Best Self Hosted Alternatives to MASV

AList is a web-based file listing and sharing application that unifies many storage providers behind a single interface. It provides browser access and WebDAV access, with rich previews and optional protection per path.

Key Features

• Connect multiple storage backends (local storage and many cloud and network providers)
• WebDAV server support for accessing files via standard clients
• File previews for common formats (images, audio, video, office documents, PDF, Markdown, code, plain text)
• Protected routes with password protection and authentication
• Web-based file operations such as upload, delete, create folders, rename, move, and copy
• Cross-storage copy and offline download support (including torrent-based offline download)
• Package/batch download support and download acceleration options
• Dark mode, internationalization, and permalink/direct download features

Use Cases

• Create a unified portal to browse and share files from multiple storage providers
• Provide WebDAV access to cloud drives for desktop and mobile file managers
• Publish media and documents with previews and optional per-folder access control

Limitations and Considerations

• Some storage providers may impose rate limits or account restrictions that can affect performance or reliability
• Feature availability can vary depending on the capabilities and APIs of each configured storage backend

AList is a practical choice when you need a lightweight, deployable file portal that aggregates many backends and exposes them through a modern web UI and WebDAV-compatible access. It is especially useful for homelabs and teams that want a single, consistent way to browse and download files across different storage services.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Erugo is a self-hosted, open-source file-sharing platform that provides a simple web interface for sending and managing files. It combines a Laravel-based backend with a Vue.js frontend and is designed for easy Docker deployment and minimal system requirements.

Key Features

• Multiple-file and folder uploads with progress tracking and large-file resume support
• Human-friendly, memorable share URLs (readable slugs instead of opaque tokens)
• Password protection, expiration dates, and configurable download limits per share
• Built-in dashboard to track downloads, manage shares, revoke access, and view activity
• Customizable branding and theme support for logos, colors, and appearance
• Docker-first deployment with example docker-compose configuration and an included lightweight default database option

(erugo.app)

Use Cases

• Securely transfer design assets, large media files, or project bundles between teams without third-party services
• Temporary file drops for clients or collaborators with password and expiration controls
• Self-hosted alternative to consumer file-transfer sites where data sovereignty and auditability are required

Limitations and Considerations

• The public demo instance has uploads disabled (demo only shows recipient/download view); full functionality requires running your own instance
• Administrators are responsible for configuring storage limits, moderation, security, and compliance for their deployment

Erugo is intended for organisations and individuals who prefer self-hosted file sharing with control over data and customization. It is open-source (MIT) and designed to run on modest resources while scaling up for larger deployments.

(github.com)

QuickDrop is a self-hosted file sharing application that enables anonymous uploads with chunked transfers, configurable lifetimes, and per-file access controls. It provides an admin dashboard for managing storage, cleanup schedules, notifications, and privacy settings.

Key Features

• Anonymous uploads with chunked transfer support for reliable large-file uploads
• Folder uploads with preserved structure and manifest handling
• Per-file controls: passwords, hidden (link-only) files, keep indefinitely, and visibility toggles
• Token-based share links with expiration dates and download limits; QR code generation for links
• Optional encryption at rest for stored files and server-side session tokens for access control
• Built-in previews for images and text, plus extended previews for PDF/CSV/JSON with syntax highlighting
• Admin single-page UI for file list/history, search, pagination, extend/delete actions, and runtime settings
• Notifications via SMTP and Discord webhooks with batching and test actions
• Scheduled cleanup tasks for expired files, tokens, and DB maintenance

Use Cases

• Share large files temporarily without requiring user accounts for ad-hoc transfers
• Host a private file-drop service for teams to collect uploads with optional password protection and expiries
• Maintain a small-scale public file sharing endpoint with admin-managed retention and audit logging

Limitations and Considerations

• Default deployment uses SQLite which is convenient for small or single-node setups but can limit concurrency and horizontal scaling
• Designed primarily as a single-instance service; no built-in clustering or object-storage integration by default

QuickDrop is focused on simple, privacy-minded file sharing with granular per-file controls and an easy admin experience. It is well suited for small teams, labs, or personal self-hosted environments that need temporary file exchange and retention policies.

015 is a self-hosted temporary file and text sharing platform designed for one-time and short-lived uploads. It combines a modern Vue/Nuxt frontend with a Go backend and supports chunked uploads, frontend file-hash detection for instant transfer, and background processing for file tasks.

Key Features

• Chunked, high-performance uploads with frontend hashing and instant-transfer detection to avoid duplicate uploads
• Concurrent processing using frontend web workers and a backend worker queue for asynchronous tasks
• Image processing including automatic compression and preview support for images, video, audio, and documents
• Share management with configurable password protection, download count limits, expiration times, and pickup codes
• Download access control using JWT-based tokens and Redis for caching share metadata
• Responsive UI built with Vue 3, Nuxt 3, TypeScript and Tailwind CSS; backend written in Go with an Asynq-based worker system

Use Cases

• Quickly share large files or snippets as one-time or temporary links with expiration and access limits
• Public or private file drops with password or pickup-code protection for ad-hoc collaboration
• Automatic image compression and preview for sending media without manual processing

Limitations and Considerations

• Default storage uses the local filesystem; cloud object storage adapters are not provided out of the box
• Resume-upload behavior has partial support; backend-side resumed-part enumeration is listed as a planned improvement

015 is suitable for teams and individuals needing ephemeral, controlled file sharing without a third‑party service. It emphasizes fast uploads, access controls, and simple lifecycle management for temporary content.

