Best Self Hosted Alternatives to Filemail

copyparty is a lightweight, portable file server you can run on almost any device. It provides a fast web interface for browsing and uploading files, plus multiple optional network protocols for interoperability with many clients.

Key Features

• High-performance, resumable uploads and downloads optimized for browsers
• Web-based file browser with drag-and-drop uploads and folder uploads
• Optional deduplication for uploads to reduce duplicate storage
• Built-in media indexing and search, plus thumbnail generation
• Multi-protocol access including HTTP/HTTPS, WebDAV, SFTP, FTP/FTPS, TFTP, and optional SMB/CIFS
• Share links and access controls with per-user and per-folder permissions
• Event hooks for automations on uploads, renames, and other filesystem events
• Optional Prometheus metrics export

Use Cases

• Personal or home lab file drop and “NAS frontend” with a simple web UI
• Fast LAN file transfers between devices and platforms using WebDAV/SFTP/FTP
• Temporary sharing of files or folders via time-limited links

Limitations and Considerations

• Some protocols and features depend on optional components and platform support; not all environments provide the same capabilities
• SMB/CIFS support is described as unsafe/slow and is generally not recommended for WAN use

copyparty is a practical choice when you want a single, easy-to-run file server with strong browser uploads, rich browsing features, and broad protocol support. Its modular approach lets you keep deployments minimal while enabling advanced capabilities when needed.

Cloudreve is a self-hosted file management and sharing system designed to run as a personal or team cloud drive. It supports multiple storage backends (local and third-party/object storage) while providing a unified web interface for uploads, organization, and sharing.

Key Features

• Multiple storage providers, including local storage and S3-compatible object storage
• Multi-user and group support for team and organization use
• File and folder sharing via public links with expiration controls
• WebDAV access across supported storage backends
• Drag-and-drop uploads with parallel and resumable transfer support
• Archive preview, batch download, and compress/extract operations
• Media preview (video, audio, images) and online preview/editing for common document types
• Metadata extraction and search by tags/metadata

Use Cases

• Personal cloud drive as an alternative to hosted file sync and sharing services
• Team file portal with controlled sharing links and group-based access
• Unified front-end for managing files across local and object storage backends

Limitations and Considerations

• Some advanced capabilities (for example online document editing or background download integrations) may depend on integrating external components.

Cloudreve fits well for users who want a polished, web-based drive with sharing and WebDAV access while keeping control of data placement across different storage backends. Its multi-user features make it suitable for both personal setups and small teams.

transfer.sh is a lightweight file sharing service designed for quick uploads and downloads from the command line. It provides simple HTTP endpoints that return shareable links and supports multiple storage backends for running your own instance.

Key Features

• Upload files via standard HTTP clients (for example, curl) and receive a shareable URL
• Optional download limits and retention controls via request headers (Max-Downloads, Max-Days)
• Multiple storage providers: local filesystem, S3-compatible object storage, Google Drive, and Storj
• Deletion support via a dedicated delete URL returned in response headers
• Optional server-side encryption/decryption via request headers (intended for trusted self-hosted use)
• Access controls and safety options such as IP allow/deny lists, rate limiting, size limits, and optional ClamAV prescan

Use Cases

• Sharing large files from servers or CI jobs without setting up a full collaboration suite
• Temporary transfer of logs, builds, or artifacts with automatic expiry and download caps
• Running an internal “pastebin for files” with configurable storage and access policies

transfer.sh is best suited for simple, ephemeral file exchange workflows where a minimal HTTP interface is preferred. With configurable storage backends and operational controls, it can be adapted for both personal and small-team deployments.

FilePizza is a web app for peer-to-peer file transfers directly between browsers using WebRTC. It avoids an initial upload to a central server, so files are not stored by the service and transfers can be fast and privacy-preserving.

