Webarchive
Self-HostedOpen-source web archiving tool for preserving online content long-term
Overview
Webarchive enables users to capture and store entire web pages—including HTML, CSS, media files, and linked resources—for digital preservation. It supports standard archival formats like WARC and PDF, scheduled automated captures, and searchable archives. Deploy via Docker for quick setup or traditional server configurations; integrate with local/cloud storage for scalable backups. Ideal for libraries, researchers, or individuals wanting to retain control over web content before it changes or is removed, avoiding reliance on third-party archiving services.
Key Features
- Capture full web pages with all associated assets
- Support for WARC and PDF archival formats
- Scheduled automated capture jobs
- Searchable archive database for easy retrieval
Frequently Asked Questions
? Is Webarchive hard to install?
No—Webarchive provides a Docker Compose setup for one-click deployment, with detailed documentation. Bare-metal installs require configuring Python, a database (like PostgreSQL), and dependencies, but step-by-step guides simplify the process.
? Is it a good alternative to Archive.org Wayback Machine?
Yes—Webarchive lets you host archives privately, so you control access and retention. It’s better for targeted preservation (e.g., specific sites) than Wayback Machine’s global scope, though it lacks Wayback’s massive existing archive.
? Is it completely free?
Yes—Webarchive is open-source under the MIT License, so it’s free to use, modify, and distribute. You only pay for your server, storage, or cloud resources used to host your archives.
Top Alternatives
Tool Info
Pros
- ⊕ Full control over archived content (self-hosted)
- ⊕ No subscription fees—completely open-source
- ⊕ Flexible deployment (Docker or bare-metal)
- ⊕ Integrates with cloud storage for scalable backups
Cons
- ⊖ Requires basic server administration knowledge
- ⊖ Storage costs depend on archive size (large archives need more space)
- ⊖ Limited advanced features compared to enterprise tools