YeetFile is a privacy-focused file sending service and personal vault that encrypts content client-side so the server cannot decrypt stored or transferred data. It provides both a web UI and a CLI client, and is designed for easy self-hosting with Docker and standard infrastructure components.

Key Features

• Client-side end-to-end encryption for files and text so servers cannot decrypt content
• "Send" mode: create shareable links with configurable expiration and limited download counts
• "Vault" mode: file and password storage, folder organization, and per-user read/write sharing
• Optional password protection on shared links and text transfers (text up to 2000 characters)
• Multiple storage backends supported: local filesystem, S3-compatible object stores, and Backblaze B2
• Official CLI with parity to web client and a browser-based web UI
• Deployable via docker-compose or systemd; requires PostgreSQL for metadata
• Admin features for instance management, user administration, and logging suggestions

Use Cases

• Securely send sensitive files or one-off secrets with expiring, limited-download links
• Host a personal/team vault for encrypted file and password storage with folder-level sharing
• Run a privacy-preserving file transfer service for an organization that must retain control of storage

Limitations and Considerations

• Send transfers have configurable limits: maximum expiration is 30 days and maximum downloads per link is 10
• Server-side metadata (file size, owner ID, timestamps) is visible even though file contents and filenames are encrypted
• Some features (paid upgrades, payment recycling) rely on external payment providers and require additional configuration

YeetFile is well suited for users and teams that need a self-hosted, privacy-first file transfer and vault solution. It emphasizes strong client-side encryption and flexible deployment, while requiring a PostgreSQL database and standard container tooling for production deployments.

Files Sharing is a lightweight, self-hosted file sharing application built on Laravel. It provides WeTransfer-like bundles that can be previewed or downloaded and stores bundle metadata as JSON files in storage to avoid a full database dependency.

Key Features

• Bundle-based sharing with two link types: preview (view & ZIP) and direct download
• JSON-based storage for bundle metadata (no mandatory database) and optional SQLite support
• Authorization codes and optional password protection for bundle access
• Uploader access control via IP allowlist and/or user login credentials
• Expiration, max-download counters and a background garbage collector to remove expired bundles
• Download rate limiting and optional ZIP archive download of an entire bundle
• Drag-and-drop uploads with support for multiple files and incremental additions to existing bundles
• Multilingual UI (English, French, German, Korean) and Docker / Docker Compose deployment

Use Cases

• Securely send large files to external recipients with expiring, code-protected links
• Temporary client delivery of assets where download counts and expirations must be enforced
• Internal transfers in small teams or projects without deploying a full database-backed file service

Limitations and Considerations

• Designed for small-to-medium workloads: JSON file metadata and synchronous ZIP creation can limit scalability under heavy concurrent use
• Large-file handling requires tuning PHP and webserver settings (post_max_size, upload_max_filesize, client_max_body_size) and appropriate memory limits
• Background cleanup relies on the Laravel scheduler or cron to run periodic purge commands
• Some optional features (hashing for duplicate detection) are limited by configurable file-size thresholds to avoid high CPU/memory costs

Files Sharing provides a pragmatic, easy-to-deploy solution for temporary file distribution and controlled uploads. It is suitable for self-hosted use where simplicity and minimal infrastructure are priorities, with Docker images and a straightforward standalone install path.

Lufin is a modern self-hosted file-sharing service that provides secure, temporary file sharing with rich client-side features. It offers optional end-to-end encryption, flexible storage backends, and a static frontend optimized for performance.

Key Features

• Optional client-side end-to-end encryption (AES-GCM) with zero-knowledge design
• Support for S3-compatible storage (MinIO, Cloudflare R2) and multiple databases (PostgreSQL, MongoDB, SQLite)
• Rich client-side previews for images, audio, video, PDFs, spreadsheets and archives
• Password protection, delete-after-first-download, and configurable retention rules
• Client-side utilities: EXIF metadata stripping, image compression, archive generation, and automatic renaming
• Fully static frontend built with React and Vite; backend is lightweight and deployable via Docker Compose with automatic HTTPS
• LocalStorage-based link management with import/export and cleanup of expired pages

Use Cases

• Share large files securely between team members or external collaborators with optional password protection
• Temporary public file hosting for event assets, press kits, or media previews with automatic expiration
• Integrate with S3/MinIO object storage for scalable hosting while keeping encryption and access controls on the client side

Limitations and Considerations

• Client-side end-to-end encryption requires JavaScript and will limit server-side processing or embedding unless users opt out of encryption
• Scalability and performance depend on chosen storage backend and database configuration; plan resources accordingly

Lufin is suitable for teams and self-hosting enthusiasts who need a privacy-focused, feature-rich file-sharing platform that integrates with S3-compatible storage and common databases. It emphasizes client-side privacy controls and a lightweight deployment model.

