Ranked 6 of 6 in best bookmark managers
A minimal self-hosted link list that stores data in files without a database, under the zlib/libpng license. It has the smallest feature set here and needs a web server to run.
Best for File-based, self-hosted link sharing
About Shaarli
Shaarli stores links without a database, so the whole collection lives in files on the user's server. The project describes itself as a personal, minimalist and fast bookmarking service. Its copyright notices date from 2011 and name Sébastien Sauvage and the Shaarli Community.
Shaarli suits people who want a minimal self-hosted link list and are comfortable with server setup. Its documentation describes it as free software, and no paid tier is listed. Karakeep and Linkwarden suit people who want full-page archives and AI tagging, while Shaarli keeps the feature set small.
Key features
- Database-free
- Self-hosted
- Community maintained
- zlib/libpng license
Strengths
- Stores data in plain files without a database
- Free software under zlib/libpng
- Minimal and self-hosted
Limits
- Needs a web server and setup
- Fewer features than hosted or newer tools
Where Shaarli ranks
| List | Rank | Score | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best Bookmark managers | 6 of 6 | 76.0 | File-based, self-hosted link sharing |
Questions about Shaarli
- Is Shaarli free?
- Shaarli can be used without paying: Free software to host yourself under the zlib/libpng license. Check the vendor’s pricing page for current limits.
- Is Shaarli open source?
- Yes. Shaarli publishes its source code under the zlib/libpng license.
- Which platforms does Shaarli support?
- Shaarli is available on: Web, Self-hosted.
- What is Shaarli best for?
- File-based, self-hosted link sharing. In our ranking of bookmark managers it is number 6 of 6 with a score of 76.0.
- What are the best alternatives to Shaarli?
- The highest-ranked alternatives on listme.name are Raindrop.io, Karakeep, Linkwarden, Pinboard.