Dufs 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.
| Feature | Dufs | Tiny File Manager |
|---|---|---|
| Deploy effort | Under-an-hour setup | Under-an-hour setup |
| Health score | 86 · Excellent | 69 · Good |
| Category | File Sync & Storage | File Sync & Storage |
| License | Apache-2.0 | GPL-3.0 |
| Language | Rust | PHP |
| Setup difficulty | Easy | Easy |
| Min. RAM | 32 MB | 64 MB |
| Deployment | docker, binary | bare-metal, docker |
| GitHub stars | ★ 10,778 | ★ 5,978 |
| First released | 2022 | 2016 |
| Replaces | Dropbox, Google Drive | Google Drive |
What are Dufs and Tiny File Manager?
Dufs
Dufs is a lightweight single-binary file server that supports static serving, uploading, searching, and WebDAV. It offers access control, resumable uploads, and a clean web UI.
- Single-binary file server
- WebDAV support
- Access control and resumable uploads
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
Dufs vs Tiny File Manager: key differences
Dufs is written in Rust, while Tiny File Manager is built with PHP. Licensing differs — Apache-2.0 for Dufs versus GPL-3.0 for Tiny File Manager. Dufs is the lighter option, starting around 32 MB of RAM against 64 MB for Tiny File Manager. Tiny File Manager is the more established project (first released 2016), while Dufs arrived in 2022.
Why pick each one
Choose Dufs if…
- Released under the Apache-2.0 license
- Easy to set up — beginner-friendly
- First-class Docker support for quick deployment
- Mature project with 10.8k GitHub stars
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 Dufs or Tiny File Manager better?
Neither is universally better. Dufs has the larger community; both share a easy setup difficulty, so the decision comes down to features and licensing.
Are Dufs and Tiny File Manager free and open-source?
Yes. Dufs is licensed under Apache-2.0 and Tiny File Manager under GPL-3.0. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run Dufs and Tiny File Manager with Docker?
Dufs: yes. Tiny File Manager: yes.
Which is lighter on resources, Dufs or Tiny File Manager?
Dufs has the smaller minimum footprint at 32 MB of RAM, compared to about 64 MB for Tiny File Manager. Real-world usage depends on library size, user count, and enabled features.