A folder on a NAS or self-hosted cloud can be awkward to use when a Windows application expects a drive letter. Copying files into a sync folder creates a local copy to manage, while some tools do not work with a provider-specific interface. Pier is built for that gap: it presents remote storage in Explorer as a drive, so file-based applications can access it through the usual Windows paths.
The remote folder becomes a drive
Pier connects to storage served over WebDAV, SFTP or NFS and mounts it as a Windows drive letter. The developer lists Nextcloud and ownCloud as WebDAV examples, along with Synology and QNAP devices. SFTP connections use SSH, and the NFS support is for NFSv3 exports.
The intended workflow is straightforward: connect Pier to a supported server, mount the storage, then open its files from Explorer or an application. The point is not to add a special plugin to every tool. Office software, backup utilities, media players and scripts that already work with files can use the mounted location, according to the product description.
That makes Pier a different sort of answer from a conventional sync client. It is meant to expose remote files in place, rather than make a separate sync folder the centre of the workflow. The assumption is that you already have a compatible server and can supply whatever connection details it requires. The available information does not describe the setup screens or authentication options, so those details should not be taken for granted.
The cache helps, but is not a full mirror
Pier says it reads files in blocks into a local disk cache, transferring the parts that are opened rather than pulling every file down in advance. It also claims that interrupted transfers can resume, and that the drive can reconnect after a Wi-Fi interruption or VPN reconnect. These are useful behaviours for remote storage, where a dropped connection can otherwise interrupt ordinary file work.
The important boundary is the word cache. Offline mode is described as working from cached data when the server cannot be reached. That does not make the entire remote share available offline: files or portions that have not been cached may not be usable until the connection returns. If your requirement is a complete local copy of every file, this is not described as a replacement for that approach.
A mounted drive also depends on the server being reachable for uncached data. Pier may reconnect automatically after certain network interruptions, but that is not the same as removing the network dependency. Users who need predictable access on a plane, in a disconnected office, or while travelling should consider how much of their working set will actually be in the cache.
Backup is a separate part of the pitch
The developer also says Pier includes Pier Backup, which makes encrypted, versioned backups to WebDAV, SFTP, S3 or NFS. That extends the app beyond mounting storage, but it is worth keeping the two jobs distinct: the drive feature exposes files to Windows applications, while the backup feature is for maintaining backup copies. The supplied details do not explain its restore process or scheduling controls, so those are sensible points to check before relying on it for recovery.
Pier has a free plan with a paid upgrade. It runs on Windows, including Windows desktop and server editions listed by its developer. Windows is the boundary here: this is not a cross-platform client for people who need the same mounted-drive workflow on macOS or Linux.
Who should use it
Pier is aimed at people and small teams with files on a self-hosted cloud service or NAS who want those files available in Explorer without routing their workflow through a sync folder. Administrators who need SFTP or NFS storage presented on Windows machines are another clear fit.
It is less suitable for someone without a compatible server, someone who needs a full offline copy rather than a cache, or anyone looking for a client that runs across operating systems. For Windows users whose applications need a drive letter and whose storage already speaks a supported protocol, Pier addresses a specific integration problem. Its usefulness depends on accepting the limits of remote access and cached offline files.
Mount WebDAV, SFTP and NFS storage as a Windows drive