GhostFile is a lightweight ephemeral file upload server implemented in Python that accepts one-time uploads and automatically shuts itself down after a successful transfer. It is distributed as a single self-contained binary (built with PyInstaller) and can also be run from source or inside a Docker container.

Key Features

• One-time, ephemeral uploads: the server stops itself after handling uploads to avoid running as a persistent service.
• Dual operation modes: command-line (CLI) mode when run from a terminal, and an optional desktop GUI when launched from a desktop environment or forced via a flag.
• Single-binary distribution: pre-built self-contained binaries are provided for convenience (Intel x86_64 and ARM64 builds are mentioned).
• Web-based upload UI: a bundled index.html provides a drag-and-drop web interface served on start (default host 0.0.0.0 and port 5000).
• Flexible deployment: can be run directly from source, via the provided binary, or inside Docker (CLI mode only in containers).
• Configurable save location: uploaded files are written to a configurable directory (defaults to ./downloads or the user’s home directory in GUI mode).

Use Cases

• Quickly move files between machines on a local network without setting up a persistent file server.
• Provide an easy drag-and-drop upload endpoint for non-technical users for short-lived transfers.
• Integrate into ad-hoc workflows or scripts where a temporary, single-use file receiver is required.

Limitations and Considerations

• Platform testing is limited: GhostFile is noted as only tested on Linux; Windows and macOS compatibility is likely but not guaranteed, and ARM64 testing is limited.
• Docker runs CLI mode only: GUI mode is not supported when run inside Docker containers.
• Not intended for persistent hosting: GhostFile is explicitly designed as a temporary uploader and is not a replacement for long-running file hosting solutions.

GhostFile is a pragmatic tool for short-lived file transfers: compact to run, simple to operate, and designed to minimize the window in which a file-receiving service is exposed. It is best suited for occasional LAN transfers and ad-hoc sharing where a persistent server would be unnecessary.

Shifter is a lightweight, self-hosted file sharing web application built with Django and Tailwind CSS. It provides a simple web UI to upload files, create shareable download links, and manage uploads and account permissions.

Key Features

• Web-based multi-file uploads with client-side upload handling and automatic zip archive creation for multiple files
• Configurable expiring download links and automatic deletion of expired files
• User accounts with the ability to create multiple upload accounts and an admin interface for site settings
• Admin controls for maximum file size, default expiry times, and file management (delete or extend)
• Deployable via Docker and Docker Compose; supports local SQLite by default and optional PostgreSQL for production
• Uses modern frontend tooling (Tailwind CSS and JavaScript upload libraries) for a responsive UI

Use Cases

• Temporary large-file sharing between colleagues or external collaborators without relying on third-party services
• A small team or organization hosting a simple file drop service with expiry policies and admin oversight
• Developers or testers needing an easy-to-deploy file sharing endpoint for CI artifacts or build outputs

Limitations and Considerations

• Project is under active development; some features are incomplete and the README notes it may not be production-ready for all use cases
• Default deployment uses SQLite which is fine for small installs but not recommended for high-concurrency production without switching to PostgreSQL
• No built-in object storage integrations documented by default; verify storage configuration and backup strategy before production use

Shifter is suited for users who want a minimal, self-hosted file sharing endpoint with expiry and admin controls. It is straightforward to deploy with Docker Compose and can be adapted to production by enabling PostgreSQL and reviewing configuration settings.

GoSƐ is a modern file uploader designed to scale horizontally by keeping all state in an S3-compatible object storage backend. Uploads and downloads are performed directly against S3 using pre-signed requests, reducing application bandwidth and server load.

Key Features

• S3-compatible backend with no separate database or cache required
• Direct-to-S3 uploads and downloads via pre-signed URLs
• Chunked uploads with browser-side MD5 hashing for content-based deduplication
• Resumable uploads using S3 multi-part uploads (skips already-uploaded chunks)
• User-selectable retention/expiration per upload via S3 lifecycle policies
• Multiple preconfigured buckets/endpoints selectable by users
• Drag-and-drop upload UI with detailed progress, stats, and transfer-speed chart
• Optional notifications (browser, email, and shoutrrr integrations)
• Simple deployment as a single binary or container image

Use Cases

• Large file delivery portals backed by S3/MinIO/Ceph without proxying traffic through the app
• Sharing datasets or build artifacts where resumable uploads are important
• Lightweight upload frontends for object storage with retention policies

Limitations and Considerations

• Currently supports only a single concurrent upload of a single file
• Requires an S3-compatible backend and appropriate CORS/lifecycle feature support for full functionality

GoSƐ is a good fit when you want a simple, low-ops upload service that scales by relying on object storage primitives. Its direct-to-S3 approach minimizes server bandwidth while providing resumable uploads and deduplication for efficient transfers.