File Browser vs Pydio Cells Sync

A side-by-side comparison of two self-hosted file sync & storage options — licensing, setup difficulty, resource needs, and what each one replaces.

Not the right match-up?
FeatureFile BrowserPydio Cells Sync
CategoryFile Sync & StorageFile Sync & Storage
LicenseApache-2.0AGPL-3.0
LanguageGoC
Setup difficultyEasyMedium
Min. RAM64 MB128 MB
Deploymentdocker, binarybare-metal, binary
GitHub stars★ 35,800★ 44
First released20172019
ReplacesDropboxDropbox, OneDrive

Why pick each one

Choose File Browser if…

  • Extremely lightweight
  • Trivial to deploy
  • Good for quick file access
File Browser details

Choose Pydio Cells Sync if…

  • Tight Cells integration
  • Cross-platform desktop app
Pydio Cells Sync details

Frequently asked questions

Is File Browser or Pydio Cells Sync better?

File Browser is the stronger all-round pick: it has both the larger community and the simpler easy setup. Consider Pydio Cells Sync if its specific feature set fits your needs better.

Are File Browser and Pydio Cells Sync free and open-source?

Yes. File Browser is licensed under Apache-2.0 and Pydio Cells Sync under AGPL-3.0. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.

Can I run File Browser and Pydio Cells Sync with Docker?

File Browser: yes. Pydio Cells Sync: check the project docs for container support.

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