SHSelfHostIndex

elFinder vs WebDAV Server Go

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?
EL elFinder Web file manager with a desktop-style interface VS WE WebDAV Server Go Lightweight standalone WebDAV file server
FeatureelFinderWebDAV Server Go
Deploy effortRead-the-docs projectUnder-an-hour setup
Health score87 · Excellent90 · Excellent
CategoryFile Sync & StorageFile Sync & Storage
LicenseBSD-3-ClauseMIT
LanguageJavaScriptGo
Setup difficultyMediumEasy
Min. RAM128 MB64 MB
Deploymentbare-metaldocker, binary
GitHub stars★ 4,804★ 5,877
First released20102017
ReplacesGoogle Drive, DropboxDropbox

What are elFinder and WebDAV Server Go?

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

WebDAV Server Go

A lightweight standalone WebDAV server that exposes a directory tree for syncing with WebDAV-capable clients. It is useful as a minimal sync backend for many file managers and apps.

  • Standalone WebDAV
  • Per-user permissions
  • Minimal backend
  • Cross-platform clients

elFinder vs WebDAV Server Go: key differences

ElFinder is written in JavaScript, while WebDAV Server Go is built with Go. Licensing differs — BSD-3-Clause for elFinder versus MIT for WebDAV Server Go. WebDAV Server Go 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 WebDAV Server Go arrived in 2017. WebDAV Server Go lists first-class Docker deployment; elFinder does not.

Why pick each one

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
elFinder details

Choose WebDAV Server Go if…

  • Released under the MIT license
  • Easy to set up — beginner-friendly
  • First-class Docker support for quick deployment
  • Mature project with 5.9k GitHub stars
WebDAV Server Go details

Frequently asked questions

Is elFinder or WebDAV Server Go better?

WebDAV Server Go 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 elFinder and WebDAV Server Go free and open-source?

Yes. elFinder is licensed under BSD-3-Clause and WebDAV Server Go under MIT. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.

Can I run elFinder and WebDAV Server Go with Docker?

elFinder: check the project docs for container support. WebDAV Server Go: yes.

Which is lighter on resources, elFinder or WebDAV Server Go?

WebDAV Server Go 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.

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