copyparty: Self-Hosted File Server

copyparty is a portable file server that can turn almost any device into a feature-rich file sharing platform. With over 42,000 GitHub stars, copyparty provides web-based file upload, download, streaming, and management through a single Python script — no installation required. It supports resumable uploads, media streaming, file search, and multi-user access with granular permissions.

Self-hosting copyparty means your files stay on your own hardware with a lightweight, dependency-free server that runs anywhere Python does.

Key Features

• Zero-dependency single-file deployment — runs anywhere Python 3 is available
• Resumable uploads with chunk-based transfer for reliable large file handling
• Media streaming for audio and video files directly in the browser
• File deduplication using content-addressable storage to save disk space
• Full-text search across uploaded documents and file metadata
• Multi-user access control with per-folder read, write, and admin permissions
• WebDAV support for mounting as a network drive on any operating system
• Thumbnail generation and gallery view for image and video browsing

Why Self-Host copyparty?

Extreme portability. copyparty runs as a single Python script with no external dependencies, databases, or services. Deploy it on a VPS, a Raspberry Pi, a NAS, or any machine with Python 3. No Docker required, no complex setup — just run the script.

Fast file sharing without third parties. Share files directly from your server with shareable links, password-protected folders, and upload portals. No size limits imposed by email or cloud storage providers. Your transfer speeds are limited only by your network bandwidth.

Privacy-first file management. Cloud storage services scan your files, index them for advertising, or share metadata with partners. copyparty stores files on your disk with no telemetry, no indexing by third parties, and no access by anyone you haven't authorized.

Resource efficiency. copyparty uses minimal CPU and RAM compared to full file sync platforms. It runs comfortably on the smallest VPS plans, making it an ideal lightweight file server when you don't need the complexity of Nextcloud or Seafile.

System Requirements

Resource	Minimum	Recommended
CPU	1 vCPU	2+ vCPUs
RAM	256 MB	1 GB
Storage	5 GB SSD	50 GB SSD
OS	Ubuntu 22.04+	Ubuntu 24.04

copyparty is exceptionally lightweight. The application itself uses minimal resources — your storage needs depend entirely on the volume of files you plan to host. Even a very small VPS can run copyparty effectively.

Getting Started

The fastest way to deploy copyparty on your VPS is with Docker Compose through Dokploy. Our step-by-step deployment guide walks you through the full setup, including persistent storage, environment configuration, and SSL.

Deploy copyparty with Dokploy →

Alternatives

• FileBrowser — Web-based file manager with a clean interface for browsing, uploading, and managing files
• Nextcloud — Full-featured file sync and collaboration platform with apps, calendar, and office suite
• Seafile — File syncing and sharing platform optimized for reliability and performance
• MinIO — S3-compatible object storage server for applications that need API-driven file access

FAQ

What makes copyparty different from Nextcloud? copyparty is a lightweight file server focused on uploading, downloading, and streaming files through a web interface. Nextcloud is a full collaboration platform with apps, calendar, contacts, and office integration. Choose copyparty when you need a simple, fast file server without the overhead of a full platform.

Can copyparty handle large file uploads? Yes. copyparty supports resumable, chunked uploads that can handle files of any size. If a connection drops mid-upload, the transfer resumes from where it left off rather than restarting. This makes it reliable for uploading large video files, backups, or datasets over unreliable connections.

Does copyparty support user authentication? Yes. copyparty supports multiple user accounts with per-folder permissions for reading, writing, deleting, and admin access. Users authenticate through the web interface. You can configure public folders alongside authenticated areas for flexible access control.

Can I stream media from copyparty? Yes. copyparty includes a built-in media player that streams audio and video files directly in the browser. It generates thumbnails for images and videos, and provides a gallery view for browsing media collections. No separate media server needed for basic streaming.

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App data sourced from selfh.st open-source directory.