Aktar, free and open source
Self-hosted file sharing, without running a server
Share files through links on your own storage and domain. Aktar uploads straight from your computer to a bucket you own, so there's no server to maintain, no subscription and no service in the middle.
Updates arrive the day they're released. Windows may warn you, since the app isn't signed yet. How to install
Sharing a file shouldn't mean giving it to someone else
WeTransfer, Dropbox links and hosted sharing apps are easy, but your files live on their servers, links expire on their schedule, and prices change on theirs. Self-hosting the classic way means running Nextcloud or a file server and keeping it patched.
Object storage sits in the middle: you own the bucket, it serves files over HTTPS on your domain, and there's nothing to maintain. Aktar is the missing upload button for it.
What you get
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Your bucket, your bill
Files stay in your own S3, R2, B2 or MinIO bucket. You pay your provider directly, often cents a month.
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Your domain
Links use a domain you control, such as
files.example.com. See how to set it up. -
Links that last
A link works as long as the file is in your bucket. It doesn't depend on Aktar, even if you uninstall it.
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Expiring shares
Choose Delete after 1, 7, 14 or 30 days for files that shouldn't stay around. The bucket deletes them on schedule.
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Private files too
Keep a bucket private and share temporary links that stop working after up to 7 days.
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Open source, no telemetry
Aktar is MIT licensed, has no account system and sends no analytics. Read the code on GitHub.
A closer look
Built with SwiftUI, so it feels right at home on macOS.
Pick a destination, drop your files and grab recent links without leaving what you're doing.
Browse every bucket folder by folder, search all of it, preview files and copy public or temporary links.
Record your own global shortcut, or keep the default ⌃⇧⌘U. It works even when the panel is closed.
Decide what lands on your clipboard after each upload, including your own template.
Connect a bucket in under a minute. Presets fill in the right endpoint and region for you.
How it works
- 1
Pick a storage provider
Any S3-compatible service works. Cloudflare R2 and Backblaze B2 are inexpensive starting points, and MinIO runs on your own hardware.
- 2
Connect it to Aktar
Add the bucket as a destination with your access key and the public domain in front of it.
- 3
Share links
Drop a file on the menu bar or share it from your phone. The link is ready to send.
Set up your storage
Step-by-step guides for each provider. Most take about five minutes.
Questions
Is this a WeTransfer alternative?
For sending files as links, yes, and there's no size cap beyond your provider's limits. Aktar doesn't send emails or show download pages; the link opens or downloads the file directly. See how it compares to hosted services.
Do I need to run a server?
No. Your storage provider serves the files. Aktar is only the app you upload with, and it talks to your bucket directly.
Can I password-protect links or see who opened them?
Not in Aktar. Links are either public or temporary (presigned). For per-link passwords or download statistics, a hosted service or a CDN rule is the better tool.
Can I run it all on my own hardware?
Yes. Run MinIO or another S3-compatible server at home or on a VPS and point Aktar at it.