GoKapi
Self-hosted Firefox Send alternative with automatic file expiration
AI Summary
Gokapi is a self-hosted Firefox Send alternative that enables secure file sharing with automatic deletion after downloads or time expiration. The tool offers end-to-end encryption, user management with roles, cloud storage support (AWS S3, Backblaze B2), and a REST API for automation.
✓ Pros
- + Lightweight with minimal system requirements (256 MB RAM)
- + Flexible cloud storage integration with S3-compatible services
- + OpenID Connect support for seamless authentication with existing identity providers
✗ Cons
- − Requires own server infrastructure or Docker setup
- − AGPL3 license may impose restrictions for commercial use
Use Cases
- → Temporary file sharing with automatic deletion after a specified number of downloads
- → Secure file requests from external partners without access to the main system
- → End-to-end encrypted document transfer in sensitive projects
- → Self-hosted alternative to WeTransfer or Firefox Send for teams
Who is it for?
Developer teams, IT administrators, and privacy-conscious organizations that need a self-hosted file-sharing solution with full control over their data.
Tags
What is GoKapi?
GoKapi is a self-hosted solution for temporary file sharing, designed as a successor to the discontinued Firefox Send. The core concept: files can be configured to delete automatically after a set number of downloads or after a time limit expires. Data stays on your own infrastructure, and external recipients get only time-limited access. GoKapi is written in Go, runs as a Docker container, and works with 256 MB of RAM.
Core features
- Automatic file deletion after a configurable number of downloads or an expiry time
- End-to-end encryption for file transfers in sensitive contexts
- File Requests: external partners can upload files without needing access to the main system
- Cloud storage integration with AWS S3, Backblaze B2, and other S3-compatible services
- User management with roles, plus OpenID Connect support for existing identity providers
- REST API for integration into automated workflows and deployments
Who is GoKapi for?
GoKapi is aimed at developer teams and IT administrators who want to run a file-sharing solution without depending on external services. Typical use cases include handing documents to external partners and sharing build artifacts internally with an automatic expiry date. Anyone already running a Docker host can get GoKapi up and running quickly. Without Docker experience, setup becomes more difficult. The AGPL3 license permits private and internal use, but requires disclosure of modifications when distributing publicly, which can be a problem in some commercial contexts.
Context & alternatives
GoKapi belongs to the category of self-hosted file-sharing tools focused on data control and automatic expiry. Those who do not want to run their own server can turn to managed services such as WeTransfer or similar SaaS solutions. These offer no comparable data sovereignty, but require no operational overhead. Other self-hosted alternatives in the same space often lack File Requests or require heavier infrastructure. GoKapi combines low resource requirements with cloud storage flexibility. Anyone already using S3-compatible storage can connect GoKapi directly to it, avoiding the need for local storage volume on the host.
