copyparty is a portable file server that enables resumable uploads and downloads across multiple protocols in a single application.
The tool solves the problem of sharing files across devices and networks by providing a lightweight server that runs on Python with optional dependencies. It implements resumable transfers, allowing uploads and downloads to pause and resume without losing progress. The server supports multiple access methods simultaneously: HTTP/HTTPS for web browsers, WebDAV for network mounting, SFTP and FTP/FTPS for traditional file transfer, TFTP for boot scenarios, and SMB/CIFS for Windows network shares. Additional features include deduplication to reduce storage, a media indexer with thumbnail generation, full-text search, markdown viewing, and zip download creation. The tool includes zeroconf discovery for automatic network detection and offers native mobile access through an Android app and iOS shortcuts.
The project suits developers and system administrators who need a self-contained file server without complex setup. It works on almost any device that runs Python, making it ideal for NAS frontends, temporary file sharing, or embedded systems. The minimal dependency requirement means it can run on resource-constrained hardware. The combination of multiple protocols in one application eliminates the need to run separate services for different access methods.
Development activity shows consistent engagement with feature additions and protocol support expansion. The project maintains active responsiveness to user contributions from a geographically distributed set of contributors. Work spans multiple protocol implementations and media handling capabilities, indicating sustained technical depth across the codebase. The maintainer actively demonstrates the tool through hosted examples and multimedia documentation, suggesting ongoing investment in user accessibility and feature visibility.
