# File Browser

File Browser is a lightweight, self-hosted web interface for managing files within a specified directory. It is open source and self-hosted, installable on TrueNAS, Proxmox, Docker Hub, Kubernetes (Helm), ZimaOS and Unraid.

Canonical page: https://ourlocalhost.com/app/34/file-browser

## Description

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: Unraid, TrueNAS, Umbrel, ZimaOS, Proxmox, Helm.

## Health score

39/100 (Low), based on 3 of 4 factors.
- Maintained: 0 (GitHub repository no longer exists)
- Easy to install: 75 (5 install platforms, install notes, Docker image)
- Light to run: 95 (512 MB minimum RAM, runs on ARM)

## Links

- TrueNAS: https://apps.truenas.com/catalog/filebrowser/
- Proxmox: https://community-scripts.github.io/ProxmoxVE/scripts?id=filebrowser
- Docker Hub: https://hub.docker.com/r/filebrowser/filebrowser
- GitHub: https://github.com/binhex/arch-filebrowser
- Kubernetes (Helm): https://artifacthub.io/packages/helm/utkuozdemir/filebrowser
- ZimaOS: https://github.com/bigbeartechworld/big-bear-casaos/tree/master/Apps/filebrowser
- Unraid: https://ca.unraid.net/apps/filebrowser-0r1iuf40og2pi4?q=filebrowser

## 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.

## Alternatives

- 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.

---
Source: Our Local Host (https://ourlocalhost.com/app/34/file-browser), the self-hosted and open-source app directory.