CryptPad 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.
CryptPad
End-to-end encrypted collaboration suite
VS
Tiny File Manager
Single-file PHP file manager and browser
| Feature | CryptPad | Tiny File Manager |
|---|---|---|
| Deploy effort | Under-an-hour setup | Under-an-hour setup |
| Health score | 91 · Excellent | 69 · Good |
| Category | File Sync & Storage | File Sync & Storage |
| License | AGPL-3.0 | GPL-3.0 |
| Language | JavaScript | PHP |
| Setup difficulty | Medium | Easy |
| Min. RAM | 512 MB | 64 MB |
| Deployment | docker, bare-metal | bare-metal, docker |
| GitHub stars | ★ 7,953 | ★ 5,978 |
| First released | 2015 | 2016 |
| Replaces | Google Drive, Microsoft 365 | Google Drive |
What are CryptPad and Tiny File Manager?
CryptPad
CryptPad is an end-to-end encrypted collaboration suite with documents, spreadsheets, and a personal drive, where the server cannot read user data. It suits privacy-focused individuals and teams. It is deployed via Docker or a Node.js installation.
- Zero-knowledge end-to-end encryption
- Real-time collaborative editing
- Documents, sheets and forms
- Personal encrypted drive
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
CryptPad vs Tiny File Manager: key differences
CryptPad is written in JavaScript, while Tiny File Manager is built with PHP. Licensing differs — AGPL-3.0 for CryptPad versus GPL-3.0 for Tiny File Manager. Tiny File Manager is the lighter option, starting around 64 MB of RAM against 512 MB for CryptPad.
Why pick each one
Choose CryptPad if…
- Strong privacy guarantees
- Real-time collaboration
- No account needed to start
Watch out for
- Encryption limits server-side search
- Heavier client than plain editors
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 CryptPad or Tiny File Manager better?
Neither is universally better. CryptPad 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 CryptPad and Tiny File Manager free and open-source?
Yes. CryptPad is licensed under AGPL-3.0 and Tiny File Manager under GPL-3.0. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run CryptPad and Tiny File Manager with Docker?
CryptPad: yes. Tiny File Manager: yes.
Which is lighter on resources, CryptPad or Tiny File Manager?
Tiny File Manager has the smaller minimum footprint at 64 MB of RAM, compared to about 512 MB for CryptPad. Real-world usage depends on library size, user count, and enabled features.