Kinto

Self-Hosted

Open-source self-hosted service for syncing bookmarks, reading lists, and data across devices

Overview

Kinto is an open-source, self-hosted platform enabling seamless synchronization of bookmarks, reading lists, and personal data across devices. Built on modern web tech, it supports offline access, custom tags, and browser extensions (Firefox/Chrome). Deployable via Docker or Python-based setups, it prioritizes privacy by keeping data under your control. It offers API access for custom integrations and supports import/export from Pocket or Instapaper, making it a flexible alternative to proprietary sync services.

Self-Hosting Resources

Find Official Image on Docker Hub View Source & Docs

Below is a reference structure for docker-compose.yml. ⚠️ Do NOT run blindly. Replace placeholders with official values.

docker-compose.template.yml TEMPLATE


version: '3'
services:
  kinto:
    image: <OFFICIAL_IMAGE_NAME>:latest
    container_name: kinto
    ports:
      - "8080:<APP_INTERNAL_PORT>"
    volumes:
      - ./data:/app/data
    restart: unless-stopped

Key Features

Cross-device sync for bookmarks & reading lists
Offline access support
Browser extension integration (Firefox/Chrome)
Docker & Python-based deployment options
Import/export from Pocket/Instapaper

Frequently Asked Questions

? Is Kinto hard to install?

Kinto is easy to install via Docker with pre-built images, simplifying deployment. Non-Docker setups need Python and PostgreSQL, requiring basic server skills. Official docs provide clear steps for both methods.

? Is Kinto a good alternative to Pocket?

Yes—Kinto offers core Pocket features (sync, reading lists, offline access) plus self-hosted privacy. It lacks some premium Pocket features but is ideal for privacy-focused users.

? Is Kinto completely free?

Yes! Kinto is open-source under the MIT License, so it’s free to use, modify, and self-host without any fees.

Top Alternatives

Pocket (proprietary) Search Google

Instapaper (proprietary) Search Google

Tool Info

Pricing Free/Open Source

Category File Transfer & Synchronization

Platform Self-Hosted

Pros

⊕ Privacy-focused (self-hosted data control)
⊕ Free & open-source (MIT License)
⊕ Lightweight Docker deployment
⊕ Customizable with API access

Cons

⊖ Limited to bookmark/reading list sync (not general file transfer)
⊖ Requires basic server knowledge for non-Docker setups
⊖ Smaller community compared to mainstream alternatives