Best Self Hosted Alternatives to MOVEit Transfer

Seafile is an open source file sync and sharing platform designed for private cloud storage and team collaboration. It organizes content into libraries that can be synced independently, with an emphasis on performance, reliability, and privacy.

Key Features

• Library-based storage with per-library syncing and selective sync
• File history and versioning, including conflict handling based on history
• Efficient syncing with content-delta transfer and resumable uploads/downloads
• Sharing and collaboration via shared folders, groups, and upload/download links (including password protection)
• Optional client-side encrypted libraries protected by a user-chosen password
• Drive-style desktop access (virtual drive) with on-demand syncing
• Built-in knowledge management features such as wiki mode, file labels, related documents, and Markdown editing

Use Cases

• Private cloud file sync and sharing for teams with granular library organization
• Secure collaboration on sensitive documents using encrypted libraries
• Internal documentation and lightweight knowledge base using wiki mode and Markdown

Limitations and Considerations

• The full platform is composed of multiple components (server core, web UI, sync clients), which may increase deployment and upgrade complexity compared to single-binary solutions

Seafile is a strong fit for organizations and individuals who want a performant, self-managed alternative to commercial cloud drives, with flexible sharing and optional client-side encryption. Its library model and built-in collaboration features make it well-suited for both personal and team file workflows.

Filestash is a self-hosted, web-based file manager and file sharing portal that provides a unified interface over many storage systems and protocols. It aims to deliver a modern “cloud drive” experience while keeping data in your existing infrastructure through backend connectors.

Key Features

• Unified web UI for multiple backends (including SFTP, S3-compatible storage, FTP/FTPS, WebDAV, SMB, NFS, and Git)
• Share links for files and folders, designed for convenient external access
• Plugin-based architecture for extending storage backends, authentication, UI, and capabilities
• SSO integration options via enterprise identity systems (LDAP, SAML, and OIDC)
• Built-in viewers for common media types (images, audio, video), with optional transcoding support
• Built-in API and gateway-style options to expose underlying storage via protocols such as SFTP and S3

Use Cases

• Provide a web portal for SFTP/S3/WebDAV/SMB/NFS storage without migrating data
• Enable secure file sharing and collaboration over existing network or object storage
• Offer a branded, single entry point to multiple storage systems for teams or customers

Limitations and Considerations

• Some advanced capabilities (connectors, viewers, automation, and integrations) depend on the available plugin set and configuration

Filestash is a good fit when you want a polished, extensible file browser and sharing layer on top of heterogeneous storage. Its plugin system and broad protocol support make it adaptable to both homelab and enterprise environments.

SFTPGo is a full-featured, highly configurable managed file transfer (MFT) server that provides SFTP, FTPS, HTTPS, and WebDAV access to local and cloud storage. It includes web-based administration and a browser file client, plus automation via a REST API.

Key Features

• Multi-protocol server: SFTP, FTPS, HTTPS, and WebDAV for broad client compatibility
• Pluggable storage backends: local filesystem, encrypted local filesystem, S3-compatible object storage, Google Cloud Storage, Azure Blob Storage, and remote SFTP backends
• WebAdmin UI for managing users, groups, permissions, quotas, and virtual folders
• WebClient for browser-based file browsing, uploads, and downloads
• Secure sharing via time-limited HTTPS links with optional passwords and download limits
• Security controls including granular permissions, audit logs, and data-at-rest encryption
• Authentication options including OpenID Connect (SSO) and built-in two-factor authentication
• Event-driven architecture with automation and integration via REST API

Use Cases

• Replace legacy file transfer servers while using modern object storage as the backend
• Provide secure partner file exchange with per-user isolation, quotas, and auditing
• Offer browser-based file access and controlled public sharing without external clients

SFTPGo is well suited for organizations that need a secure file transfer gateway with modern storage backends, strong administration tooling, and API-driven automation while keeping compatibility with standard protocols.

FileBrowser Quantum is a self-hosted web-based file manager for accessing and managing files through a modern, responsive interface. It focuses on fast navigation and search, multi-source configuration, and flexible sharing and access controls.

