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.
Not the right match-up?
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 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | ★ 3,048 | ★ 5,959 |
| First released | 2019 | 2016 |
| Replaces | Google Drive, Dropbox | Google Drive |
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 (3k 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.