Overview

Rather than replace storage, Filestash provides a common interface for browsing, organizing, and sharing files across services such as S3, SharePoint, Google Drive, and Dropbox, alongside FTP, WebDAV, SFTP, SMB, Git, and Storj. That makes it useful when files are spread across systems, though organizations seeking only a basic transfer client may not need its wider scope.

It also reaches beyond a browser interface: connected storage can be made available through gateways, and event-driven workflows can chain actions. Self-hosting gives organizations another deployment option, but it requires a Linux server with Docker, Docker Compose, and curl.

Key features

Connections, sharing, and gateways

Users can work across connected storage in one interface, and the supported protocols include SFTP, FTP, FTPS, WebDAV, SMB, S3, NFS, MCP, and AS2. Filestash can expose storage through SFTP, MCP, FTP, WebDAV, S3, or AS2 gateways. Folder synchronization, SSH key authentication, and remote file editing add practical file-management options. This combination is a strong fit for teams that need one access layer for varied systems; it is more than a narrow-purpose client requires.

Workflow and control

The workflow engine chains actions in response to events and can be extended with plugins; scripting is also supported. Role-based access control and configurable authorization let organizations define who can do what and where. LDAP, SAML, and OIDC SSO integrations are listed, while the plugin catalog includes audit logs, FIPS-compliant ciphers, activity detection, IP blocking, and ClamAV scanning.

The maker describes audit logs as immutable, tamper-proof, traceable, timestamped, and non-repudiable, and says they support GDPR compliance. AI options include semantic search, smart folders, and OCR, with local models supported through Ollama. These capabilities broaden the platform’s appeal to teams with governance or discovery needs, though the strongest controls sit in the paid tiers.

Deployment and support

The installation guide says 128 MB of RAM and one CPU core will suffice unless the deployment handles intensive video transcoding or thousands of simultaneous users. That modest baseline is useful for smaller deployments, but self-hosting still calls for Linux and Docker administration. Support services include technical help, security patches before public disclosure, deployment and hardening assistance, plugins, and consulting.

Pricing

Filestash uses a freemium model, with a Hobby tier for up to three users and paid monthly subscriptions for company plans. Hobby is the clearest fit for individuals or a small group; its user cap rules it out for larger teams.

Hobby: Price not listed; up to 3 users. A small-team option, but the seat ceiling is restrictive for growing organizations.
Self Served: 50.00 USD per month, billed monthly. Includes 3 seats, cloud or self-hosted deployment, a commercial license, SSO (SAML, OIDC, LDAP) plus RBAC, and a single-node deployment. It suits a small business needing identity controls and a choice of deployment, but the included seats and single node limit its fit for larger or highly available operations.
Enterprise Solutions: 290.00 USD per month, billed monthly. Includes unlimited users, audit and compliance, whitelabeling, 24/7 support, and high availability. It is the relevant tier for organizations needing scale and operational resilience; smaller teams may not need those provisions.
Pro: Price not listed.

The free plan and free trial offer ways to start without a paid subscription, while monthly billing avoids a longer stated commitment. Self Served costs less but limits seats and deployment to a single node; Enterprise adds unlimited users and high availability. The Hobby cap is three users, so it is not a substitute for those business capabilities at scale.

Platforms

Filestash supports web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android, and also lists API and self-hosted availability. The platform range accommodates desktop and mobile access, while the Linux-and-Docker installation requirement applies to self-hosted deployments.

Who it's for

Filestash is best suited to organizations that want a shared browser interface across multiple storage systems, with gateways, workflow automation, and access controls in the same platform. Its self-hosted option and low stated baseline resource needs can suit teams with Linux and Docker capacity. Individuals and small groups can start with Hobby, but teams over three users need another tier. A single-node Self Served deployment is less suited to organizations that require high availability.

Pros and cons

Pro: Broad storage connections and protocol gateways can unify access without replacing existing systems.
Pro: Workflow automation, configurable RBAC, SSO integrations, and security plugins cover needs beyond routine file transfer.
Pro: The stated modest server baseline makes self-hosting plausible for smaller deployments.
Con: Hobby supports only up to three users, limiting its usefulness for growing teams.
Con: Self Served includes three seats and a single-node deployment, so larger teams or those needing high availability must consider Enterprise.
Con: Self-hosting requires a Linux server and Docker tooling, adding operational work compared with using a standalone client.

Alternatives

For a narrower transfer-client choice, WinSCP is a free, open-source Windows client with SFTP, FTP, FTPS, SCP, WebDAV, and S3 support. FileZilla Client is a free Linux, macOS, and Windows client for FTP, FTPS, and SFTP. Choose either when those transfer protocols and a client are enough, rather than Filestash’s broader browser-based storage and workflow platform.

CrossFTP is a freemium client for Linux, macOS, and Windows. ExpanDrive offers a free forever personal plan covering up to 10 users or devices per year, all 15 cloud services and protocols, and community support; it is a fit when those stated limits meet the need. Cyberduck is a freemium option for macOS and Windows, while lftp is free software for Linux. Xftp is a freemium Windows choice with a free license limited to personal, home, and educational non-commercial use. Core FTP is a freemium Windows option with listed single-user plans.

Readers comparing categories can also browse SFTP Client Software or File Manager Software.

Verdict

Choose Filestash if your organization needs to bring varied storage systems behind one interface and values gateways, workflow automation, and access control in the same platform. Its strongest case is breadth without forcing a storage migration. Look elsewhere if all you need is a focused transfer client, or if a three-seat plan or single-node deployment cannot support your team.

	Filestash	Owlfiles
Free plan	Yes	Yes
Free trial	Yes	No
Paid from	—	$1.08/mo
Open source	No	No
Platforms	Android, api, iOS, Linux, macOS, self-hosted, Web, Windows	—
Free plan	Yes	Yes
Supported platforms	Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android	—

Filestash vs Owlfiles

Filestash

Owlfiles