Key Features

• Direct browser-to-browser file transfer over WebRTC (DTLS-encrypted)
• Shareable short/long links for recipients to download
• Multi-file uploads delivered to recipients as a ZIP
• Optional password protection for shared transfers
• Uploader-side progress monitoring and the ability to stop transfers
• Streaming downloads via a Service Worker
• Optional Redis-backed server state for channel metadata
• NAT traversal support via STUN and optional TURN (coturn)

Use Cases

• Sending large files without uploading them to a third-party storage provider
• Quick ad-hoc sharing of files between teammates or devices
• Temporary, link-based distribution where the sender stays online during transfer

Limitations and Considerations

• The uploader must keep the browser open until the transfer completes
• Practical file size limits depend on browser/device memory and stability
• Some networks/NAT setups may require TURN for reliable connectivity

FilePizza is well-suited for lightweight, ephemeral file sharing where you want direct peer-to-peer transfers and minimal server-side storage. It can be deployed as a hosted instance while keeping transfers end-to-end between participants.

miniserve is a small, self-contained CLI tool that serves local files and directories over HTTP with minimal setup. It provides a web UI for browsing content and supports common sharing features like authentication, uploads, and on-the-fly downloads.

Key Features

• Serve a directory or single file with automatic directory listings
• Correct MIME type handling out of the box
• Single static binary with no runtime dependencies
• Optional basic authentication (including hashed passwords or auth file)
• TLS support for HTTPS serving
• File uploads, optional directory creation, and optional deletion controls
• On-the-fly folder downloads as .tar.gz or .zip
• WebDAV support and HTTP range requests
• SPA mode, pretty URLs, and optional custom headers
• QR code display for quick access from mobile devices

Use Cases

• Quickly share files on a LAN for ad-hoc collaboration or device transfers
• Serve a static site or SPA locally for testing and demos
• Lightweight file drop or upload endpoint for small teams and temporary workflows

Limitations and Considerations

• Intended for lightweight sharing and quick setups rather than complex web hosting scenarios
• TLS support may vary by target architecture depending on build features

miniserve is a pragmatic choice when you need an easy, fast way to expose files over HTTP without deploying a full web server stack. Its single-binary approach and built-in sharing features make it especially useful for quick, temporary, or local file distribution.

OnionShare is an open-source application that enables secure, anonymous file transfers, temporary website hosting, and private chat by running services as Tor onion services. It provides both a desktop GUI and a command-line tool plus mobile clients developed with partner projects. (onionshare.org)

Key Features

• Share files via an ephemeral Tor onion service with one-time or time-limited access.
• Host a static website over an onion address for private, temporary publishing.
• Private chat mode that runs as an onion-hosted web chat session.
• Desktop GUI and CLI interfaces; platform packaging for Windows, macOS, and Linux (Flatpak/Snap).
• Mobile clients developed in collaboration with partner projects for Android and iOS.
• Integrates with the Tor control interface and uses Tor-related libraries and tooling for onion services. (github.com)

Use Cases

• Send large files privately between two people without relying on third-party cloud storage.
• Publish an internal or temporary static website to a small, private audience via an onion address.
• Run an ephemeral, private chat session reachable only by users with the onion URL.

Limitations and Considerations

• Performance and responsiveness are constrained by the Tor network (latency and throughput) and are not comparable to clearnet transfers.
• Packaging and dependency constraints have affected some platforms (for example, ARM/armhf packaging challenges related to Qt/PySide availability). (github.com)
• The project uses Python web components where upstream changes can require maintenance (e.g., noted framework deprecations/warnings). (github.com)

OnionShare is a mature, actively maintained open-source project focused on privacy-preserving file sharing and short-lived hosting using Tor. It is well-suited for users who need ad-hoc private exchanges without using centralized services, while accepting Tor-related performance and packaging trade-offs. (github.com)

MicroBin is a small, self-contained pastebin web application for sharing text snippets, files, and URL redirects. It focuses on simple deployment, strong security options, and flexible sharing controls.

Key Features

• Text pastes, file uploads, and URL shortening/redirection in one service
• Multiple encryption modes (including client-side and server-side options)
• Expiration controls (auto-expiring or never expiring) and visibility controls (public/private)
• Raw text/file serving for direct access to uploaded content
• QR code generation for easy cross-device sharing
• Single-binary deployment with low resource usage
• Storage backends including SQLite and JSON

Use Cases

• Sharing code snippets or logs between machines and teammates
• Securely sending files or sensitive notes via password-protected links
• Running a lightweight internal URL shortener and redirect service

Limitations and Considerations

• Designed for simple sharing workflows rather than full cloud-drive features like sync, versioning, or collaborative editing

MicroBin is a solid choice when you need a compact paste-and-share service that is easy to run and offers practical security and expiration features. It fits well for personal servers, teams, and lightweight internal tooling.

