copyparty

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.