Key Features

• Web UI for browsing, uploading, downloading, renaming, and managing files and folders
• Multiple configurable sources (mounts/paths) within a single instance
• Indexed search with real-time results, filters, and UI updates as the filesystem changes
• Directory-level access control scoped to users or groups
• Share links with configurable expiration, audience (including anonymous), and permissions
• Authentication options including OIDC, password login with 2FA, and proxy-based auth
• Built-in API with support for long-lived API tokens and a Swagger endpoint
• Media-friendly browsing with thumbnails and previews (including richer handling for common office/video/artwork scenarios)

Use Cases

• Provide a simple web file portal for a server, NAS, or homelab storage
• Securely share files and folders externally with expiring links and scoped permissions
• Offer a lightweight, centrally managed file browsing UI for teams with SSO

Limitations and Considerations

• Indexing is enabled by default and can increase memory usage on very large filesystems
• Some features are still under development (for example jobs, metrics, tags, quotas, activity log)

FileBrowser Quantum is well-suited for users who want a fast, single-binary web file manager with strong access controls, modern UI, and powerful search. It is a fork with significant changes aimed at making installation, configuration, and day-to-day browsing more efficient.

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.

ProjectSend is a clients-oriented file sharing web application designed for securely distributing and collecting files through a simple portal. It focuses on privacy and control, with client accounts, access restrictions, and detailed activity tracking.

Key Features

• Client accounts and client groups for targeted file delivery
• Role-based permissions with granular access controls and custom roles
• Detailed logging and statistics for user/client actions and file access
• Optional server-side file encryption at rest (AES-256-GCM)
• Upload controls such as auto-expiration, disk quotas, and download limits
• Optional client uploads to allow two-way file exchange
• External storage support including S3-compatible destinations
• Multi-language interface with extensive community translations
• Theming and customizable email templates (with editor integration)

Use Cases

• Securely sharing project deliverables and documents with external clients
• Collecting files from customers with controlled access and audit trails
• Replacing ad-hoc email attachments with an organized client portal

Limitations and Considerations

• Requires a PHP-compatible web server and a MySQL database
• Some deployment options (such as community Docker images) may be unofficial and differ from the upstream support model

ProjectSend is a practical choice for teams that need a straightforward, self-managed client file portal with strong permissioning and traceability. It fits well for small businesses and agencies that want controlled file exchange without relying on third-party file sharing services.

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.

FileRise is a modern, lightweight web-based file manager you can run on your own server. It combines a fast file portal UI with granular per-folder access control, sharing, and WebDAV for mounting as a drive.

Key Features

• Granular per-folder ACLs (view, upload, create, edit, rename, move/copy, delete, extract, share) enforced across UI, API, and WebDAV
• Drag-and-drop uploads with chunked/resumable transfers, pause/resume, and progress tracking
• Optional folder-level encryption at rest with automatic disabling of incompatible features for safety
• WebDAV access (ACL-aware) for macOS/Windows/Linux drive mounts and common clients
• File sharing and shared uploads, plus Trash with retention for recovery
• Built-in previews and an in-browser editor for quick edits
• Tags and search for organizing and finding content
• Multi-user auth with optional TOTP 2FA and OIDC SSO (with optional auto-provisioning)
• Optional OnlyOffice integration for editing office documents with your own Document Server

Use Cases

• Personal or family “cloud drive” with permissions and easy sharing
• Team file portal with controlled uploads/downloads and WebDAV drive mapping
• Client-facing delivery and collection workflows using share links and upload-focused access

Limitations and Considerations

• When folder-level encryption is enabled, certain features (notably WebDAV and sharing) are intentionally disabled for compatibility and security.

FileRise aims to stay lightweight while providing enterprise-style permission control and practical usability features like resumable uploads and WebDAV. It is suitable for self-hosters who want a polished file portal without requiring an external database.

nextExplorer is a modern web-based file explorer for browsing and managing mounted folders through a polished, responsive interface. It is designed for teams and homelabs that want controlled access to shared storage, with a Docker-first deployment model.

