Seafile

File hosting and sharing solution primary for teams and organizations.

GitHub stars: 15,322
License: GPL-2.0, GPL-3.0, AGPL-3.0, Apache-2.0
Latest release: v9.0.5
27 February 2024
Last commit: 10 October 2026
Runs on: C

Commits per month, last 12 months

44 commits

Replaces

Paid products Seafile can stand in for.

BoxCloud storage and file sharing for companies.DropboxCloud storage and file sync.Google DriveCloud storage from Google.iCloud DriveApple's cloud storage for files.Microsoft OneDriveCloud storage from Microsoft.Microsoft SharePointMicrosoft's intranet and document sharing platform.Obsidian SyncPaid sync for Obsidian notes.Resilio SyncPeer-to-peer file sync between your devices.

How to self-host Seafile

Seafile runs on C. The project's own install guide is the place to start; most people put it on a small server with Docker and a reverse proxy for HTTPS.

Get a server: a home server, a VPS, or a managed app host.
Install it the way the project's docs describe, usually with Docker Compose.
Put it behind HTTPS and set up backups before you add real data.
Update it regularly. Watch the project's releases.

New to self-hosting? Start with the beginner's guide.

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Guides that cover it

Self-hosted Dropbox alternatives: 6 open-source options

Nextcloud, Seafile, OpenCloud, Syncthing, Pydio Cells and FileBrowser Quantum compared: sync clients, office editing and how much server each one needs.

Nextcloud vs OpenCloud vs Seafile: which file cloud to host?

Nextcloud, OpenCloud and Seafile side by side: architecture, how files are stored, office editing, mobile apps, server needs and licenses, with a clear pick.

Questions

Is Seafile free?

Yes. Seafile is open source under the GPL-2.0, GPL-3.0, AGPL-3.0, Apache-2.0 license, so you can use it without paying for a license. You pay only for the server it runs on.

Can I self-host Seafile?

Yes. Seafile runs on C. Follow the install guide in the project's documentation, or use a host that installs it for you.

What does Seafile replace?

People use Seafile instead of Box, Dropbox, Google Drive or iCloud Drive.

Is Seafile still maintained?

The last change to Seafile's code was on 10 October 2026, with 44 commits in the last 12 months.

Topics

App data from awesome-selfhosted (CC BY-SA 3.0), stars and activity from GitHub.