FileGator is a self-hosted, open-source web application for managing files and folders through a modern browser UI. It supports multiple users with roles and permissions and can work with local storage or external providers via storage adapters.

Key Features

• Multi-user accounts with roles, permissions, and per-user home folders
• Core file operations: upload, download, copy, move, rename, delete, create, edit, and preview
• Chunked, resumable uploads with drag-and-drop and progress indication
• Bulk download and on-the-fly ZIP/unzip support
• Pluggable storage backends (local filesystem and third-party storage via adapters)
• Designed to run without a mandatory database (depending on chosen adapters)

Use Cases

• Provide a simple web-based alternative to FTP/SFTP for teams
• Collect uploads from students, clients, or field workers into controlled folders
• Manage and transfer files across local and supported cloud/object storage backends

Limitations and Considerations

• Symlinks and file ownership changes (chown) are not supported in typical local adapter usage
• Very large numbers of files in a single directory can reduce performance

FileGator is a practical solution for browser-based file administration and sharing with access control. It fits well for small to mid-sized deployments that need a lightweight, extensible file manager with optional external storage integration.

Zipline is a ShareX/file upload server that provides a single web dashboard and API for uploading, managing and sharing files and shortened URLs. It focuses on an easy Docker-based setup, a modern SPA dashboard, and integrations for embeds and webhooks.

Key Features

• Web dashboard and gallery for browsing, tagging and organizing uploads (folders, tags, pagination).
• ShareX-compatible upload endpoints and a public API for programmatic uploads and administration.
• URL shortening with customizable link formats and management UI.
• Embed generation (OG metadata) and automatic Discord/HTTP webhook notifications for uploads and shortened links.
• Authentication: OAuth2 (Discord, GitHub, Google, OIDC), 2FA and optional Passkeys; password-protected files and invites.
• Media handling: on-the-fly image compression, video thumbnail generation, and support for many file types (text rendering, syntax highlighting, PDFs, asciinema, etc.).
• Partial/chunked uploads for large files, quotas per user, and custom themes for UI customization.
• Storage flexibility: local disk default with optional S3-compatible storage backends.
• Docker / Docker Compose deployment and development tooling (pnpm, Vite, TypeScript, Prisma, PostgreSQL).

Use Cases

• Self-hosted file sharing for teams or communities with ShareX integration and audit metrics.
• Hosting and managing user-uploaded media with embed metadata for chat platforms and automated notifications.
• Private or public URL shortening service combined with file hosting for quick link/file distribution.

Limitations and Considerations

• Major rewrite: v4 is a ground-up rewrite and there is no automatic upgrade path from v3; data export from v3 and import into v4 is required.
• Repository has recorded security advisories; operators should review advisories and run recommended updates before production use.
• Runs as a full Node.js application with a database and therefore requires proper resource planning (Postgres, storage, Docker) for larger-scale deployments.

Zipline provides a complete, opinionated stack for file uploads and link shortening with a modern web UI and first-class integrations. Its focus on easy Docker deployment, a full API, and media/embed features make it suitable for personal instances, small teams, and community services.

PicoShare is a minimalist, open-source service for uploading and sharing files. It provides direct download links for uploaded files, preserves original filenames and metadata, and avoids re-encoding or resizing media.

Key Features

• Direct download links for uploaded files, with no ads or required signups for recipients
• Supports arbitrary file types and sizes; no automatic re-encoding or resizing of media
• Simple admin interface protected by a shared secret for managing uploads and links
• Multiple deployment options: run from source or run an official container image
• Optional data replication support using a WAL-based replication tool for cloud backups
• Uses an embedded SQL database for file metadata and storage index to minimize operational complexity

Use Cases

• Quick one-off file sharing between collaborators without creating accounts
• Private media distribution where original file fidelity must be preserved (images, audio, video)
• Lightweight internal file drop service for small teams or personal servers

Limitations and Considerations

• Not designed for multi-writer clustered deployments: concurrent writes across multiple instances are not synchronized
• Maintained as a hobby/open-source project; scope is intentionally limited and some feature requests may be declined due to maintainer bandwidth
• For large-scale or enterprise use, additional monitoring, backup planning, and storage provisioning will be required

PicoShare is best suited where a simple, privacy-conscious, and low-overhead file sharing service is needed. It is straightforward to deploy and integrates into standard container-based workflows for small-scale production or personal use.