Key Features

• Local authentication with users and groups, plus optional OpenID Connect (OIDC) SSO
• Volume-based browsing for multiple mounted directories under a configurable root
• Fast previews for images, videos, and PDFs, including thumbnail generation (FFmpeg)
• Built-in text/code editor with syntax highlighting and configurable supported extensions
• Link-based sharing with configurable permissions (read-only or read-write), including guest access
• Filename and content search with ripgrep-backed searching and tunable limits
• Modern UX features like grid/list/column views, drag-and-drop uploads, context menus, and keyboard shortcuts
• Admin-focused controls such as policies, session settings, and auditability options

Use Cases

• Provide authenticated access to NAS or server folders for a small team
• Share project folders with external collaborators via controlled share links
• Lightweight web UI for managing files in a homelab, including previews and quick edits

Limitations and Considerations

• Some advanced document editing capabilities require integrating an external OnlyOffice Document Server
• Deep content search depends on ripgrep availability and may require tuning limits for large datasets

nextExplorer is a practical option when you want a fast, modern file browser with strong access control and convenient previews. Its container-first approach and reverse-proxy friendliness make it suitable for both simple single-host installs and more structured internal deployments.

GoMFT is a web-based managed file transfer (MFT) application built with Go and powered by rclone to move data between many storage providers. It provides a central UI to configure transfer jobs, schedule them, and monitor progress with logs and file-level history.

Key Features

• Create and manage transfer jobs with configurable source/destination settings
• Cron-based scheduling for recurring transfers
• Real-time job monitoring with detailed logs and transfer statistics
• Broad storage backend support via rclone (S3-compatible, WebDAV, SFTP/FTP, SMB/CIFS, local, and more)
• File metadata tracking with history, status, filtering, and retention controls
• Optional archiving of transferred files for compliance/traceability
• Notifications via email and webhooks, plus integrations such as ntfy and Gotify
• Role-based access control and admin-managed user accounts
• Supports external authentication via OpenID Connect/OAuth2 providers

Use Cases

• Scheduled syncs and backups between on-prem storage and cloud object storage
• Managed, auditable file delivery workflows between teams and systems
• Consolidated transfer monitoring and alerting for rclone-based operations

Limitations and Considerations

• Actively under development; configuration and database fields may change between releases
• Requires rclone to be installed and available for transfer execution

GoMFT fits teams that want a lightweight web UI around rclone for repeatable, scheduled transfers with visibility and notifications. It is suitable for both homelabs and small-to-medium environments needing basic MFT capabilities without heavy enterprise infrastructure.

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.

OpenSSH's sftp-server is the server-side SFTP subsystem that runs under sshd to provide secure file-transfer operations over the SSH transport. It is distributed as part of the OpenSSH suite and is available as an external sftp-server binary or via the internal-sftp implementation inside sshd. (openssh.com)

Key Features

• Implements the server side of the SFTP protocol (invoked via sshd Subsystem or ForceCommand internal-sftp). (man.openbsd.org)
• Provides both a standalone sftp-server binary and internal-sftp (in-process) mode for chrooted and restricted sessions. (openssh.com)
• Supports modern SSH authentication methods (public-key, certificate support and protocol extensions such as FIDO/U2F) and a range of key-exchange and cipher algorithms. (cvsweb.openbsd.org)
• Server-side protocol extensions are implemented (examples include server-side copy/corp-data extensions tracked in the sftp-server tree). (cvsweb.openbsd.org)
• Designed with OpenSSH's privilege separation, logging options, and portability across Unix-like systems; crypto implementations include both dedicated algorithms (e.g., ChaCha20-Poly1305 sources) and links to OpenSSL/crypto APIs in the tree. (cvsweb.openbsd.org)

Use Cases

• Providing secure SFTP access for remote users or automated backup clients over SSH with configurable chroot jails and restricted shells. (unitedbsd.com)
• Embedding secure file-transfer into existing SSH-based infrastructure (system accounts, authorized_keys, certificates, and server-side policy). (openssh.com)
• Offering server-side copy and protocol-extension features for efficient remote file operations (reducing client-side data movement). (cvsweb.openbsd.org)

Limitations and Considerations

• Chroot configuration is strict: the chroot path must be owned by root and have strict permissions, which often causes confusing permission errors for administrators if not set up exactly. (reddit.com)
• Platform/packaging variations (e.g., Windows ports or distro-packaged builds) have historically exhibited differences or bugs (notably reported issues with some Windows builds' ChrootDirectory handling). Administrators should test the exact packaged build used in production. (reddit.com)

OpenSSH's sftp-server is the canonical, widely used SFTP implementation for SSH-based file transfer. It is actively maintained inside the OpenSSH/OpenBSD source tree, supports protocol extensions and modern authentication methods, and is intended for integration with system-level account and chroot configurations.