Choosing the right Laravel file managers can make working with uploaded files much easier, especially when you’re building content management systems, admin dashboards, or applications that handle large amounts of media. While Laravel already provides a powerful filesystem, it doesn’t include a complete graphical file manager for browsing and organizing uploaded files.
Fortunately, several third-party packages provide additional file management features, including file uploads, folder navigation, image previews, and integration with rich text editors. Some packages offer a complete graphical interface, while others focus on managing media files through Laravel’s Eloquent models.
In this article, we’ll look at some popular Laravel file managers, compare their features, and explore file management options for Filament admin panels. We’ll also look at when Laravel’s built-in storage is enough and when an additional package is worth installing.
Understanding Laravel File Storage
Before installing a file manager, it’s worth understanding what Laravel already provides. Laravel uses Flysystem to offer a consistent API for interacting with different storage systems, including local storage, Amazon S3, and SFTP.
You can configure storage disks in your application’s config/filesystems.php file and use Laravel’s built-in Storage facade to perform common file operations.
For example, you can store a file using:
use Illuminate\Support\Facades\Storage;
Storage::disk('public')->put(
'example.txt',
'Hello Laravel!'
);You can also retrieve or delete stored files using the same Storage facade.
// Retrieve a file
$content = Storage::disk('public')->get('example.txt');
// Delete a file
Storage::disk('public')->delete('example.txt');When using Laravel’s default local public disk, you can create a symbolic link to make publicly stored files accessible from the browser:
php artisan storage:linkFor a complete explanation of disks, cloud storage, private files and temporary URLs, refer to the official Laravel filesystem documentation.
What Are Laravel File Managers?
Laravel’s filesystem is suitable for most file operations, but applications sometimes need more than a backend API. For example, when building a CMS, you might want users to browse previously uploaded images, create folders, rename files or select media directly from a text editor.
Laravel file managers provide additional features that can make these tasks easier. Depending on the package, they may include a graphical file browser, drag-and-drop uploads, folder management, image previews and support for different storage disks.
File managers are also useful when integrating image uploads with WYSIWYG editors for Laravel, such as TinyMCE and CKEditor.
However, not every application needs a complete file manager. If you only need to upload profile pictures or attach files to database records, Laravel’s Storage facade or a media library may be sufficient.
Best Laravel File Managers Compared
The following packages offer different approaches to managing files in Laravel. I’ve included both traditional graphical file managers and media-management solutions because they address different application requirements.
| Package | Primary purpose | Interface |
|---|---|---|
| UniSharp Laravel File Manager | File browsing and WYSIWYG integration | Graphical |
| Laravel elFinder | Traditional file and folder management | Graphical |
| Alexusmai Laravel File Manager | File management with a Vue interface | Graphical |
| Spatie Media Library | Managing media associated with Eloquent models | Primarily API-based |
| MWGuerra FileManager | File management inside Filament panels | Filament interface |
The packages listed above have different dependencies and compatibility requirements. Always check the latest release information before integrating one into an existing Laravel project.
1. UniSharp Laravel File Manager
UniSharp Laravel File Manager provides a graphical interface for uploading, browsing and managing files in Laravel applications.
One of its useful features is integration with popular rich text editors, including TinyMCE, CKEditor and Summernote. This makes it relevant when you’re building a CMS or another application where users need to insert previously uploaded images into their content.
UniSharp supports common file-management operations, image manipulation, multiple file selection and configurable storage. It also provides a multi-user mode with shared and private folders.
Key Features of UniSharp
- Graphical interface for uploading and managing files
- Image cropping and resizing
- Multiple file selection
- Cloud storage integration through Laravel’s filesystem
- WYSIWYG editor integration
- Shared and private folders for multi-user applications
Its published Composer requirements include support for Laravel versions through Laravel 13. However, you should check the PHP and image-processing dependencies required by the release you’re installing.
