Directory Lister is a free, open-source PHP script for browsing and sharing files in any web folder. See setup, features, licensing, pros, cons, and FAQs.
Category
File Management
Pricing
Free / Open Source, from Free
Verified
Not yet
Last updated
July 18, 2026
Free PlanWeb AppOpen SourceSelf-Hosted
Overview
Directory Lister is a free, open-source, self-hosted PHP script that turns any web-accessible folder into a clean, browsable file-listing page with a zero-configuration, drag-and-drop installation.
Maintained by developer Chris Kankiewicz (PHLAK) and the open-source community under the MIT License, it requires no database and runs on any standard PHP-capable web host, making it a lightweight alternative to full cloud file-sharing platforms for simply exposing a folder's contents.
Key Features
Directory Lister includes light and dark themes, custom sort ordering, built-in file search, cryptographic file hashes for download verification, one-click zip downloads of entire directories, and multi-lingual interface support.
Because it reads directly from the filesystem, any files added, removed, or renamed in the configured folder appear in the listing immediately with no manual re-indexing required.
Pricing
Directory Lister is completely free and open source under the MIT License, with no paid tier, subscription, or enterprise plan; the only cost is the PHP-capable web hosting a user already has. Voluntary financial support for the maintainer is accepted via GitHub Sponsors.
Key Features
Zero-configuration installation — Drop the files onto a PHP-capable web server and the directory listing works immediately with no database setup.
Light and dark themes — Switch between visual themes to match personal or brand preference.
Built-in file search — Visitors can quickly search for specific files within large directory trees.
Custom sort ordering — Site owners control how files and folders are ordered in the listing.
File hashes for verification — Cryptographic hashes are displayed alongside downloads so users can verify file integrity.
One-click zip downloads — Visitors can download an entire folder of files as a single compressed archive.
Multi-lingual support — The interface can be presented in a visitor's preferred language.
Composer/Packagist distribution — Available as the phlak/directory-lister package for developers integrating it into larger PHP projects.
Pros & Cons
Pros
Completely free, MIT-licensed, and open source
No database or complex setup required
Actively maintained with a structured release history
Lightweight, single-purpose, and fast to deploy on any PHP host
Cons
Requires PHP 8.2 or higher as of the latest major version, which can exclude very old hosting environments
No built-in user accounts or access-control system for restricting who can view files
Limited to file browsing rather than full file management, syncing, or collaboration
Relies on self-hosting, so users are responsible for their own server security and updates
Pricing
Free / Open Source Free N/A
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Directory Lister free?
Yes. Directory Lister is free and open source under the MIT License with no paid tier.
What are the requirements to run Directory Lister?
A PHP-capable web server; the latest major version (5.0.0) requires PHP 8.2 or higher.
Do I need a database to use Directory Lister?
No, Directory Lister reads directly from the filesystem and requires no database.
Who maintains Directory Lister?
It is created and maintained by developer Chris Kankiewicz (PHLAK) with contributions from the open-source community.
Can I use Directory Lister for a commercial project?
Yes, its MIT License permits free use, modification, and redistribution, including in commercial contexts.
How is Directory Lister different from a web server's built-in directory listing?
It adds search, themes, custom sorting, file hashes, and zip downloads that basic Apache or Nginx autoindexing does not provide.