAV, Mysql, Backblaze, ...
  • GoodReader - With GoodReader on your iPhone, iPod Touch or iPad, you can read virtually anything, anywhere.
  • copyparty - Portable file server with accelerated resumable uploads, dedup, WebDAV, FTP, TFTP, zeroconf, media indexer, thumbnails++ all in one file
  • h5ai - h5ai · a modern HTTP web server index for Apache httpd, lighttpd, nginx and Cherokee.

Checked 5 days ago - source: AlternativeTo

Common questions

What root path setting should I keep stable in File Browser?

Start File Browser with -r set to an absolute folder such as /srv/files and keep that path stable in your config. If the path is missing or points to the wrong directory, the app may show no files or expose files you never intended.

Which settings control local-network access to the File Browser web UI?

Set port to the web port you expose and address to the interface you want to bind, such as 0.0.0.0 for direct local-network access. If the port is blocked or address stays local-only, other devices on your network cannot open the File Browser interface.

Do I need to persist File Browser’s configuration database in Docker?

Store File Browser’s config/database file on a persistent volume so users, shares, and settings survive container restarts or rebuilds. If it is lost, your admin account and all shared files are forgotten and you must start over.

Can I test File Browser by running its executable directly?

A user in a config-trouble thread describes downloading the File Browser executable, running it, and getting it mostly working. This shows a direct executable run can be a practical way to start a local setup.

Answers sourced from github.com, github.com, github.com, www.reddit.com

Community

Collected 2 days ago - public community threads