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Discover top open-source software, updated regularly with real-world adoption signals.
Discover top open-source software, updated regularly with real-world adoption signals.
Privacy-focused cloud storage with selective sync and encryption
Open-source file sync and sharing platform with library-based organization, client-side encryption, selective folder sync, and built-in collaboration tools for teams.
Seafile is a self-hosted cloud storage platform designed for organizations that prioritize privacy and flexible file synchronization. Unlike traditional cloud storage, Seafile organizes files into libraries—discrete collections that can be synced, shared, or encrypted independently with user-chosen passwords.
The platform handles file conflicts intelligently using version history rather than timestamps, transfers only content deltas to minimize bandwidth, and supports selective sync for any folder. Teams can share libraries between users or groups, create password-protected download links, and leverage upload links for external contributions. A virtual drive client provides on-demand access to cloud files without local storage overhead.
Recent additions transform Seafile into a knowledge hub: WYSIWYG Markdown editing, draft review workflows, file labels, related document linking, wiki mode, and real-time notifications. The architecture spans multiple repositories—sync daemon, desktop GUI, server core, web UI (Seahub), and mobile apps—each independently maintained. Deployment requires self-hosting infrastructure and technical expertise to configure the server stack.
When teams consider Seafile, these hosted platforms usually appear on the same shortlist.
Looking for a hosted option? These are the services engineering teams benchmark against before choosing open source.
Encrypted Research Data Sharing
Academic teams sync sensitive datasets with client-side encryption, ensuring compliance while enabling selective access across departments.
Distributed Team Documentation
Remote engineering teams collaborate on technical docs using Markdown editing, version control, and wiki mode for centralized knowledge.
Bandwidth-Efficient Field Sync
Field workers sync large media libraries using delta transfers and resumable uploads over limited connectivity.
Multi-Server Backup Strategy
IT departments sync critical files to multiple Seafile servers for geographic redundancy and disaster recovery.
A library is a collection of files that can be synced, shared, and encrypted independently. Each library functions as a discrete unit with its own permissions and optional password protection.
Yes. Libraries can be encrypted with user-chosen passwords, and the desktop sync client supports client-side encryption, ensuring data remains private even from server administrators.
Yes. Seafile supports selective sync for any folder within a library, allowing you to choose which subsets of data to store locally while accessing others on demand via the virtual drive.
Seafile resolves conflicts using file history rather than timestamps, providing more accurate conflict detection. Version control tracks changes, and interrupted transfers can be resumed from where they stopped.
Seafile requires self-hosted server infrastructure. You must deploy the server core, web UI (Seahub), and optionally WebDAV components. Detailed build instructions are available in the official manual.
Project at a glance
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