ArchiveBox is a self-hosted web archiving tool for people who want to keep a collection of webpages under their own control. Its main strengths are broad capture options and both a web interface and command-line workflow; its main trade-offs are setup and maintenance, unpredictable storage needs, and responsibility for safely replaying archived content. Docker Compose is the project’s recommended setup, but it does not remove the need to manage the host and archive.
What ArchiveBox does
ArchiveBox accepts URLs and imports such as browser history and bookmarks, then uses different tools to save pages and related content. Its documented outputs include original HTML, CSS and JavaScript, single-file HTML, screenshots, PDFs, WARC files, page metadata, and media. That breadth gives operators several ways to preserve a page, but it does not guarantee a complete capture of every site: results depend on the target and the external extractors used.
You can manage a collection through the web UI or CLI. The project describes its data model as SQLite plus filesystem storage. The CLI can be used without running the web server, which may suit a command-line or scheduled workflow better than operating the UI.
ArchiveBox is open-source and self-hosted: the collection runs on infrastructure you control. That offers control over where the archive lives, but deployment, updates, dependencies, backups, storage, and access security remain your responsibility. See the ArchiveBox project and Quickstart for the current feature and workflow details.
The Tool Desk
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- Read Before You Buy — No Video Output: These adapters support charging and USB 2.0 data transfer, but cannot transmit video signals. Except for standard USB webcams (which use USB data only), they are not compatible with HDMI/DisplayPort cables, video-capable USB-C hubs, or docking stations with video output.
- Convert USB-A Ports to USB-C: Designed to connect USB-C earphones, cables, flash drives, card readers, and other USB-C accessories to standard USB-A ports. Plug-and-play with no drivers or software required.
- Aluminum Alloy Housing: Built with a sturdy aluminum alloy shell that aids in heat dissipation and protects against daily wear and scratches. Designed to maintain a stable and secure connection.
- Compact & Travel-Friendly: The ultra-compact design allows the adapter to stay plugged into your device without blocking adjacent ports or adding bulk, reducing wear and tear on your original USB ports.
- 12-Month Warranty: Backed by a 12-month manufacturer warranty for peace of mind. Designed to meet strict quality control standards for reliable everyday performance.
Strengths and limitations
| Area | Strength | Trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| Capture | Multiple output formats and extractors can preserve different aspects of a page. | Capture quality varies with site behavior, authentication, blocking, page changes, and the tools available; broad format support is not a guarantee of fidelity. |
| Control | You operate the collection and choose where it is stored. | You must secure, maintain, and back up the service and its files. |
| Ways to work | Both web UI and CLI are available; the web server is optional for CLI use. | Self-hosting still requires a compatible environment and familiarity with the chosen deployment route. |
| Storage | The archive folder can be placed on slower or network storage. | Space requirements vary substantially, especially with audio and video capture. |
| Replay | The project documents isolation measures for replaying archived JavaScript. | Operators exposing an archive publicly need to understand and configure the security model. |
How difficult is setup?
ArchiveBox is not a hosted, one-click archive service. The project recommends Docker Compose because it includes the extras and is intended to make setup and updates easier. That is the most straightforward route for someone already comfortable installing Docker, but Docker itself is another system to learn if it is unfamiliar. Native or package-based setup is possible, but involves Python and runtime or system dependencies.
The project’s installation wiki says setup usually takes less than about ten minutes. That is the project’s estimate, not an independently measured result, and actual time depends on the host, Docker familiarity, and any dependency issues. The wiki lists Ubuntu, macOS 13 or later, and Docker on Linux or macOS for amd64 or arm64. It states a 1 GB RAM minimum and recommends 2 GB or more; other operating systems are not tested or supported for that release. Check the current ArchiveBox installation wiki before choosing a host because supported details and commands can change.
