Wallabag

Self-Hosted

Open-source self-hosted read-it-later and web archiving tool

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Overview

Wallabag is an open-source self-hosted tool for saving and archiving web articles, blog posts, and pages. It strips ads and distractions to create clean reading views, supports exporting content to PDF, EPUB, MOBI, or plain text for long-term preservation, and syncs across devices via mobile apps and browser extensions. Deployable via Docker, shared hosting, or manual setup (PHP/MySQL), it prioritizes privacy by keeping your data under your control—no third-party tracking or subscription fees.

Key Features

  • Save web content with distraction-free reading views
  • Export to PDF, EPUB, MOBI, or plain text for long-term archiving
  • Sync across devices via mobile apps and browser extensions
  • Tag and search saved items for organized access

Frequently Asked Questions

? Is Wallabag hard to install?

Wallabag offers easy deployment via Docker (one-command setup) for beginners. Manual installation requires PHP, MySQL/MariaDB, and web server config, but guided docs simplify the process. Managed hosting options are also available for non-technical users.

? Is it a good alternative to Pocket?

Yes—Wallabag provides similar read-it-later features but with full self-hosting control, no ads, and no data sharing. It supports more export formats than Pocket, making it better for long-term digital preservation.

? Is Wallabag completely free?

Wallabag is open-source (MIT license) and free to self-host. There are no subscription fees, though managed hosting providers may charge for hosting your instance if you don’t want to run it yourself.

Top Alternatives

Pocket Search Google
Instapaper Search Google
Readwise Reader Search Google

Tool Info

Pricing Free/Open Source
Category Archiving and Digital Preservation (DP)
Platform Self-Hosted

Pros

  • ⊕ Privacy-focused (no third-party data tracking)
  • ⊕ No subscription fees
  • ⊕ Flexible deployment options (Docker, shared hosting, manual setup)
  • ⊕ Wide range of export formats for preservation

Cons

  • ⊖ Requires basic server knowledge for self-hosting
  • ⊖ Mobile apps need manual configuration for self-hosted instances
  • ⊖ Limited support for dynamic/interactive web pages
  • ⊖ Occasional issues with complex page parsing

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