Chibisafe is a modern file vault and uploading service designed to store files, photos, documents, and more, then share them via direct links. It focuses on performance with a robust API and chunked uploads to handle large files reliably.

Key Features

• Chunked uploads for large files to reduce failures on unstable connections
• Shareable direct links for uploaded files
• Albums/folders with share links
• Snippets/gists with direct links
• File management features including tagging
• User accounts, invite-only mode, quotas, and API keys for programmatic uploads
• Built-in URL shortener
• Admin dashboard to manage instance configuration (limits, rate limiting, allowed extensions, metadata)
• Integrations such as ShareX support, browser extension, and iOS shortcut
• Optional S3-compatible storage support

Use Cases

• Personal or team file drop for sharing screenshots, recordings, and documents
• Private media vault with folders/albums and lightweight file organization
• Programmatic uploads from scripts and tools using API keys

Chibisafe provides a polished UI and practical integrations while remaining flexible for public or controlled-access deployments. It is well-suited for anyone who wants an efficient, link-based alternative to hosted file sharing services.

Gokapi is a lightweight, self-hosted file sharing server designed for sharing files via expiring download links. It focuses on controlled uploads (no public upload) and supports encryption and optional S3-compatible storage for flexible deployments.

Key Features

• Expiring file shares based on time and/or number of downloads
• User management with role-based permissions; only registered users can upload
• Built-in encryption support, including end-to-end encrypted uploads
• File deduplication to reduce storage usage for identical uploads
• Optional storage backend support for AWS S3 and S3-compatible providers
• OpenID Connect (OIDC) authentication integration for SSO
• REST API for automation and integration
• Customizable web UI via custom CSS and JavaScript

Use Cases

• Secure one-off file delivery with automatic link and file expiration
• Internal team file drop for controlled sharing without public uploads
• Automated file distribution workflows using the REST API

Limitations and Considerations

• Designed for simple file sharing rather than full sync/collaboration (not a cloud drive)
• Some advanced features (S3 backends, SSO) require additional configuration

Gokapi is a strong choice when you need an easy-to-run, privacy-focused file sharing service with expiring links and modern authentication options. Its lightweight Go-based implementation and optional S3 storage make it suitable for both homelabs and small teams.

Palmr. is an open-source file sharing and transfer platform designed as a self-hosted alternative to services like WeTransfer. It focuses on privacy and security, providing a web interface and API to upload, manage, and share files without tracking.

Key Features

• Upload, manage, and share files via a modern web interface
• Share links with access control features such as password protection
• Custom share links for easier distribution
• Folder organization to group and share content
• User management and account features (including password recovery)
• Storage options including local filesystem storage and optional S3-compatible object storage
• Lightweight setup using SQLite for metadata storage

Use Cases

• Securely share large files with clients or teammates using password-protected links
• Replace third-party file transfer services for internal or privacy-sensitive workflows
• Provide a simple upload portal to receive files from external users

Limitations and Considerations

• The project is labeled as beta and is not recommended for production environments yet

Palmr. is a practical choice for teams and individuals who want full control over file transfers, with straightforward deployment and optional scalable storage when needed.

Enclosed is a minimalistic web application for sending private notes and file attachments using end-to-end encryption. Notes are encrypted in the browser so the server stores only ciphertext and cannot read the content.

Key Features

• Client-side end-to-end encryption with AES-GCM and keys derived via PBKDF2
• Zero-knowledge storage: server only receives encrypted payloads plus limited metadata
• Optional password protection in addition to the secure link key
• Expiration (TTL) and delete-after-reading (self-destruct) options
• Secure file attachments alongside notes
• Optional email/password authentication for creating notes
• Responsive minimal UI with dark mode and internationalization
• CLI for creating and viewing notes from the terminal

Use Cases

• Securely share credentials, recovery codes, or sensitive snippets with expiring links
• Send confidential one-time notes to teammates or clients
• Share private files quickly without giving the server access to contents

Limitations and Considerations

• Losing the note link (and password, if set) makes the content unrecoverable by design
• The service stores metadata such as TTL and whether a note is password-protected

Enclosed is well-suited for teams or individuals who need quick, secure, ephemeral sharing with a simple interface. Its zero-knowledge design and optional self-destruct controls help reduce exposure when exchanging sensitive information.