You can install the package using Composer:
composer require unisharp/laravel-filemanagerAfter installation, publish the package’s configuration and public assets:
php artisan vendor:publish --tag=lfm_config
php artisan vendor:publish --tag=lfm_publicYou will also need to configure its routes, storage and authentication. Make sure the file-management routes are protected so that unauthorized visitors cannot upload or modify files.
See the official UniSharp installation guide for the complete setup process.
2. Laravel elFinder
Laravel elFinder integrates the open-source elFinder file manager into Laravel applications.
If you’re familiar with desktop file managers, elFinder provides a similar experience in the browser. Users can navigate folders, upload and download files, rename items and perform other common file-management operations.
The Laravel integration also includes example views for standalone use and integration with TinyMCE and CKEditor.
Key Features of Laravel elFinder
- Graphical file and folder browsing
- File uploads and downloads
- Common file-management operations
- Integration options for TinyMCE and CKEditor
- Configurable routes and middleware
The current package requirements declare compatibility with Laravel 9 through 13. For older Laravel applications, check the project’s documentation to find the appropriate package version.
Install Laravel elFinder using Composer:
composer require barryvdh/laravel-elfinderPublish its assets using:
php artisan elfinder:publishRemember to configure the routes and access restrictions before exposing the file manager to users. The package also recommends republishing its assets after updates.
For additional setup instructions, visit the Laravel elFinder repository.
3. Alexusmai Laravel File Manager
Alexusmai Laravel File Manager provides another graphical interface for managing files and directories within Laravel applications.
It uses a Vue-based frontend and integrates with Laravel’s filesystem. Its documented features include file uploads, folder navigation, file previews and common operations such as renaming, copying, moving and deleting files.
This approach may be useful for developers who want a graphical file manager with a Vue-based interface.
Key Features of Alexusmai
- Vue-based graphical file manager
- File and folder navigation
- File uploads and downloads
- Image previews
- Integration with Laravel storage disks
One detail worth checking is compatibility. Although some older documentation lists support for Laravel 9 through 11, the May 2026 release declares support for Laravel 12 and 13 as well.
The package registry also lists security advisories. Review the affected versions and any available fixes before considering it for a production application. A package declaring support for your Laravel version does not automatically guarantee that every security concern has been addressed.
You can find current version requirements and security information on Packagist, along with the project’s installation instructions on GitHub.
4. Spatie Laravel Media Library
Spatie Laravel Media Library is slightly different from the other packages in this list. Instead of providing a complete graphical file browser, it focuses on managing media files associated with Laravel Eloquent models.
For example, suppose you’re developing an ecommerce application where every product has multiple images. You can use Spatie Media Library to associate uploaded images with individual product records, organize them into collections and generate image conversions.
It can also be useful for applications that manage user avatars, article thumbnails, documents and other media associated with database records.
Key Features of Spatie Media Library
- Associate media with Eloquent models
- Organize files into media collections
- Generate image conversions and responsive images
- Support different storage disks
- Optional commercial upload components
The current Media Library documentation requires Laravel 10 or newer and PHP 8.2 or newer. Some image-processing features also require additional server dependencies.
Install the package using Composer:
composer require spatie/laravel-medialibraryAfter installation, publish the migration and run your database migrations. You must also configure your Eloquent models to use the package.
Spatie offers a separate commercial product called Media Library Pro, which includes additional Blade, Vue and React components for handling uploads.
If you need a general-purpose graphical browser, consider one of the other file-manager packages. Spatie Media Library is designed primarily for managing application media associated with database models.
Laravel File Managers for Filament
If you’re building your admin panel with Filament, you have a few additional options for file management.
Filament already provides a file-upload component for handling images and documents in forms. However, if your application needs a shared file library, folder navigation or a dedicated file-management interface, you might want to explore additional plugins.
Filament’s Built-in FileUpload Component
For simple file uploads, Filament’s native FileUpload component may already provide everything your application needs.
It supports image uploads, multiple files and configurable storage disks. You can use it directly inside Filament resource forms without adding a complete file-management package.