Rank #2
- 5-in-1 USB-C Hub: Experience comprehensive connectivity featuring a Power Delivery input, two USB-A 2.0 ports, a USB-A 3.0 port, and an HDMI port. (Note: The USB-C power delivery input port is only for connecting an external wall charger to power your laptop and cannot power peripheral devices.)
- 90W Pass-Through Charging: Achieve optimal charging with 90W pass-through power to your laptop, supported by a total input of 100W, with the hub reserving 10W for operational efficiency. (Note: Wall charger not included.)
- Quick Data Transfers: Accelerate your productivity with rapid data transfers using a high-speed 5Gbps USB 3.0 port and two 480Mbps USB 2.0 ports.
- 4K HDMI Display: Enhance your visual experience with a hub capable of delivering 4K resolution at 30Hz in both mirror and extend modes. Please note that this hub is compatible with MacBook (macOS 12 and newer), Windows 10 and 11, ChromeOS, and laptops equipped with DP Alt Mode and Power Delivery. Note: This device is not compatible with Linux.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (5-in-1, 4K HDMI), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
Recommended Docker Compose path
At a high level, the project’s quickstart flow is:
- Install Docker on a supported Linux or macOS host.
- Choose a data directory for the Compose configuration and archive data.
- Fetch the project’s Compose configuration into that directory.
- Pull and start the container using the current commands in the official Quickstart.
- Open the running instance’s
/admin/path and create the first administrator account.
Use the exact commands in the official Quickstart rather than relying on copied commands that may be stale. If you prefer a native installation, follow the current wiki’s uv or package instructions and account for host-level runtime dependencies. If you only need CLI-based archiving, the web server is optional.
Rank #3
- Sleek 7-in-1 USB-C Hub: Features an HDMI port, two USB-A 3.0 ports, and a USB-C data port, each providing 5Gbps transfer speeds. It also includes a USB-C PD input port for charging up to 100W and dual SD and TF card slots, all in a compact design.
- Flawless 4K@60Hz Video with HDMI: Delivers exceptional clarity and smoothness with its 4K@60Hz HDMI port, making it ideal for high-definition presentations and entertainment. (Note: Only the HDMI port supports video projection; the USB-C port is for data transfer only.)
- Double Up on Efficiency: The two USB-A 3.0 ports and a USB-C port support a fast 5Gbps data rate, significantly boosting your transfer speeds and improving productivity.
- Fast and Reliable 85W Charging: Offers high-capacity, speedy charging for laptops up to 85W, so you spend less time tethered to an outlet and more time being productive.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (7-in-1), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
Plan for memory, disk, and backups
Memory and storage need depend on what you capture. The installation wiki gives 1 GB RAM as a minimum and recommends at least 2 GB. It cautions that a 1 GB VPS running full default crawls should have at least 4 GB of swap; swap does not replace the value of adequate RAM, so treat that as a specific low-memory operating condition rather than a general sizing target.
The project estimates roughly 1 GB to 50 GB per 1,000 snapshots, with most of the variation attributed to whether audio or video is captured and the configured maximum media size. Use that as a broad planning range, not a promise about your collection. Estimate from your intended extractor and media settings, then leave room for growth and backups. The project recommends compression- and deduplication-capable filesystems such as ZFS or BTRFS for storage efficiency. It also says the SQLite index should preferably remain on a local drive, while the archive folder can use slower or network storage.
