Zipline
A self-hosted ShareX-compatible file upload server with URL shortening, embeds, and extensive configuration options.
What is Zipline?
Zipline is a self-hosted file upload server compatible with ShareX and other upload tools, allowing users to host their own file sharing platform. It solves the need for a private, customizable alternative to public file hosting services by providing features like URL shortening, embed generation, and extensive security controls. The project emphasizes easy setup, particularly via Docker, and supports both local and cloud storage backends.
Developers, sysadmins, and teams needing a private, self-hosted file upload solution with ShareX compatibility and advanced management features.
Zipline offers a comprehensive, open-source alternative to proprietary file upload services with full data control, extensive customization, and a rich feature set including security options, media processing, and integrations.
Overview
A ShareX/file upload server that is easy to use, packed with features, and with an easy setup!
Use Cases
Best For
- Self-hosting a private file upload service for ShareX or similar tools
- Creating a custom URL shortener with file hosting capabilities
- Building an internal media sharing platform with user quotas and access controls
- Setting up a Discord-integrated file upload system with webhook notifications
- Deploying a branded file hosting service with custom themes and domains
- Managing file storage with S3-compatible backends and local redundancy
Not Ideal For
- Users with older CPUs lacking AVX support, as Zipline requires this instruction set and provides no non-AVX binaries
- Teams wanting a fully managed, no-maintenance cloud file hosting service without server upkeep
- Projects needing a lightweight, script-only upload solution without PostgreSQL or Docker dependencies
- Organizations with existing Zipline v3 setups unwilling to handle manual data export/import for migration
Pros & Cons
Pros
The README emphasizes Docker as the recommended method, providing a detailed docker-compose.yml file with PostgreSQL integration, making setup straightforward for containerized environments.
It includes upload management, URL shortening, embeds, OAuth2, 2FA, webhooks, and media processing like image compression, offering a wide range of functionalities out of the box as listed in the features section.
Supports both local filesystem and S3-compatible storage, configurable via environment variables, allowing users to choose scalable cloud storage or local redundancy based on needs.
Features image compression and video thumbnail generation, reducing the need for external tools and enhancing the sharing experience for media files directly within the platform.
Cons
Zipline mandates AVX CPU support and offers no binaries for non-AVX systems, excluding older hardware or certain low-cost cloud instances, as warned in the README.
Version 4 is a complete rewrite with no direct upgrade path from v3, forcing manual data export and import, which adds complexity and downtime for existing users, as admitted in the migration notes.
Despite Docker ease, setup involves generating secrets, managing environment variables for storage and ports, and volume mappings, which can be error-prone for those unfamiliar with such configurations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Related Projects
transfer.shEasy and fast file sharing from the command-line.
OnionShareSecurely and anonymously share files, host websites, and chat with friends using the Tor network
PicoShareA minimalist, easy-to-host service for sharing images and other files
GokapiLightweight selfhosted Firefox Send alternative without public upload. AWS S3 supported.
Found a gem we're missing?
Open-Awesome is built by the community, for the community. Submit a project, suggest an awesome list, or help improve the catalog on GitHub.