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Papermark

Secure, branded document sharing with analytics and custom domains

File Sync & Share Platforms

Papermark lets you share PDFs via private links, apply your own branding, track viewer activity, and host the platform yourself using Next.js, TypeScript, and PostgreSQL.

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Overview

Overview

Papermark is a self‑hosted platform that replaces commercial services for secure document distribution. It targets product teams, sales organizations, and any group that needs to share PDFs or other files while retaining full control over branding and data.

Capabilities

The application generates private, shareable links, supports custom domains and branding, and provides real‑time document‑view analytics powered by Tinybird. Built on a modern stack—Next.js, TypeScript, Tailwind, Prisma, and PostgreSQL—it can be extended or themed to match any corporate identity.

Deployment

Deploy Papermark on any Node‑compatible host (Vercel, Docker, traditional servers). You’ll need a PostgreSQL instance, an S3‑compatible blob store, and a Tinybird account for analytics. The repository includes scripts for database migration and a clear setup guide, enabling teams to launch a fully owned document‑sharing service in minutes.

Highlights

Secure shareable links for private document access
Custom branding with personal domains
Built‑in viewer analytics and tracking
Self‑hosted, fully customizable source code

Pros

  • Complete data ownership and privacy
  • No vendor lock‑in or subscription fees
  • Highly extensible UI built with shadcn/ui
  • Real‑time analytics via Tinybird

Considerations

  • Requires own hosting and maintenance effort
  • Initial setup may be complex for non‑technical users
  • Page‑by‑page analytics are planned but not yet available
  • Relies on external services like S3 and Tinybird for full functionality

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Fit guide

Great for

  • Teams that need secure, branded PDF distribution
  • SaaS products wanting an integrated document portal
  • Organizations prioritizing data privacy and control
  • Developers looking to customize the sharing workflow

Not ideal when

  • Users seeking a ready‑made hosted service without setup
  • Small teams lacking technical resources for self‑hosting
  • Projects requiring advanced e‑signature capabilities
  • Scenarios needing native mobile SDKs out of the box

How teams use it

Investor pitch deck distribution

Share a private link with investors, track who opened the deck and for how long, while presenting your company’s branding.

Sales collateral with brand consistency

Provide prospects with custom‑branded PDFs, monitor engagement, and integrate with Stripe for gated access if needed.

Internal policy documents

Distribute company policies securely, enforce read‑through tracking, and store all activity logs within your own database.

Academic paper sharing

Offer a private link to research papers, collect analytics on readership, and maintain control over the content’s distribution.

Tech snapshot

TypeScript99%
JavaScript1%
CSS1%
Shell1%

Tags

open-sourcepostgresqlhacktoberfestpdfnextjszodtailwindcssdataroomtypescriptprismanext-auth

Frequently asked questions

What technology stack does Papermark use?

Papermark is built with Next.js, TypeScript, Tailwind CSS, Prisma, PostgreSQL, and uses Tinybird for analytics.

Can I host Papermark on my own server?

Yes, you can self‑host on any Node.js‑compatible environment, using PostgreSQL and an S3‑compatible blob store.

Do I need an AWS account for storage?

Papermark supports AWS S3 or Vercel Blob for file storage; you can choose the provider that fits your infrastructure.

Is the analytics data real‑time?

Analytics are processed through Tinybird, providing near real‑time insights into document views.

Can I customize the UI and branding?

Yes, the UI is built with shadcn/ui components and Tailwind, allowing full theming and custom domain integration.

Project at a glance

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Stars
8,016
Watchers
8,016
Forks
1,142
Repo age2 years old
Last commit2 days ago
Primary languageTypeScript

Last synced 2 days ago