For example, you can add an image-upload field to a Filament form:
use Filament\Forms\Components\FileUpload;
FileUpload::make('image')
->image()
->directory('products');For applications that only require users to upload files associated with individual records, this can be simpler than installing a separate file manager.
MWGuerra FileManager for Filament
MWGuerra FileManager is a dedicated file-management plugin for Filament. It provides a graphical interface with file browsing, folder navigation, previews and upload functionality.
Unlike a basic upload field, it can provide a file-management interface where users work with multiple files and folders.
The plugin offers two operating modes: a database mode for tracking files and metadata, and a storage mode for browsing configured storage disks. The storage-browsing mode is intended for read-only access, while database mode supports file-management operations.
Key Features
- Graphical file-management interface
- Grid and list views
- Folder navigation and file previews
- Drag-and-drop uploads
- Local storage, Amazon S3 and MinIO integration
- Integration with Filament forms
Version 2 of MWGuerra FileManager targets Filament 5 and Livewire 4. Its documentation lists Laravel 12, while its Composer dependencies also permit Laravel 13. If you’re using Laravel 13, check the latest release notes and test the plugin before deploying it.
Visit the official Filament plugin page for installation instructions, version compatibility and configuration examples.
Official Filament Spatie Media Library Plugin
Filament also offers an official Spatie Media Library plugin that connects its form components with Spatie’s media-management functionality.
This integration can be useful when you’re working with product galleries, user avatars, article thumbnails or other media associated with Eloquent models.
The plugin supports Filament 5 and provides a dedicated media-library upload field, media collections and additional options for working with uploaded images.
However, it is not intended to replace a general-purpose file browser. If you need users to browse a shared directory, organize folders and manage files independently of database models, a dedicated file-manager plugin may be more appropriate.
Which Laravel File Manager Should You Choose?
The right choice depends on how your application handles files and what your users need to do with them.
If you’re building a traditional Laravel CMS with rich text editing, UniSharp and Laravel elFinder are worth exploring because they provide graphical interfaces and editor-integration options.
If you’re working with files that belong to specific database records, Spatie Media Library provides a different approach through Eloquent models and media collections.
For Filament applications, consider starting with the native FileUpload component. If you need a more complete graphical file-management interface, MWGuerra FileManager is another option. The official Filament Spatie plugin is relevant when your application already uses model-associated media.
Alexusmai also provides a Vue-based graphical interface, but review its security advisories and verify compatibility with your application before selecting a release.
File Upload Security in Laravel
Security is an important consideration when adding file-management functionality to any application. A graphical file manager makes working with files easier, but you still need to control who can upload, view, modify or delete them.
Laravel provides file-validation rules that help restrict accepted uploads. For example, you can validate an uploaded image before storing it:
use Illuminate\Validation\Rules\File;
$request->validate([
'image' => [
'required',
File::image()
->types(['jpg', 'jpeg', 'png', 'webp'])
->max('5mb'),
],
]);This example restricts the upload to supported image formats and sets a maximum file size of 5 MB.
You should also configure authentication and authorization, avoid trusting user-supplied filenames and choose appropriate storage visibility. Sensitive files should generally be stored privately and served through authorized download endpoints.
For packages that provide archive extraction, file editing or other advanced operations, review their security advisories and keep their dependencies updated.
Conclusion
Laravel already provides a flexible filesystem for storing and retrieving files, but graphical file managers and media libraries can save development time when your application needs additional features.
UniSharp and Laravel elFinder offer graphical interfaces and integration options for content management systems. Alexusmai provides a Vue-based alternative, while Spatie Media Library focuses on managing files associated with Eloquent models.
For developers using Filament, the built-in FileUpload component and available plugins provide additional ways to handle uploads and file management inside admin panels.
Before selecting a package, consider its features, maintenance, Laravel compatibility, dependencies and security requirements. A simple upload field may be enough for some applications, while others benefit from a complete graphical file manager.
If you’re also working on a content management system, take a look at our guide to WYSIWYG editors for Laravel for additional content-editing options.
