Tiny File Manager vs elFinder
A side-by-side comparison of two self-hosted file sync & storage options — licensing, setup difficulty, resource needs, and what each one replaces.
| Feature | Tiny File Manager | elFinder |
|---|---|---|
| Deploy effort | Under-an-hour setup | Read-the-docs project |
| Health score | 69 · Good | 87 · Excellent |
| Category | File Sync & Storage | File Sync & Storage |
| License | GPL-3.0 | BSD-3-Clause |
| Language | PHP | JavaScript |
| Setup difficulty | Easy | Medium |
| Min. RAM | 64 MB | 128 MB |
| Deployment | bare-metal, docker | bare-metal |
| GitHub stars | ★ 5,978 | ★ 4,804 |
| First released | 2016 | 2010 |
| Replaces | Google Drive | Google Drive, Dropbox |
What are Tiny File Manager and elFinder?
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
elFinder
elFinder is an open-source web file manager with a user interface inspired by the macOS Finder. It supports multiple storage backends, drag and drop, and image editing.
- macOS Finder-style UI
- Multiple storage backends
- Built-in image editor
Tiny File Manager vs elFinder: key differences
Tiny File Manager is written in PHP, while elFinder is built with JavaScript. Licensing differs — GPL-3.0 for Tiny File Manager versus BSD-3-Clause for elFinder. Tiny File Manager is the lighter option, starting around 64 MB of RAM against 128 MB for elFinder. ElFinder is the more established project (first released 2010), while Tiny File Manager arrived in 2016. Tiny File Manager lists first-class Docker deployment; elFinder does not.
Why pick each one
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
Choose elFinder if…
- Released under the BSD-3-Clause license
- Active community (4.8k GitHub stars)
- Written in JavaScript
- Tiny footprint — runs in 128 MB RAM
Frequently asked questions
Is Tiny File Manager or elFinder better?
Tiny File Manager is the stronger all-round pick: it has both the larger community and the simpler easy setup. Consider elFinder if its specific feature set fits your needs better.
Are Tiny File Manager and elFinder free and open-source?
Yes. Tiny File Manager is licensed under GPL-3.0 and elFinder under BSD-3-Clause. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run Tiny File Manager and elFinder with Docker?
Tiny File Manager: yes. elFinder: check the project docs for container support.
Which is lighter on resources, Tiny File Manager or elFinder?
Tiny File Manager has the smaller minimum footprint at 64 MB of RAM, compared to about 128 MB for elFinder. Real-world usage depends on library size, user count, and enabled features.