Self-Hosted / Projects / copyparty
copyparty
StableSpecs verified September 7, 2026 · against vv1.20.23
Overview
Portable self-hosted file server with WebDAV, SFTP, FTP, resumable uploads, and media indexing.
copyparty is a portable self-hosted file server for people who want browser-based sharing and uploads without handing their files to a hosted storage provider. It combines a web interface with WebDAV, SFTP, FTP, TFTP, resumable transfers, deduplication, media indexing, thumbnails, and other protocols in a compact deployment.
Why people choose copyparty
The practical search intent is usually “a lightweight self-hosted file sharing server” rather than the project name alone. copyparty is attractive when you want to turn a NAS, mini PC, or spare machine into a useful file portal quickly, while keeping the storage location and access rules under your control.
What is included
The official repository documents browser uploads and downloads, resumable and accelerated transfers, WebDAV, SFTP, FTP/FTPS, TFTP, SMB/CIFS support, Android access, iPhone shortcuts, media indexing, thumbnails, search, archive browsing, and a read-only public demo. Dependencies are optional for the base server, while specific protocols or media features can add configuration work.
Requirements and tradeoffs
copyparty is intentionally more flexible than a polished cloud-drive suite, so its configuration model rewards operators who are comfortable reading the official README and setting per-volume permissions. The server can run from a single Python file, but internet exposure still requires TLS, authentication, firewall rules, sensible upload limits, and backups. It is a file server, not a full collaborative office platform with native document editing and user-management workflows like Nextcloud.
Best fit
Choose copyparty for fast, low-overhead file serving, temporary or permanent upload portals, mixed-protocol access, and homelab storage where a single compact service is useful. Compare Nextcloud, Seafile, or File Browser when you need a more opinionated cloud-drive experience, richer collaboration, or a larger admin ecosystem.
Interface previews
Screenshots of the copyparty interface.
Feature support
| Feature | Support |
|---|---|
| Browser file browsing, uploads, and downloadsThe official README presents a browser-based interface and a read-only demo. | Supported |
| Resumable and accelerated transfersResumable uploads/downloads and the up2k transfer path are core project features. | Supported |
| WebDAV accessWebDAV is documented as one of the supported server protocols. | Supported |
| SFTP and FTP/FTPS accessThe project documents SFTP and FTP-family server modes. | Supported |
| TFTP and SMB/CIFS accessThese protocols are supported, but each needs its own network and security decisions. | Partial support |
| Deduplication and media indexingThe repository description and feature documentation call out deduplication and media indexing. | Supported |
| Thumbnails, search, and archive browsingThe official feature list includes thumbnails, file search, and archive handling. | Supported |
| Android app and iPhone shortcutsOfficial project documentation provides Android access and iPhone shortcut workflows rather than a single full-featured native client. | Partial support |
| Single-file Python deploymentThe README states that the server only needs Python and that dependencies are optional for the base path. | Supported |
Community signals
- Stars
- 47.1k
- Forks
- 1.9k
- Open issues
- 257
- Last commit
- 1d ago
- Latest release
- v1.20.26
- Repo created
- May 2019
Includes open pull requests
1w ago
Refreshed nightly from the GitHub API.
Questions
What is copyparty used for?
copyparty is used to run a lightweight self-hosted file server with browser sharing, uploads, resumable transfers, and several file-transfer protocols.
Is copyparty a self-hosted alternative to Dropbox or Google Drive?
It can replace the file-sharing and storage-portal part of those services for homelab users, but it is not a complete office-collaboration suite. Compare the required features before replacing a broader cloud-drive platform.
Does copyparty need a database?
No. The standard deployment is a portable Python-based server and does not require an external database. You still need persistent storage for the files and any server state you configure.
What protocols does copyparty support?
The official project documents HTTP(S), WebDAV, SFTP, FTP/FTPS, TFTP, and SMB/CIFS modes, plus browser and mobile-oriented access paths.
Is copyparty suitable for internet-facing file sharing?
It can be, but internet exposure is an operator responsibility. Use TLS, authentication, least-privilege volumes, firewall rules, upload limits, and tested backups rather than exposing a default listener directly.
Does copyparty replace Nextcloud?
Usually not one-for-one. copyparty is lighter and more protocol-focused, while Nextcloud provides a broader suite with accounts, collaboration, calendars, office integrations, and many apps.
How is copyparty installed?
The official quick start centers on running the project’s single-file executable/script. Containerized deployments are also common, but configuration and persistent volume permissions should follow the project documentation.
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