Rank #4
- Dual Converters, Infinite Potential：Includes 2× USB C male to USB A female adapters and 2× USB A male to USB C female adapters. Perfect for a wide range of uses—tablets with Bluetooth keyboards, expand USB ports on macbook, and more. Two different converters for all your daily needs
- Next-Level 10Gbps & 3A Charging: No more slow 480Mbps, this usb to usb c adapter has a transfer speed of up to 10Gbps, allowing you to do more transferring in less time. This usb adapter fits both USB A and USB C charger, supporting up to 3A fast charging
- Upgraded Exquisite Craftsmanship: With an aluminum alloy housing and metal connector, the usbc to usb adapter is extremely durable and sturdy. Rigorously tested to withstand more than 10,000 times of plugging and unplugging, ensuring long-lasting performance
- Broad Compatible: The usb c to usb adapter widely supports all USB C/ USB A devices like laptops, tablets, cellphones, car chargers, and phone chargers. Such as compatible with MacBook Pro/Air 2023/2022, Thunderbolt 4/3 Devices,Apple MagSafe Watch 9/8/7/SE/Ultra, iPad Pro 2022/2021, Samsung Galaxy S23/S20/S10, and iPhone 17/16/15 Pro. Plug and play
- Please Note: To reach 10Gbps speed, keep the cable under 3.3 ft. For USB A Male to USB C adapters, try flipping the USB C connector. USB C Male to USB A adapters support bidirectional 10Gbps transfer within 3.3 ft
Understand replay security before exposing an archive
Archived JavaScript is untrusted content. ArchiveBox documents a default approach that separates full replay onto isolated *.localhost subdomains and disables JavaScript replay on ordinary public or LAN hostnames. Enabling full replay on other subdomains requires wildcard DNS and TLS. These controls matter because replaying an archived page is different from simply storing its files: scripts can execute in a browser context.
Before making an instance reachable beyond a trusted environment, review the project’s current security and JavaScript replay documentation, understand which replay mode your deployment uses, and restrict access appropriately. Do not assume a captured page is safe merely because it is old or stored locally.
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Best Value
- 5-in-1 Connectivity: Equipped with a 4K HDMI port, a 5 Gbps USB-C data port, two 5 Gbps USB-A ports, and a USB C 100W PD-IN port. Note: The USB C 100W PD-IN port supports only charging and does not support data transfer devices such as headphones or speakers.
- Powerful Pass-Through Charging: Supports up to 85W pass-through charging so you can power up your laptop while you use the hub. Note: Pass-through charging requires a charger (not included). Note: To achieve full power for iPad, we recommend using a 45W wall charger.
- Transfer Files in Seconds: Move files to and from your laptop at speeds of up to 5 Gbps via the USB-C and USB-A data ports. Note: The USB C 5Gbps Data port does not support video output.
- HD Display: Connect to the HDMI port to stream or mirror content to an external monitor in resolutions of up to 4K@30Hz. Note: The USB-C ports do not support video output.
- What You Get: Anker 332 USB-C Hub (5-in-1), welcome guide, our worry-free 18-month warranty, and friendly customer service.
When ArchiveBox is a good fit
- You want a self-hosted collection and are willing to maintain its host, dependencies, files, and backups.
- You value having multiple capture outputs and can accept that a site’s behavior may limit what is preserved.
- You can plan storage around your media settings rather than assuming every snapshot has the same size.
- You understand the implications of replaying untrusted JavaScript and can configure access and isolation.
It is a weaker fit if you expect a managed service that requires no deployment work, or if you need guaranteed capture fidelity across sites without testing your specific workflow.
Or skip the browser setup
If your immediate need is a screenshot rather than a self-hosted archive, ScreenshotNeo is a website screenshot API and MCP server. For example, its API can return a screenshot in one GET request:
curl -G "https://api.screenshotneo.com/v1/shot" -d access_key=YOUR_API_KEY --data-urlencode url=https://stripe.com -o shot.webpSee the ScreenshotNeo API documentation for parameters and response details. ScreenshotNeo removes cookie banners, newsletter popups, and chat widgets before capture; bot checks, blank pages, and failed loads are not billed; and its MCP server lets AI agents take screenshots. The free plan includes 1,000 screenshots per month with no card, and paid plans start at $5 for 3,000. Sign up for the free plan.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use ArchiveBox without its web interface?
Yes. The project describes CLI use without running the web server.
Does ArchiveBox guarantee a full copy of every website?
No. Its available extractors and output formats are broad, but capture outcomes depend on the target site and its behavior.
Quick Recap
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