Filestash

Filestash is an open source platform for file sharing, document management, managed file transfer, and archiving. Its browser interface connects to services such as FTP, WebDAV, SFTP, S3, SMB, Git, SharePoint, Google Drive, Dropbox, and Storj, so users can browse, organize, and share files across storage systems. It can also expose underlying storage through SFTP, MCP, FTP, WebDAV, S3, or AS2 gateways. An event-based workflow engine chains actions and can be extended with plugins. Authentication options include LDAP, SAML, and OIDC single sign-on, with role-based access controls. Filestash lists AI features for semantic search, smart folders, and OCR, including local models via Ollama. Its installation guide calls for a Linux server with Docker, Docker Compose, and curl. The Hobby tier supports up to three users. Self Served costs $50 a month and includes three seats; Enterprise Solutions costs $290 a month and supports unlimited users. Supported platforms include web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android.

Filestash brings multiple storage connections into a browser interface, with workflows, access controls, and gateways. Its paid tiers differ in seats and enterprise features, so match the plan to your deployment needs.

Filestash may suit individuals seeking a file-management platform or companies that need file access across storage services. The site offers separate Hobby, Self Served, and Enterprise Solutions tiers.

Overview

Filestash is an open-source browser platform for managing and sharing files across storage services. It suits teams that need one access layer for varied storage, transfer workflows, and permissions; individuals with simpler needs may not benefit from its business-oriented paid tiers.

Its strongest case is breadth: connect existing storage, share files through a common interface, or expose that storage to other clients through protocol gateways. The trade-off is that self-hosting requires a Linux server and Docker, and the clearest paid plans are aimed at organizations.

Key features

Connect storage and share files

Filestash connects to FTP, FTPS, SFTP, WebDAV, SMB, S3, NFS, Git, SharePoint, Google Drive, Dropbox, and Storj. Users can browse, organize, and share files across those services from one browser interface. That consolidation is useful when a team works across several storage systems, though it does not remove the need to manage those underlying services.

Gateways can expose connected storage through SFTP, MCP, FTP, WebDAV, S3, or AS2. Folder synchronization, SSH key authentication, and remote file editing add practical transfer and file-management options. The breadth makes Filestash more than a web file browser, but readers who only need a standalone FTP client may not need this wider layer.

Automate and govern access

The workflow engine chains actions in response to events and can be extended with plugins; scripting is also supported. RBAC and tailored authorization let administrators define who can do what and where. These controls suit shared or operational environments better than an informal file-sharing setup, but configuring them adds administrative work.

Filestash lists LDAP, SAML, and OIDC single sign-on integrations. Its audit logs are described as immutable, tamper proof, traceable, timestamped, and non-repudiable, with support for GDPR compliance. The plugin catalog includes audit logs, FIPS-compliant ciphers, activity detection, IP blocking, and ClamAV scanning. AI features include semantic search, smart folders, and OCR, with local-model support through Ollama.

Deployment and support

The installation guide calls for a Linux server with Docker, Docker Compose, and curl, and says 128 MB of RAM and one CPU core suffice except for intensive video transcoding or deployments serving thousands of users simultaneously. That modest stated baseline is appealing for a small deployment, while the Linux and Docker prerequisites make it less suitable for anyone who wants a managed, setup-free personal file app. Support includes developer technical help, security patches before public disclosure, deployment and hardening help, plugins, and consulting.

Pricing

Filestash is freemium, with a free plan and paid plans billed as monthly subscriptions. The paid entry point is $50/mo; the plan prices below are stated in USD.

• Hobby: Price not listed; up to 3 users. It fits an individual or small personal setup, but its user cap makes it a limited choice for a growing team.
• Self Served: $50 a month, billed monthly. It includes 3 seats, cloud or self-hosted deployment, a commercial license, SSO through SAML, OIDC, or LDAP, RBAC, and single-node deployment. This is the practical paid fit for a small organization that needs commercial use and access controls; the three-seat cap and single node constrain scale and availability.
• Enterprise Solutions: $290 a month, billed monthly. It includes unlimited users, audit and compliance, whitelabeling, 24/7 support, and high availability. It is the stronger fit for larger deployments that need those organizational features, but costs substantially more than the three-seat tier.
• Pro: Custom pricing.

The Hobby tier's three-user ceiling and the Self Served tier's three included seats distinguish personal use from a modest commercial deployment. Enterprise removes the user cap and adds high availability and around-the-clock support; choose it for those needs rather than for basic multi-storage access alone.

Platforms

Filestash supports web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android, and is also available as self-hosted software with an API. The server installation guidance is Linux-based, so organizations planning to self-host should account for that requirement.

Who it's for

Filestash is best for teams that need to unify access to several storage back ends, share files through one interface, and govern access or automate transfer-related work. Its gateways and plugin extensions make it relevant where existing systems must remain in place but need broader access options.

Hobby can suit an individual or small group of up to three users. Companies that need SSO and RBAC can consider Self Served, while organizations requiring unlimited users, audit and compliance features, high availability, or 24/7 support have a clearer case for Enterprise. Someone seeking only a basic client for one transfer protocol may be better served by a narrower tool.

Pros and cons

• Pro: Broad storage and protocol support brings many services into one interface, reducing the need to switch among separate access points.
• Pro: Gateways, workflows, scripting, and plugins extend it beyond browsing into transfer and operational use.
• Pro: RBAC, SSO integrations, audit capabilities, and security plugins give organizations options for tighter governance.
• Con: Self-hosting requires Linux and Docker, which is an operational hurdle for individuals who do not want to maintain a server.
• Con: The $50.00 per month Self Served plan includes only 3 seats and a single-node deployment, limiting its fit for expanding or high-availability teams.
• Con: The substantial jump to Enterprise Solutions is hard to justify if a team does not need its unlimited users, compliance features, high availability, or 24/7 support.

Alternatives

For a dedicated SFTP workflow, compare the SFTP Client Software category; for broader file browsing and organization, see File Manager Software.

• Monsta FTP is a freemium, self-hosted web client with a free plan for FTP and SFTP/SCP transfers; choose it when that narrower transfer-client scope is enough.
• FTPManager Pro is a paid option for Apple and Windows platforms, with FTP, FTPS, and SFTP access, a built-in FTP server, text editing, and transfers between servers and iOS devices; pick it when those client-focused capabilities matter more than Filestash's wider storage layer.
• Cyberduck is an open-source freemium option for macOS and Windows, with a GPL-licensed codebase; consider it when those platforms and an open-source client are the priority.
• FileZilla Client is free on Linux, macOS, and Windows and supports FTP, FTPS, and SFTP; it fits readers seeking a free client for those transfer protocols.
• WinSCP is a free, open-source Windows client for SFTP, FTP, FTPS, SCP, WebDAV, and S3; choose it when a Windows transfer client with those protocols is the goal.
• CrossFTP is another freemium option.
• ExpanDrive has a free personal tier for up to 10 users or devices per year, with 15 cloud services and protocols; consider it when that free allowance matches the need.
• lftp is free software distributed under the GNU GPL; it is an alternative for readers considering that option.

Verdict

Choose Filestash if you need a shared browser interface across varied storage, plus gateways, automation, and granular access controls. Its breadth and deployment flexibility are compelling for organizations consolidating file access, but the Linux-and-Docker requirement and the three-seat paid entry tier make it a weaker choice for casual users or teams that need a simple, low-maintenance client.