Surfer

Self-Hosted

Self-hosted web-based file manager for secure, local file access

Overview

Surfer is a lightweight self-hosted web file manager that lets you manage server files via an intuitive browser interface. It supports drag-and-drop uploads, bulk file operations (copy, move, delete), folder creation, and previews for images, PDFs, and text files. Deployable via Docker or manual setup (PHP/Apache/Nginx), it includes basic user permission controls to restrict directory access. Ideal for individuals or small teams, Surfer keeps data private by avoiding third-party cloud services while simplifying remote file management.

Self-Hosting Resources

Find Official Image on Docker Hub View Source & Docs

Below is a reference structure for docker-compose.yml. ⚠️ Do NOT run blindly. Replace placeholders with official values.

docker-compose.template.yml TEMPLATE


version: '3'
services:
  surfer:
    image: <OFFICIAL_IMAGE_NAME>:latest
    container_name: surfer
    ports:
      - "8080:<APP_INTERNAL_PORT>"
    volumes:
      - ./data:/app/data
    restart: unless-stopped

Key Features

Drag-and-drop file uploads/downloads
Bulk file operations and folder management
File previews for common formats

Frequently Asked Questions

? Is Surfer hard to install?

Surfer is easy to deploy with Docker (single command) or manual setup on a server with PHP and a web server. Docker is recommended for beginners as it handles dependencies automatically.

? Is it a good alternative to Google Drive's web manager?

Yes—Surfer offers core file management features (browsing, uploads, previews) while keeping data local. It lacks Google Drive's real-time collaboration but excels at privacy.

? Is Surfer completely free?

Yes—Surfer is open-source software under a permissive license, so it’s free to use, modify, and self-host without any hidden costs.

Top Alternatives

Google Drive Web Interface Search Google

Dropbox Web App Search Google

Tool Info

Pricing Free/Open Source

Category File Transfer - Web-based File Managers

Platform Self-Hosted

Pros

⊕ Privacy-focused (self-hosted data control)
⊕ Lightweight and low-resource usage
⊕ No recurring subscription fees

Cons

⊖ Requires basic server setup knowledge
⊖ Limited advanced collaboration features
⊖ Manual updates needed without Docker
⊖ No built-in encryption for file transfers (depends on server SSL)