fman VS AppWrite

Compare fman VS AppWrite and see what are their differences

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fman

An unexpected gift. January 07, 2018 by Michael. One of the nice things that happened last week was an fman user writing in to say that 1) fman "is THE BEST SOFTWARE" (sic). And that 2) he would like to send me a $50 tip.

AppWrite

Appwrite provides web and mobile developers with a set of easy-to-use and integrate REST APIs to manage their core backend needs.

Landing page //
2023-09-21

Landing page //
2023-09-28

fman

Website: fman.io
$ Details

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AppWrite

Website: appwrite.io
$ Details
Startup details
Country: Israel

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fman features and specs

Cross-Platform Availability
fman is available on macOS, Windows, and Linux, allowing users to have a consistent file management experience across different operating systems.
Performance
fman is built to be lightweight and fast, which can result in quicker file operations and a more responsive interface compared to some other file managers.
Plugin System
fman offers a plugin system that allows users to extend its functionality according to their needs, which fosters a customizable experience.
Dual-Pane Interface
The dual-pane interface is highly efficient for tasks that involve moving or copying files between directories, offering a productivity boost for power users.
Keyboard Shortcuts
Extensive keyboard shortcut support lets advanced users perform operations quickly without needing to use the mouse, speeding up file management tasks.

Possible disadvantages of fman

Paid Software
fman is not free; it requires a purchase for continuous use, which might be a drawback for users looking for a free alternative.
Limited Built-In Features
Out-of-the-box, fman might lack some advanced features found in other file managers, requiring users to install plugins to achieve the same functionality.
Learning Curve
New users might experience a learning curve when adapting to fman's interface and keyboard shortcuts, especially if they are coming from more traditional file managers.
Plugin Management
While the plugin system is a pro, managing and finding the right plugins can be cumbersome for some users. Additionally, community plugins might vary in quality.
UI Design
Some users might find the minimalist design too simplistic compared to other file managers, potentially missing out on a richer, more feature-complete interface.

AppWrite features and specs

Open Source
AppWrite is an open-source platform, allowing developers to inspect, modify, and contribute to the code base, ensuring transparency and flexibility.
Self-Hosted
Being self-hosted, AppWrite gives developers complete control over their data and server environment, enhancing security and customization options.
Comprehensive Backend
AppWrite offers a wide range of backend services out-of-the-box, including authentication, database management, storage, and serverless functions, reducing the need for additional third-party services.
Multi-Language Support
AppWrite supports various programming languages, which makes it versatile and developer-friendly, allowing the integration with different tech stacks.
Community and Documentation
AppWrite has an active community and well-documented guides, tutorials, and API references, which are essential for learning and troubleshooting.

Possible disadvantages of AppWrite

Resource Intensive
Being a self-hosted solution, AppWrite may require significant server resources for optimal performance, which can be costly.
Initial Setup Complexity
The initial setup and configuration can be complex and time-consuming, particularly for those less experienced with server management.
Limited Third-Party Integrations
As compared to some other backend-as-a-service (BaaS) platforms, AppWrite has fewer pre-built third-party integrations, which might limit its extensibility.
Newer and Evolving
AppWrite is relatively new and still evolving, which can mean fewer features compared to more mature platforms and the potential for more bugs.
Maintenance Responsibility
Since it is self-hosted, the responsibility for server maintenance, updates, and security falls solely on the user, which can be a drawback for smaller teams or solo developers.

Analysis of fman

Overall verdict

fman is a solid choice for users seeking a customizable and efficient file management solution. However, those who prefer a more graphical interface with advanced features out-of-the-box may need to look at alternative solutions.

Why this product is good

fman is a dual-pane file manager designed to enhance productivity by allowing users to efficiently organize and manage their files across different platforms. It is especially appreciated for its extensibility, as users can create or download plugins to tailor the software to their specific needs. Additionally, its minimalistic design and multi-platform support make it an appealing choice for those who frequently switch between operating systems.

Recommended for

Developers and IT professionals who require a cross-platform file manager.
Users who appreciate customizability through plugins.
Individuals looking for a lightweight and speed-oriented file manager.

Analysis of AppWrite

Overall verdict

AppWrite is a solid option for developers looking for an open-source backend solution with robust features. Its well-documented APIs and active community support make it a viable choice for both small projects and growing applications.

Why this product is good

AppWrite is considered a good choice, particularly for its comprehensive backend-as-a-service (BaaS) features that cater to web and mobile developers. It provides a suite of services such as user authentication, databases, file storage, and serverless functions, allowing developers to streamline their development process. Its open-source nature means developers have access to the full code base and the community-drive contributions, ensuring transparency and continuous improvements. AppWrite also emphasizes developer experience, offering easy integration with client-side SDKs and providing extensive documentation.

Recommended for

AppWrite is recommended for developers building applications who require a scalable backend solution without the overhead of managing infrastructure. It is particularly suited for developers who prefer open-source platforms and those who want to avoid vendor lock-in. AppWrite's features make it a good fit for startups, hobby projects, and even educational purposes where full control over the backend is desirable.

fman videos

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Speargun trigger review @ trigger panah ikan #FMAN

AppWrite videos

No AppWrite videos yet. You could help us improve this page by suggesting one.

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Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to fman and AppWrite)

fman

AppWrite

File Manager

100 100%

File Manager

0% 0

Developer Tools

0 0%

Developer Tools

100% 100

FTP Client

100 100%

FTP Client

0% 0

Backend As A Service

0 0%

Backend As A Service

100% 100

User comments

Share your experience with using fman and AppWrite. For example, how are they different and which one is better?

Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare fman and AppWrite

fman Reviews

14 Alternative File Managers To Replace Windows 10 File Explorer

A very simple dual-window view file manager. The only extra feature I saw was the search bar at the top that you can use to quickly access anything. However, it’s also really small in size and light on resources, so try fman if you have a slow PC.

Source: geekflare.com

AppWrite Reviews

dndiel

over 4 years ago

Appwrite is awesome, free and open-source!

I've use it instead of Firebase on a 15$ DigitalOcean droplet and saved around ~$150 a month. Managing my own infra does take some extra time, but definitely worth it. The APIs and SDK are also surprisingly much easier to consume than Firebase. Waiting for the cloud version.

🏁 Competitors: Firebase

👍 Pros: Easy to use|Cost effective|Open-source|Great user experience|Super simple|Self hosted

👎 Cons: Self hosted

10 Top Firebase Alternatives to Ignite Your Development in 2024

Appwrite’s self-hosted nature gives you complete control over your data and infrastructure, great for those who are security-conscious. It also offers a comprehensive set of features, including user authentication, database management, storage, cloud functions, and more. It’s like having your very own Firebase, but on your terms.

Source: genezio.com

Top 7 Firebase Alternatives for App Development in 2024

Appwrite is an open-source backend-as-a-service platform that provides a comprehensive set of tools and APIs to help developers build modern applications. It focuses on simplicity and developer experience.

Source: signoz.io

Best Serverless Backend Tools of 2023: Pros & Cons, Features & Code Examples

Appwrite is a self-hosted BaaS platform giving you all the tools you need to build all sorts of application.

Source: www.rowy.io

2023 Firebase Alternatives: Top 10 Open-Source & Free

Appwrite permits the development to benefit from its open-source version without paying anything. However, its official website also declares that it will share the pricing details for Appwrite Cloud soon.

Source: digitalcruch.com

12 Best Open-source Database Backend Server and Google Firebase Alternatives

Appwrite is a self-hosted backend server for building web, mobile and desktop apps. It supports multiple applications natively without hacks or workarounds.It features a dashboard for apps, database, user, functions and storage management, real-time analytics per project, live connections monitor, background tasks and webhooks.Appwrite also is suitable for creating Geo-data...

Source: medevel.com

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, AppWrite seems to be a lot more popular than fman. While we know about 178 links to AppWrite, we've tracked only 10 mentions of fman. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

fman mentions (10)

Ask HN: What project do you donate to?
My first donations were for daily-driver productivity tools: Min browser (https://github.com/minbrowser/min). - Source: Hacker News / about 1 year ago
File Pilot: A file explorer built for speed with a modern, robust interface
I once devoted 2 years of my life to developing a file manager called fman [1]. In total, it generated probably 35,000$ in profits, so my income from the project is somewhere under 10 $/h. As software developers, our opportunity costs are high. I use my file manager to this day and love it - how could I not. But I regret spending so much time on it. Congratulations on your launch. I wish you more success than I've... - Source: Hacker News / over 1 year ago
Use Midnight Commander like a pro (2015)
Shameless plug for my more modern alternative to Midnight Commander, https://fman.io. - Source: Hacker News / over 2 years ago
Best symbols in folder names to pin an important folder up top?
Use a file browser that supports jumping to a folder by frecency (examples: z (shell extension) or my-dired-recent-dirs() in my dired or https://fman.io/ for users that prefer graphical UIs). You will find out that you will prefer jumping to navigation when you're familiar with the concept. Source: about 4 years ago
Ask HN: Why aren't there any real alternatives to Electron?
There are great alternatives. I used Python and Qt to create my file manager [1]. It's a tool that needs to start quickly so Electron was not an option [2]. I open sourced my build system for creating cross-platform desktop apps with it in minutes at https://build-system.fman.io/. 1: https://fman.io 2: https://fman.io/blog/picking-technologies-for-a-desktop-app-in-2016/. - Source: Hacker News / over 4 years ago

AppWrite mentions (178)

Creating a Chatbot that actually Stands Out! (vibe coded version)🦖
Initially, I was using the Supabase free tier, but I was hitting the limits, and my app was becoming stale. Then I switched to Appwrite. Both are totally different; one is SQL, while the latter one is NoSQL. Although use node-appwrite package to skip the manual schema add-ons. - Source: dev.to / 6 months ago
The future of coding: Cursor, AI, and the rise of backend automation with Appwrite
Appwrite is an open-source platform that simplifies backend setup by providing authentication, databases, storage, functions, and hosting all in one place. - Source: dev.to / 9 months ago
How to Use Appwrite in Android Jetpack Compose
I love Appwrite. My first hackathon was actually from Appwrite (using Appwrite) 2 years ago, and I've been using it ever since. - Source: dev.to / about 1 year ago
Ask HN: Who is hiring? (July 2025)
Appwrite | Remote | Platform Engineers, AI, Interns | https://www.appwrite.careers Appwrite (https://appwrite.io) is an open-source backend platform that helps developers build secure web and mobile apps faster. We’re hiring engineers across multiple teams to improve infrastructure, expand developer tooling, and scale our platform. Open roles: – Platform Engineer. - Source: Hacker News / about 1 year ago
Build a React File Sharing App with Granular Access Controls (ReBAC)
Appwrite is a backend-as-a-service platform that provides authentication, storage, and database. Appwrite is used for authentication and storage. - Source: dev.to / over 1 year ago