filex
Filex is an open-source, MIT-licensed file manager that can run as a self-hosted service from a single Go binary or container.
What filex is
Filex is an open-source, MIT-licensed file manager that can run as a self-hosted service from a single Go binary or container. It connects local disks and remote storage including S3, SFTP, FTP, WebDAV and SMB/CIFS, with plugins available for additional backends. Files can also be served over S3, SFTP, FTPS, NFSv3, WebDAV and HTTPS. Search covers filenames and file contents; the manager also includes trash retention and version history. Access controls include roles, inherited item-level grants and public links with optional PINs, expiration and download caps. Users can sign in with local passwords, OIDC, LDAP or Active Directory, or proxy headers. Filex offers web access and Windows, Linux and macOS desktop clients; desktop and CLI clients support two-way folder sync. Office files have a read-only browser preview unless an optional self-hosted OnlyOffice Document Server is set up for editing and co-authoring. Filex uses SQLite by default and supports PostgreSQL for team deployments. It is free and open source.
Good
- Connects local disks and several remote storage types
- Searches filenames and file contents
- Supports two-way folder sync
- Provides role and item-level access controls
- Available for web, Windows, Linux and macOS
Watch out
- Office editing requires an optional self-hosted OnlyOffice server
- Self-hosted deployment is required
- Team deployments using PostgreSQL require a separate database
Who it suits
Filex suits people or teams seeking self-hosted file management across local disks and remote storage. It may fit those who want granular access controls, search and folder sync, and can manage optional services such as OnlyOffice themselves.
Verdict
Filex combines broad storage connectivity with access controls, search and sync in a self-hosted file manager. Office editing and co-authoring depend on adding an OnlyOffice server; otherwise, Office documents are preview-only.
The facts
Each one read from filex's own pages, with the date it was checked.
What it does
- Access control
- It supports roles, per-item grants with inheritance, and public links that can use a PIN, expiry and download cap.checked 4 Oct 2026
- AI integration
- A built-in MCP server and token-authenticated REST surface let AI agents work with files within their granted scope.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Deployment
- Filex runs as a binary or container, uses SQLite by default, and supports PostgreSQL for team deployments.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Deployment options
- The site lists Docker Compose, a Helm chart, and listings for Umbrel, CasaOS, Runtipi, Portainer and Unraid.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Desktop
- Desktop apps are available for Windows, Linux and macOS, with portable builds also listed for each platform.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Embedding
- The explorer can be embedded in other products as a Vue 3 component, React adapter or framework-agnostic web component.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Embedding and API
- The explorer is available as Vue 3 and React components and a framework-agnostic web component, with a token-scoped REST API and built-in MCP server.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Encryption
- End-to-end encrypted folders store ciphertext on the server without sending it the encryption key.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Integrations
- The site documents self-hosted ONLYOFFICE for editing Office documents and Tesseract for including scanned pages in search.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Office editing
- In-browser Office editing and co-authoring use an optional self-hosted OnlyOffice Document Server; without it, Office files have a read-only preview.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Product
- Filex is an open-source, MIT-licensed self-hosted file manager delivered as a single Go binary.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Protocols
- It serves the same files over S3, SFTP, FTPS, NFSv3, WebDAV and HTTPS.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Search and history
- Filex searches mounted storage by filename and file contents, and includes trash retention and version history.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Search and retention
- It searches mounted storage by filename and file contents, and includes trash with a retention window and version history.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Security
- Optional ClamAV scanning can scan written files through a local binary or a clamd service.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Sign-in
- Supported sign-in methods include local passwords, OIDC, LDAP or Active Directory, and proxy headers.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Storage
- Built-in storage drivers connect local disk, S3, SFTP, FTP, WebDAV and SMB/NAS; additional storage backends can be added with plugins.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Sync and CLI
- Desktop and CLI clients support two-way folder sync, and the CLI can mount a remote server over HTTPS as a local folder or drive letter.checked 4 Oct 2026
The company
- Company
- BRF Tech describes itself as a Bursa-based DevSecOps and software consultancy.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Maker
- The site credits BRF Tech as the maker and says FileX is built and run in production there.checked 4 Oct 2026
Where it runs
- Desktop platforms
- The desktop app is available for Windows, Linux and macOS; the site lists Windows, Linux and macOS packages and command-line installation options.checked 4 Oct 2026
- WebAssembly apps
- FileX supports sandboxed WebAssembly apps, which undergo permission review and require review before an update requesting additional permissions is installed.checked 4 Oct 2026
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