What Is a Localtonet File Server Tunnel?
A File Server Tunnel creates a secure, encrypted connection between a folder on your local device and a public Localtonet URL. Anyone with the right credentials can then access, browse, upload, or download files through that URL, directly from your machine, with no third-party storage involved.
Services like Google Drive or Dropbox copy your files to their servers. Localtonet never moves your files anywhere. They stay on your device. The tunnel is just a secure pathway. This means no storage fees, no data retention policies, and no third-party access to your content.
This approach gives you four key advantages that cloud storage cannot match:
Localtonet provides three distinct File Server tunnel types, each designed for a different use case and workflow:
1. Default File Server Tunnel: Feature-Rich & User-Friendly
Default Tunnel
The Default File Server Tunnel is the most powerful option. You select a local folder, and Localtonet instantly makes it accessible through a secure, browser-based file manager. No extra software is needed on the recipient's side. Everything works from a standard web browser.
Key Features
Web-Based File Manager
Browse folders, preview files, download content, and manage directories directly from any browser. No client installation required on either side.
Online File Editor
Edit .txt, .json, .html, .css, .js and other text files directly in the browser. Changes save instantly to your local machine, ideal for quick remote edits or configuration changes.
Password-Protected, Time-Limited Share Links
Generate expiring download links for specific files or folders. Share content with clients or teammates without granting access to the entire tunnel.
Built-In Recycle Bin
Accidentally deleted or overwritten a file? The recycle bin lets you restore it. An essential safety layer for shared team environments.
Granular User Permissions
Create multiple users and assign exactly what each one can do: Read (view and download), Write/Create (upload and modify), or Delete (remove files). All access requires username and password authentication.
End-to-End Encryption
All file operations pass through encrypted Localtonet tunnels. Data in transit is protected from unauthorized interception.
Best For
- Teams sharing project files remotely
- Freelancers delivering work to clients
- Developers needing remote file access
- Anyone wanting a cloud-like experience without the cloud
Not Ideal For
- CI/CD pipelines or scripted file operations
- Users who prefer native OS file system integration
- Automation workflows requiring SFTP clients
2. SFTP File Server Tunnel: For Automated & Technical Workflows
SFTP Tunnel
The SFTP File Server Tunnel is built for users who need compatibility with the broader ecosystem of SFTP tools, automation scripts, and deployment pipelines. If your workflow already uses FileZilla, WinSCP, rsync, or any other SFTP client, you can connect directly to your local machine through Localtonet with zero changes to your existing setup.
SFTP (SSH File Transfer Protocol) is a standard, widely-supported file transfer protocol. It provides encrypted file transfers and is supported natively by nearly every programming language, DevOps tool, and file manager. Unlike FTP, all data is encrypted in transit.
Best For
- Automated backups via scripts
- CI/CD deployment pipelines
- Server-to-local file sync operations
- Developers already using SFTP in their daily workflow
Not Ideal For
- Non-technical users unfamiliar with SFTP clients
- Sharing files with external parties via a browser link
3. WebDAV File Server Tunnel: Native OS Integration
WebDAV Tunnel
The WebDAV File Server Tunnel goes deeper than a file browser or protocol client. It lets you mount your local directory as a network drive directly in your operating system. On Windows, it appears in File Explorer. On macOS, it shows up in Finder. Your remote files feel and behave exactly like local files.
Best For
- Users who want files to feel fully local
- Workflows requiring native app integration
- Teams mounting shared project directories
Not Ideal For
- Sharing files with external users via a link
- High-frequency automated transfers (SFTP is better)
Comparing All Three Tunnel Types
| Feature | Default | SFTP | WebDAV |
|---|---|---|---|
| Browser access | ✓ | ✕ | ✕ |
| Online file editor | ✓ | ✕ | ✕ |
| Time-limited share links | ✓ | ✕ | ✕ |
| Recycle bin / recovery | ✓ | ✕ | ✕ |
| Per-user permissions | ✓ | ~ | ~ |
| Standard SFTP client support | ✕ | ✓ | ✕ |
| CI/CD & script automation | ✕ | ✓ | ✕ |
| Mount as network drive | ✕ | ✕ | ✓ |
| Drag & drop via OS file manager | ✕ | ✕ | ✓ |
| End-to-end encryption | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| No client install needed | ✓ | ✕ | ~ |
Default Tunnel Recommended
SFTP Tunnel
WebDAV Tunnel
Which Tunnel Type Should You Use?
