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ZFile

Self-hosted web file manager that puts many storage backends (S3, OneDrive, FTP and more) behind one browsable

GitHub Download 5.0.5
Stars
10.9k
Forks
2k
Licence
MIT
Language
Java
Last update
4 days ago
Type
App

What it is

ZFile is a web-based cloud drive program for individuals and small teams. It connects to several existing storage services, such as S3, OneDrive, Google Drive, and local or FTP storage, and lets you browse, preview, and share files from one place. You run it on your own server, and it is available in Chinese-language documentation.

  • Browse files from S3, OneDrive, or a local folder through one web interface
  • Preview images, video, audio, PDFs, Office files, and 3D OBJ files in the browser
  • Generate a direct link or a short link with an expiry time to share a file
  • Create separate user accounts and assign each user a storage source or directory

Great for

  • Individuals or small teams who already have files spread across several cloud storage services
  • People who want to share direct download links or short links with expiring validity
  • Users who want to give different people access to specific storage sources or folders
  • Anyone deploying with Docker or Docker Compose on AMD64 or ARM64 servers

Not ideal for

  • People who want a hosted service with no server to maintain, since the README describes self-hosting
  • Users who need the rate-limited download and file-type restriction features, which the README marks as donor-edition only
  • Teams needing a large enterprise deployment, since the README describes it as aimed at individuals and small teams
Step-by-step guide: how to use ZFileInstall, first run, examples, tips and FAQs

How to get it

  1. 1

    See the README

    You'll need: Docker or Docker Compose (for container deployment, per README)

    Download the one-click install script

    curl -fsSL https://docs.zfile.vip/install.sh -o install.sh

    Make the script executable

    chmod +x install.sh

    Run the install script

    ./install.sh
  2. 2

    Run it

    • Run the one-click install script from the README.
    • Open the admin backend and log in.
    • Add a storage source, such as local storage or S3.
    • Create a user and assign them a storage source or directory.
    • Open the file browser and try previewing a file or generating a link.
  3. 3

    Get the most out of it

    • Use the admin backend to connect several storage sources so they appear in one file list.
    • Assign storage sources or directories per user rather than sharing one account.
    • Generate short links with an expiry time when sharing files outside your team.
    • Use keyboard shortcuts such as Ctrl+A and Shift+click for faster multi-file selection.
    • Check the official install and changelog docs at docs.zfile.vip for deployment options beyond the script.

Downloads

Source code (.zip)main branch · straight from GitHubRelease 5.0.53 files incl. zfile-pro-release_windows_amd64.zipOfficial website & docswww.zfile.vip

Strengths

  • Supports many storage backends, including S3, OneDrive, SharePoint, Google Drive, and FTP/SFTP
  • Built-in online preview for many common file types, with a responsive layout for phones and tablets
  • Multi-user support with per-user storage or directory assignment

Trade-offs

  • Some features (download rate limiting, per-user file-type restrictions) are listed as donor-edition only
  • Documentation and README are primarily in Chinese, which may slow setup for non-Chinese readers
  • Self-hosting means you must secure and maintain the server yourself

How it compares

ProjectStarsTypeLevelUpdatedBest for
zfile (this)10.9kAppintermediate4 days agoIndividuals or small teams who already have files spread across several cloud storage services
litemall20.4kAppintermediate3 months agoJava developers who want a full example of a Spring Boot shop backend
ruoyi-vue-pro40.2kFrameworkadvanced5 days agoJava developers building an internal admin or back-office system
gogs47.9kAppintermediate5 days agoSmall teams that want a private Git server on their own hardware
PicGo27.5kAppbeginner17 days agoBloggers and note-takers who paste screenshots into Markdown editors
dashy26.9kAppbeginner5 days agoPeople running a homelab or home server who want one page for all their services

Stats synced from GitHub. The assessment above was drafted with AI from the project's README on 2026-10-29 and may miss recent changes — check the README before relying on a command. MIT licence: free to use, modify and distribute, including commercially, as long as you keep the copyright notice.