Wallabag is a self-hosted read-it-later application. It saves the full content of web articles to your own server so you can read them later, offline, and without ads. It is a privacy-respecting alternative to cloud services like Pocket, Instapaper, and Readwise Reader.

How does Wallabag save articles?

Wallabag fetches and parses the full text content of a web page and stores it in your database. It strips away ads, navigation, and other clutter, keeping only the readable article text and images. Articles remain accessible even if the original URL goes offline.

What browser extensions does Wallabag support?

Wallabag has official browser extensions for Firefox and Chrome/Chromium-based browsers. You configure the extension with your server URL, username, and password (or API token). Once set up, you can save any article with a single click directly to your self-hosted instance.

Can I read Wallabag articles on my phone?

Yes. Wallabag has official mobile apps for iOS and Android. The apps connect to your self-hosted instance via the REST API and support offline reading by downloading articles for local storage. You can also read via the mobile-responsive web interface in any browser.

Can I export articles from Wallabag?

Yes. Wallabag supports exporting articles to multiple formats: PDF, ePub, mobi (for Kindle), CSV, and JSON. You can export individual articles or entire tag collections. This makes it easy to load articles onto e-readers or archive content for long-term storage.

📖 Setup Wallabag — Self-Hosted Read-It-Later App

Deploy a self-hosted Pocket/Instapaper alternative that saves full article content for offline reading with tags, search, and browser extensions.

⚠️ This script is provided for demo and testing purposes only. Not intended for production use.

📦 Resources & Setup Scripts

Grab the automated bash script from GitHub to follow along with the video.

Quick Install:

wget https://raw.githubusercontent.com/mhmdali94/Docker/main/tools/wallabag/wallabag-ubuntu.sh
chmod +x wallabag-ubuntu.sh
sudo bash wallabag-ubuntu.sh

Tutorial Steps

1 Download & Run the Installer

The script installs Docker if needed, pulls the Wallabag image along with a PostgreSQL database container, and starts the stack. Wallabag will be available on port 80 with persistent article storage in the database volume.

wget https://raw.githubusercontent.com/mhmdali94/Docker/main/tools/wallabag/wallabag-ubuntu.sh
chmod +x wallabag-ubuntu.sh
sudo bash wallabag-ubuntu.sh

2 Access the Web UI

Open your browser and navigate to the Wallabag web interface. Log in with the default credentials (change them immediately after first login):

http://<your-server-ip>:80
# Default credentials: wallabag / wallabag

3 Install Browser Extension

Install the official Wallabag browser extension for Chrome or Firefox from your browser's extension store. Open the extension settings and enter your server URL (http://<your-server-ip>), username, and password. Once configured, a single click on the extension icon saves the current page to your Wallabag instance automatically.

4 Configure Mobile App

Download the official Wallabag app from the iOS App Store or Google Play Store. In the app settings, enter your server URL and credentials. The app syncs your articles for offline reading and lets you save new articles by sharing URLs from any app on your phone. For public access from outside your network, set up a reverse proxy with HTTPS using Nginx Proxy Manager or Caddy.

Ports Used

Port	Purpose
80	Wallabag Web UI
5432	PostgreSQL database (internal)

Overview

Wallabag is a self-hosted read-it-later application that saves articles and web pages in a clean readable format, strips ads, and stores them on your server. It supports browser extensions, mobile apps, a Kindle export, and RSS feeds for your saved articles.

Why Use It

Unlike Pocket or Instapaper, Wallabag stores your reading list on your own server with no subscription fees and no data shared with third parties. Your saved articles remain accessible even if the original page is deleted or the site goes down.

When You Need It

Who Should Use It

Real Use Cases

Main Features

How to Use After Installation

Security Best Practices

Ports and Firewall Notes

Wallabag runs on port 80 inside the container. Always serve it via HTTPS using a reverse proxy for mobile app compatibility. The mobile apps require HTTPS to connect — HTTP-only instances will not work with the official apps.

Backup and Maintenance

Common Mistakes

Troubleshooting

Alternatives

Alternatives include Pocket (cloud, limited free), Instapaper (cloud, paid), Hoarder (self-hosted with AI tagging), and Omnivore (open source, more modern). Choose Wallabag for a mature, lightweight self-hosted read-later app with excellent Kindle support.

When Not to Use It

Avoid Wallabag if you want AI-powered tagging and full-text search — Hoarder is better suited. Also avoid if you prefer a modern UI — Wallabag's interface is functional but dated compared to newer alternatives.

PrismaTechWork Professional Help

PrismaTechWork provides end-to-end infrastructure services — from initial deployment and security hardening to ongoing monitoring, automated backups, and dedicated support. Whether you need a single-server setup or a multi-site network, our team ensures your infrastructure is built right, secured properly, and maintained reliably.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I import articles from Pocket or Instapaper?

Yes. Wallabag supports importing from Pocket, Instapaper, Readability, and other services that export JSON or CSV. Go to Import in the sidebar, select your source, and upload the export file. Wallabag will import all saved articles and re-fetch their content.

How do I save articles from my browser?

Install the official Wallabag browser extension for Chrome or Firefox. After configuring it with your server URL and credentials, a toolbar button lets you save any open page with one click. You can also share URLs to Wallabag from Android or iOS.

Can I read saved articles on my Kindle?

Yes. Configure your Kindle email address in Wallabag settings and set up Amazon's approved senders. Then export individual articles or bundles to EPUB or MOBI and send them to your Kindle. Wallabag can also send articles automatically via a Kindle delivery feature.

Does Wallabag work offline on mobile?

Yes. The official iOS and Android apps download and cache saved articles for offline reading. Articles must be fetched while online, but once downloaded they are available without internet. The app syncs newly saved articles when connectivity returns.

Can multiple users share one Wallabag instance?

Yes. Wallabag supports multiple user accounts, each with their own separate reading list. Users can self-register if that option is enabled, or the admin can create accounts manually. Each user's articles are private and not visible to other users.