👥 Sharing files with a client or teammate
Use the Default tunnel. Generate a time-limited, password-protected share link for a specific file or folder. The recipient accesses it from any browser. No account or software needed.
⚙️ Automated backups or deployment pipelines
Use the SFTP tunnel. Connect your existing backup scripts or CI/CD tools to your local machine using any standard SFTP client or library.
🖥 Remote editing with your local apps
Use the WebDAV tunnel. Mount your local directory as a network drive and open, edit, and save files using the apps already installed on your system.
👨💻 Remote development on your own machine
Use the Default tunnel. The built-in online editor lets you modify config files, scripts, and code directly from a remote browser without needing SSH or a separate editor setup.
🏢 Team file management with access control
Use the Default tunnel with multi-user permission management. Assign read, write, and delete permissions per user so each team member only accesses what they should.
Platform Support
Localtonet File Server Tunnels run on every major platform. Whether your files live on a personal laptop, a headless Linux server, a virtual machine, or a Docker container, the tunnel connects the same way:
Why Localtonet Instead of Cloud Storage?
When you upload files to Google Drive, Dropbox, or OneDrive, those files are stored on servers you don't control. The provider can access them for moderation, comply with government data requests, change their terms of service, or suffer a breach. With Localtonet, none of this applies. Your files never leave your machine.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I share local files without uploading them to the cloud?
You can use Localtonet's File Server Tunnel to expose any local folder through a secure public URL without uploading files anywhere. Your files stay on your device. The tunnel creates an encrypted connection so authorized users can browse, download, and upload files through a web browser or SFTP/WebDAV client. No cloud storage account or port forwarding is required.
What is a file server tunnel?
A file server tunnel is a secure, encrypted connection between a folder on your local machine and a publicly accessible URL. Instead of copying files to a cloud server, the tunnel routes access requests directly to your device in real time. Localtonet provides three types: Default (browser-based file manager), SFTP (for standard SFTP clients and automation), and WebDAV (for mounting as a network drive in your OS).
Is it safe to expose local files through a tunnel?
Yes, when configured correctly. Localtonet File Server Tunnels use end-to-end encryption for all data in transit. The Default tunnel adds username/password authentication, granular per-user permissions (read, write, delete), and time-limited share links. This means only users you explicitly authorize can access your files, and you can revoke access at any time.
Can I access my home computer files from anywhere?
Yes. As long as Localtonet is running on your home computer and the tunnel is active, you can access your files from any browser or SFTP/WebDAV client, from anywhere in the world. No static IP address, VPN, or router configuration is needed. The Localtonet tunnel handles all the routing securely.
What is the difference between SFTP and WebDAV?
SFTP (SSH File Transfer Protocol) is designed for programmatic file transfers. It works with dedicated SFTP clients like FileZilla or WinSCP, and is ideal for automation scripts, backups, and CI/CD pipelines. WebDAV (Web Distributed Authoring and Versioning) is designed for OS-level integration. It lets you mount a remote directory as a network drive so files appear and behave like local files in Windows Explorer or macOS Finder.
Does Localtonet File Server work on Linux and Docker?
Yes. Localtonet supports Windows, Linux, macOS, Android, and Docker-based environments. All three File Server tunnel types (Default, SFTP, WebDAV) are available on all supported platforms. This makes it suitable for sharing files from headless servers, virtual machines, and containerized environments.
Start Sharing Files Securely, No Cloud Required
Set up a File Server Tunnel in minutes. No port forwarding, no static IP, no cloud subscription.
Get Started Free →