OpenList — Open-Source Cloud Storage File Listing & Management

Introduction

OpenList is a community-driven open-source fork of AList that aggregates files from multiple cloud storage providers into a single, browsable web interface. It supports dozens of storage backends and lets you search, stream, and share files without switching between services.

What OpenList Does

• Aggregates files from 30+ cloud storage providers into one web UI
• Supports streaming video and audio directly in the browser
• Provides file search across all connected storage backends
• Offers WebDAV protocol support for desktop and mobile access
• Enables public or private file sharing with link generation

Architecture Overview

OpenList is written in Go with a web frontend. It acts as a reverse proxy to cloud storage APIs, translating each provider's API into a unified file listing. Metadata is cached locally in a SQLite or MySQL database for fast browsing. The modular driver system makes adding new storage backends straightforward.

Self-Hosting & Configuration

• Deploy with Docker or download a single binary for your platform
• Add storage accounts through the web admin panel
• Supports SQLite (default) or MySQL/PostgreSQL for metadata
• Configure reverse proxy (Nginx, Caddy) for HTTPS access
• Set access permissions and passwords per storage mount

Key Features

• Supports Aliyun Drive, OneDrive, Google Drive, S3, WebDAV, FTP, SFTP, and more
• Built-in video player and document previewer
• WebDAV server for mounting as a network drive
• Search across all connected storages simultaneously
• Lightweight single binary with minimal resource usage

Comparison with Similar Tools

• AList — the upstream project; OpenList is a community fork with independent governance
• Nextcloud — full suite with sync; OpenList focuses on aggregation without local storage
• FileBrowser — single-server; OpenList aggregates multiple cloud providers
• Rclone — CLI-focused; OpenList adds a polished web UI

FAQ

Q: How does OpenList differ from AList? A: OpenList is a community-governed fork created after governance concerns with the original project.

Q: Does it store files locally? A: No, it proxies and caches metadata only. Files remain on their original cloud storage.

Q: Can I use it as a WebDAV server? A: Yes, it exposes all connected storages via WebDAV for easy mounting on any OS.

Q: Is authentication supported? A: Yes, it includes user management with role-based access and per-mount permissions.

Sources

• https://github.com/OpenListTeam/OpenList
• https://doc.oplist.org