IFM
Self-HostedLightweight open-source web-based file manager
Overview
IFM is a lightweight, open-source web-based file manager written in PHP. It enables users to manage server files via a simple web interface—supporting uploads, downloads, editing, renaming, and permissions control. No database is required, making deployment straightforward: upload files to any PHP-enabled server (Apache/Nginx) and configure access settings. It’s customizable via config files, supports role-based user permissions, and is ideal for self-hosted environments needing reliable basic file management.
Self-Hosting Resources
Below is a reference structure for docker-compose.yml.
⚠️ Do NOT run blindly. Replace placeholders with official values.
version: '3'
services:
ifm:
image: <OFFICIAL_IMAGE_NAME>:latest
container_name: ifm
ports:
- "8080:<APP_INTERNAL_PORT>"
volumes:
- ./data:/app/data
restart: unless-stopped Key Features
- No database required (simple deployment)
- Comprehensive file operations (upload, edit, rename, download)
- Role-based user permissions and access control
Frequently Asked Questions
? Is IFM hard to install?
No—IFM is easy to install. Upload its PHP files to any PHP-enabled web server (Apache/Nginx), set correct directory permissions, and access via your browser. No database setup is needed, making deployment quick.
? Is it a good alternative to Dropbox's web interface for self-hosted needs?
Yes—IFM is a solid self-hosted alternative to Dropbox’s web interface. It gives full control over local server files but lacks Dropbox’s cloud sync and collaboration features, focusing on basic file management.
? Is it completely free?
Yes—IFM is open source under the MIT License. It’s free to use, modify, and distribute without any licensing fees or paid tiers. All core features are available at no cost.
Top Alternatives
People Also Ask about IFM
Tool Info
Pros
- ⊕ Privacy-focused (full control over self-hosted data)
- ⊕ Lightweight and fast performance
Cons
- ⊖ Requires PHP-enabled web server
- ⊖ Basic UI compared to modern feature-rich alternatives