FileGator 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.
FileGator
Multi-user file manager with role-based access
VS
Tiny File Manager
Single-file PHP file manager and browser
| Feature | FileGator | Tiny File Manager |
|---|---|---|
| Deploy effort | Under-an-hour setup | Under-an-hour setup |
| Health score | 87 · Excellent | 69 · Good |
| Category | File Sync & Storage | File Sync & Storage |
| License | MIT | GPL-3.0 |
| Language | PHP | PHP |
| Setup difficulty | Easy | Easy |
| Min. RAM | 128 MB | 64 MB |
| Deployment | docker, bare-metal | bare-metal, docker |
| GitHub stars | ★ 3,078 | ★ 5,978 |
| First released | 2019 | 2016 |
| Replaces | Google Drive, Dropbox | Google Drive |
What are FileGator and Tiny File Manager?
FileGator
FileGator is a self-hosted multi-user file manager supporting various storage adapters such as local disk, FTP, and Amazon S3. It offers role-based permissions and a modern interface.
- Multiple storage adapters
- Role-based permissions
- Zip and unzip support
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
FileGator vs Tiny File Manager: key differences
Both projects are written in PHP. Licensing differs — MIT for FileGator versus GPL-3.0 for Tiny File Manager. Tiny File Manager is the lighter option, starting around 64 MB of RAM against 128 MB for FileGator. Tiny File Manager is the more established project (first released 2016), while FileGator arrived in 2019.
Why pick each one
Choose FileGator if…
- Released under the MIT license
- Easy to set up — beginner-friendly
- First-class Docker support for quick deployment
- Active community (3.1k 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 FileGator or Tiny File Manager better?
Neither is universally better. Tiny File Manager has the larger community; both share a easy setup difficulty, so the decision comes down to features and licensing.
Are FileGator and Tiny File Manager free and open-source?
Yes. FileGator is licensed under MIT and Tiny File Manager under GPL-3.0. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run FileGator and Tiny File Manager with Docker?
FileGator: yes. Tiny File Manager: yes.
Which is lighter on resources, FileGator or Tiny File Manager?
Tiny File Manager has the smaller minimum footprint at 64 MB of RAM, compared to about 128 MB for FileGator. Real-world usage depends on library size, user count, and enabled features.