Seafile

Seafile is an open-source platform for synchronizing, storing, sharing, and collaborating on files. Organizations can deploy it on their own Linux infrastructure or use Seafile’s hosted cloud services.

The product combines desktop synchronization, virtual-drive access, mobile applications, browser access, version history, sharing controls, and optional online office integrations. Its broader platform also includes metadata management, wikis, and SeaDoc collaboration features.

Seafile was established in 2012 by Daniel Pan and Jonathan Xu. The company lists offices and operations in Beijing and Singapore.

Seafile provides native synchronization clients for Windows, macOS, and Linux. Its SeaDrive clients expose cloud files as virtual drives without requiring every file to remain on local storage.

Users can share libraries, folders, and files with permission controls. Public links can include passwords, expiration dates, and email-based authentication. Version history, file locking, audit logs, and remote wipe support document governance requirements.

Seafile supports metadata fields, custom views, hierarchical tags, and AI-assisted descriptions and tags in SeafilePlus Cloud. Teams can create wiki-style knowledge bases with nested pages, revisions, and access permissions.

Supported integrations include OnlyOffice and Collabora Online for browser-based office editing. Administrative integrations include LDAP, Active Directory-related directory workflows, OAuth authentication, WebDAV, antivirus scanning, and S3-compatible storage backends.

The documented Web API provides programmatic access to Seafile functionality. Seafile also offers Docker-based deployment and supports generic Linux servers and Raspberry Pi systems using compatible hardware.

Seafile offers separate Community, Professional, and hosted Plus editions. The Community Edition is free and open source for self-hosted deployments.

The Professional Edition is sold as an annual per-user license. Three users are free, nine users cost $100 total, and standard pricing from 10 to 249 users is $48 per user annually. Larger user counts receive lower listed rates, while 1,000 or more users require a quotation.

SeafilePlus Cloud has a free trial plan for up to three users and 1 GB of storage. The hosted Team plan starts at $8 per user per month, with at least three users and 500 GB of storage.

The hosted trial account is inactivated after 30 days and deleted within 90 days. Organizations can request a Professional Edition trial license for three weeks or longer through Seafile sales.

Pros:

• Offers both self-hosted and managed cloud deployment.
• Provides a free open-source Community Edition.
• Supports Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS clients.
• Includes granular sharing, version control, virtual-drive access, and audit capabilities.
• Supports OnlyOffice, Collabora Online, LDAP, OAuth, WebDAV, and S3-compatible storage.
• Uses per-user annual pricing for Professional Edition, with published volume discounts.

Cons:

• Self-hosted deployment requires Linux, storage, security, and maintenance expertise.
• Some advanced capabilities depend on Professional or Plus editions.
• WebDAV access can be slower than the native synchronization client.
• Online office editing requires a separately deployed or configured office service.
• Support beyond basic Professional Edition email assistance requires a paid support plan.

Nextcloud is a comparable open-source private-cloud platform with file synchronization, sharing, and a broad application ecosystem.

ownCloud provides self-hosted and commercial file collaboration products for organizations requiring controlled data storage.

Dropbox Business is a managed cloud alternative focused on file synchronization, sharing, and team collaboration.

Google Drive combines hosted file storage with Google Workspace productivity and collaboration tools.

Egnyte targets business file management, governance, and hybrid content collaboration deployments.

Is Seafile free?
Yes. The Community Edition is free and open source for self-hosted use. Paid Professional and hosted Plus editions add commercial features and services.

Can Seafile be self-hosted?
Yes. Seafile provides Docker deployment and server documentation for generic Linux systems. It also documents Raspberry Pi deployment using Docker and ARM64 hardware.

Does Seafile offer a cloud service?
Yes. SeafilePlus Cloud provides hosted plans, including a free trial and a paid Team plan.

What operating systems does Seafile support?
Desktop clients are available for Windows, macOS, and Linux. Mobile applications are available for Android and iOS. Browser access is also supported.

Does Seafile have an API?
Yes. Seafile documents a Web API v2.1 and an administrative API through its official manual.

Does Seafile provide a free trial?
Yes. SeafilePlus Cloud provides a 30-day trial plan. Professional Edition trials can be requested from sales and normally run for three weeks or longer.

Can users edit Microsoft Office files online?
Yes. Seafile documents integrations with OnlyOffice and Collabora Online for browser-based office editing.