PsiTransfer is a lightweight open-source server for self-hosted file sharing. It provides a minimal, mobile-friendly web UI and a small REST-like backend to upload, store and share files without accounts or logins.

Key Features

• No accounts or logins required; simple share-by-link workflow
• Resumable uploads (uses the tus upload approach) and streaming support for very large files
• Configurable retention/expiry per upload bucket and one-time-download option
• Download-all as ZIP or tar.gz archives generated on demand
• Password-protected download lists (AES-based protection for lists) and optional admin page for bucket info
• Minimal Vue.js frontend (small gzipped assets) and Pug templates for simple customization
• Docker image available for quick deployment; can also be run via npm/Node.js

Use Cases

• Share very large media files (video, datasets) with clients or collaborators without third-party cloud storage
• Temporary file exchange / dropbox-style ephemeral links for contractors, clients or teams
• Lightweight public upload portal for collecting files with automatic expiry and optional password protection

Limitations and Considerations

• End-to-end payload encryption is not implemented; files are stored unencrypted on the server unless you add external encryption wrappers
• "Download all as ZIP" does not support resuming downloads
• The project has had security advisories in the past (e.g., path-traversal / unrestricted upload issues) that were addressed in later releases; administrators should run up-to-date releases and follow secure deployment practices

PsiTransfer is suitable when you need a simple, self-hostable, resumable file-transfer endpoint without the overhead of full collaboration suites. It is focused on simplicity and large-file handling rather than advanced access controls or built-in end-to-end encryption.

Plik is a scalable temporary file upload and sharing service, similar to WeTransfer, designed for quick uploads and controlled file distribution. It provides a web interface, a command-line client, and an HTTP API, with flexible storage and metadata backends.

Key Features

• Web UI for uploading and sharing files
• Cross-platform CLI client for scripted and terminal-based uploads
• HTTP API for managing uploads and downloading files
• Multiple data backends (local filesystem, S3-compatible object storage, OpenStack Swift, Google Cloud Storage)
• Multiple metadata backends (SQLite, PostgreSQL, MySQL)
• Expiration controls (custom TTL), OneShot downloads, streaming mode, and uploader-controlled removal
• Optional protection features such as Basic Auth, upload tokens, and source IP restrictions
• Admin CLI and admin web UI for user and upload management

Use Cases

• Share large files with time-limited download links
• Provide a simple internal “drop” service for teams and automation scripts
• Create controlled one-time or stream-only transfers for sensitive handoffs

Limitations and Considerations

• Security headers may prevent browser rendering of certain content (for example PDF/audio/video) unless adjusted in configuration
• Built-in third-party authentication options depend on external providers (for example Google)

Plik fits well for organizations that need a lightweight, self-managed file sharing portal with strong operational flexibility. Its combination of UI, CLI, and API makes it suitable for both end users and automated workflows.

Transfer.zip is an open-source file-sharing solution that can be self-hosted for reliable file delivery and simple sharing workflows. It supports both stored, resumable uploads as well as real-time, end-to-end encrypted peer-to-peer transfers in the browser.

Key Features

• Resumable and reliable uploads using the tus protocol
• Stored transfers with expiry and automatic deletion
• Optional storage backends: local disk or S3-compatible object storage
• Quick Transfers: browser-based peer-to-peer file sending via WebRTC with end-to-end encryption (AES-GCM)
• Transfer requests to collect files from others via shareable upload links
• Send transfers to recipients via email
• Basic customization/branding for transfer pages and emails (with current S3 requirement)

Use Cases

• Self-hosted alternative to WeTransfer-style “upload then share a link” workflows
• Peer-to-peer sharing for sensitive files without server-side storage
• Collecting files from clients or teammates using upload-request links

Limitations and Considerations

• Quick Transfers require both parties to be online at the same time
• Some browsers/devices may have issues with Quick Transfers (notably Safari and Firefox mobile)
• Peer-to-peer connectivity can be impacted by restrictive networks; relaying may be used in some cases

Transfer.zip is a solid choice for teams and individuals who want a privacy-conscious file sharing service with both scalable stored uploads and encrypted real-time transfers. Its modern web stack and storage flexibility make it suitable for personal servers and larger deployments alike.

