The good php File Manager allows you to manage your site through HTTP rather than an FTP tool or other third-party application. You can upload, create or delete files, organize files in folders and change file permissions. Folders and files may be displayed in a hierarchical tree based on their directory structure. Some php file managers contain features inspired by web browsers, including forward and back navigational buttons
Basics features we look in in file manager are
-server info
-directory tree and easy way to navigate
-Basic file management feature like copy/move/delete/create/rename/edit/view/chmod files and folders
-Download of Compressed Files and Directories using tar/zip/bzip/gzip
-Source viewing of code
-multiple uploads
-shell/exec
-works on linux/windows
-php4/php5/apache2 compatible
-Lightweight and user-friendly interface
-Multiple user accounts + guest account
-Thumbnail view for images
10 good php file manager are
1) FileVista
FileVista is a web file manager for storing, managing and sharing files online through your web browser. It is a web based software which you install on your web server to fulfill web file management requirements of your company or organization. This web file manager allows your users to upload, download and organize any type of file with an intuitive user interface.
Features:
-Share files with your clients or staff on your web site.
-Store your confidential files on your own server and have full control over them.
-Enable your users to securely access, upload and organize documents from anywhere with only a web browser.
-Preview documents (50+ file formats, including PDF & Microsoft Office), images, audios and videos.
2) CKFinder
CKFinder is a powerful and easy to use Ajax file manager for web browsers. Its has user-friendly interface and it is quick to learn for all kinds of users, from advanced professionals to Internet beginners.
Features:
-Full source code included for the server side integration.
-secure file uploads.
-quickly responses without refreshing page.
-Lightweight and user-friendly interface .
-Full user control: create, rename and delete folders and files.
-Better image thumbnails managemnet, making it quick to find things.
-Folders tree navigation: for easy to navigate .
3) File Thingie
A small web-based file manager written in PHP. It is intended for those who need to give others access to a part of their server’s file system when FTP is not practical.Besides the ability to upload files and documents and search through them, File Thingie allows you to add new folders as well as create empty text files. . File Thingie also comes with a basic text editor which you can use to edit text and HTML files.
4) FileRun
FileRun is a web-based (PHP) file management system that allows you to manage files stored on your web server, through an innovative user-friendly (Ajax) interface. fileRun is 100% web based (PHP) file management system, a browser is the only thing a user will need for sending and receiving files .
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Features:
-user-friendly Ajax interface
-Download folders by zipping them on the fly!
-Uploads folders (without having to Zip and Unzip them).
-unlimited space for Uploads files of unlimited sizes, overcoming PHP upload limitation configuration directives.
-Easily manage files already existing in the file-system (No import required!).
5) Filegator
Advanced Multi-User PHP File Manager
features
-Upload multiple files simultaneously with Ajax and manage them online
-Drag & Drop files like interface to start upload
-Copy, move, rename, create, edit or delete online files and folders
-Create archives with zip or unzip and decompress files online
-Hierarchical Tree view of the directories
-Search files and folders
-Preview images in gallery mode
-Multiple user accounts
-User sign up & password recovery
-Adjustable read/write/upload permissions for each user
-Admin interface for managing user accounts
6) PHPfileNavigator
PHPfileNavigator is state-of-the-art, open source web based application to complete manage your files and folders. It provides a powerful, reliable and easy web file management with a lots of cool features. Easy to install and configure, you can administrate your files and folders as easy as in your hard drive and access with strong security all over the net.
Features:
-Aditional Information Files
-Safe Environment to work on
-Indexation
-Web Access Control
-Tree View of the directories
-Download of Compressed Files and Directories
-File Extractions on the Server
-Size Control
-File Type Restrictions
-Full Administration
-Activity and Error Logs
-Image Management
-Web Page or Document Upload
7)phpXplorer
phpXplorer is an open source file management system written in PHP programming language. The file types, property sheets, views and themes are built on its own by modular design. It enables you to work on a remote file system through a web browser. By default it has got dialogs for editing HTML, PHP, image, Apache, compressed and email files.
Features:
-remote file system using a web browser
-editing options
-modular design
-permission manager
-multiple user system
-dialogs for editing HTML, PHP
8) NavPHP – PHP File navigator
PHP navigator with its unique XP style navigation is written in PHP and AJAX. The main features include multiuser support, Gzip & Deflate webpage, built in HTML and code editor as well as Extract Zip. This web based file manager is free.
Features:
-User friendly Explorer style navigation and view. Fully customizable.
-Multi user support .it need MySQL for enabling multi user support
-AJAX & DOM to avoid reloading of the full page.You can see the change without refreshing the page
-Gzip & Deflate web page encoding gives you rocket speed data transfer!
-Better image management through Thumbnail view for wbmp, jpg, png, gif and now bmp
-Right click context menu.
-Built in HTML editor, Code editor
-Keyboard shortcuts to help user
-Download file or folder as zip
-Extract zip archive to current folder.
9) eXtplorer is a web-based File Manager.
Features
– browse directories & files on the server
– edit, copy, move, delete files,
– search, upload and download files,
– create and extract archives,
– create new files and directories,
– change file permissions (chmod) and much more
10) QuiXplorer is a multi-user, web-based file-manager.
Features
-Browsing directories; showing names, file sizes,file types, modification times and permissions
-Copying, moving and deleting files
-Searching for files and directories
-Uploading and downloading files
-Editing text files
-Creating new files and directories
-Changing file permissions
Great article, thanks, there is also another great FTP PHP script, that you can use to upload and manage files on server with any hosting account from Hostgator or Bluehost or PlotHost, this PHP Script is available on Github and SorceForge by searching for SabroCMS or downloading it directly from this