Cloudreve vs Tiny File Manager
A side-by-side comparison of two self-hosted file sync & storage options — licensing, setup difficulty, resource needs, and what each one replaces.
Cloudreve
File management and sharing system, supports multiple storage
VS
Tiny File Manager
Single-file PHP file manager and browser
| Feature | Cloudreve | Tiny File Manager |
|---|---|---|
| Deploy effort | Under-an-hour setup | Under-an-hour setup |
| Health score | 97 · Excellent | 69 · Good |
| Category | File Sync & Storage | File Sync & Storage |
| License | GPL-3.0 | GPL-3.0 |
| Language | Go | PHP |
| Setup difficulty | Medium | Easy |
| Min. RAM | 512 MB | 64 MB |
| Deployment | docker | bare-metal, docker |
| GitHub stars | ★ 28,741 | ★ 5,976 |
| First released | None | 2016 |
| Replaces | Google Drive | Google Drive |
What are Cloudreve and Tiny File Manager?
Cloudreve
Cloudreve is a file management and sharing system with a polished web UI that supports local, S3, OneDrive and other storage backends. It targets users who want a personal cloud drive with sharing links. It is deployed via a single Go binary or Docker.
- Multiple storage backends
- Shareable links with passwords
- WebDAV access
- Multi-user with quotas
Tiny File Manager
Tiny File Manager is a web-based file manager contained in a single PHP file. It provides multi-user support, file editing, archive handling, and a clean responsive interface.
- Single-file deployment
- Built-in code editor
- Multi-user access control
Cloudreve vs Tiny File Manager: key differences
Cloudreve is written in Go, while Tiny File Manager is built with PHP. Tiny File Manager is the lighter option, starting around 64 MB of RAM against 512 MB for Cloudreve. Cloudreve has the considerably larger community, at 28,741 GitHub stars versus 5,976.
Why pick each one
Choose Cloudreve if…
- Multiple storage backends
- Single Go binary
- Polished web interface
Watch out for
- Docs partly in Chinese
- Some features Pro-only
Choose Tiny File Manager if…
- Released under the GPL-3.0 license
- Easy to set up — beginner-friendly
- First-class Docker support for quick deployment
- Mature project with 6k GitHub stars
Frequently asked questions
Is Cloudreve or Tiny File Manager better?
Neither is universally better. Cloudreve has the larger community, while Tiny File Manager is simpler to set up (easy difficulty). Choose based on the comparison table above and your own setup.
Are Cloudreve and Tiny File Manager free and open-source?
Yes. Cloudreve is licensed under GPL-3.0 and Tiny File Manager under GPL-3.0. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run Cloudreve and Tiny File Manager with Docker?
Cloudreve: yes. Tiny File Manager: yes.
Which is lighter on resources, Cloudreve or Tiny File Manager?
Tiny File Manager has the smaller minimum footprint at 64 MB of RAM, compared to about 512 MB for Cloudreve. Real-world usage depends on library size, user count, and enabled features.