Sharry is a self-hosted web application that provides simple, privacy-conscious file sharing. It offers both send and receive workflows, resumable uploads, and a web client plus a REST API for automation and integration.

Key Features

• Resumable uploads implemented via the tus protocol, enabling reliable large-file uploads and resume after network interruptions.
• Bidirectional workflows: authenticated users can publish download links; anonymous users can upload to user-managed alias pages.
• Multiple storage backends: supports storing files on the filesystem, inside the database, or in S3-compatible object storage.
• Relational database support for metadata and optional file storage: PostgreSQL, MariaDB, and H2 are supported.
• Download-friendly behavior using ETag and HTTP range requests to enable partial downloads and in-browser video seeking.
• REST API exposing core functionality for scripting and integration with other systems.
• Access controls for public shares: configurable lifetime, optional password protection, and download limits.
• Web-based management UI and email notification capabilities when configured.
• Packaging and deployment options including Debian packages, Docker, and Nix/NixOS integrations.

Use Cases

• Team file exchange: share large artifacts, logs, or media with coworkers via short-lived, password-protected links.
• External collection: allow customers or partners to upload files to a named alias page without requiring accounts.
• Automated workflows: integrate Sharry into CI, backup, or content pipelines using the REST API and supported storage backends.

Sharry combines a resilient upload stack with multiple storage and database options to fit varied infrastructure needs. Its focus is on straightforward file exchange, resumability, and integration points for automation and self-hosted deployments.

XBackBone is a simple, self-hosted PHP file manager that integrates with ShareX and similar clients. It supports uploading, viewing, and sharing a wide range of file types through a web UI with multi-user management and a media gallery.

Key Features

• Multiple clients supported: ShareX, Screencloud, uPic, …
• Config generator for ShareX, Screencloud
• Low memory footprint
• Multiple backends support: Local storage, AWS S3, Google Cloud, Azure Blob Storage, Dropbox, FTP(s)
• Web file upload
• Code uploads syntax highlighting
• Video and audio uploads webplayer
• PDF viewer
• Files preview page
• Bootswatch themes support
• Responsive theme for mobile use
• Multi language support
• User management, multi user features, roles and disk quota
• Public and private uploads
• Logging system
• Share to Telegram
• Linux supported via a per-user custom generated script (server and desktop)
• Direct downloads using curl or wget commands
• Direct image links support on Discord, Telegram, Facebook, etc.
• System updates without FTP or CLI
• Easy web installer
• LDAP authentication
• Registration system
• Automatic uploads tagging system
• Tag uploads with custom tags for categorization
• … and more.

Use Cases

• Self-hosted file sharing for teams with per-user management and quotas, enabling controlled access and auditing.
• Public or private media galleries with search and preview capabilities for organizations or communities.
• Streamlined workflow for uploading via ShareX and other clients to a centralized storage backend.

Limitations and Considerations

Conclusion

XBackBone provides a compact, self-hosted solution for organized file sharing with broad backend support and a familiar workflow for ShareX users. It ships with web-based installation, multi-user features, and extensive file-type support for everyday file management needs.

Uguu is a simple, lightweight file hosting service focused on fast temporary uploads and sharing. It provides a minimal web interface for quick uploads and an API for automation, and can also be configured for more permanent hosting.

Key Features

• One-click uploads with no registration required
• Drag-and-drop and clipboard paste uploads in a modern, minimal web UI
• Upload API with multiple response formats (JSON, HTML, text, CSV)
• Compatibility with screenshot tools such as ShareX
• File extension and MIME type allow/deny listing
• Upload rate limiting and file hash blacklisting
• Works with common deployments (for example Nginx with PHP)

Use Cases

• Temporary sharing of files via short-lived links
• Automated uploads from scripts or tools using the HTTP API
• Personal or team upload endpoint for screenshots and quick file transfers

Limitations and Considerations

• Instances are often configured with file expiry/retention rules, which may not suit long-term storage without customization

Uguu is a practical choice when you need a small, straightforward upload service that is easy to deploy and operate. Its combination of a simple UI and a flexible API makes it suitable for both manual and automated workflows.