TL;DR
KaraDAV is a minimal WebDAV server written in PHP 8+ that aims to provide fast, Nextcloud/ownCloud-compatible file access with only SQLite as a dependency. The project emphasizes small footprint, high performance, and compatibility with desktop and mobile sync clients while focusing solely on file services rather than the broader Nextcloud feature set.
What happened
A compact WebDAV server called KaraDAV is available as an alternative to heavier file-sharing platforms. Implemented in PHP (version 8 or later) and using SQLite for storage, the project is presented as a low-dependency solution with a codebase under ~7.5k lines and a package size under 1MB. It supports WebDAV classes 1–3, ETags, HTTP range requests, RFC 3230 MD5 digest on HEAD requests, Content-MD5 for uploads, and partial compatibility with some Microsoft properties. KaraDAV also exposes Nextcloud-specific hooks such as the Notes API (v1.3), chunked uploads, OC headers for integrity checks, and app-specific passwords to work with Nextcloud/ownCloud clients. The project includes a web UI, an integrated file manager, optional WOPI support for online office editing, LDAP integration and a trashbin. The maintainers report significantly faster directory operations than a Nextcloud installation in their local benchmarks.
Why it matters
- Small footprint and minimal dependencies make deployment simpler on lightweight hosts and single-board computers.
- Compatibility with Nextcloud/ownCloud clients enables two-way sync for users who need a slim file-only server.
- Reported performance is substantially faster than Nextcloud for common file operations, which can reduce sync times and server load.
- Features such as chunked uploads, per-user quotas, and LDAP support cover many core needs without a full Nextcloud stack.
Key facts
- Written in PHP 8+ with SQLite3 as the only external dependency.
- Package size reported as under 1MB and roughly 7,500 lines of code.
- Maintainer claims KaraDAV is more than 20x faster than Nextcloud in specific local tests.
- Supports WebDAV classes 1–3, ETags, HTTP range requests, and RFC 3230 MD5 digest on HEAD.
- Provides a web UI and an integrated WebDAV-based file manager with upload, rename, delete, edit and preview features.
- Includes Nextcloud-specific features: Notes API v1.3, chunked uploads, OC-Checksum/OC-MTime headers, and app-specific passwords.
- Offers WOPI compatibility for online editing with Collabora or OnlyOffice, and LDAP integration.
- Implements a trashbin (.trash) and supports per-user quotas; file versioning, sharing and search are listed as planned.
- Source code is available in a Fossil repository and mirrored on GitHub (issues and PRs accepted).
What to watch next
- Planned features on the roadmap include file versioning, file sharing and file searching.
- iOS client behavior: iOS clients are currently blocked by default; community testing and patches are invited.
- Client compatibility may change: Nextcloud/ownCloud client updates could break KaraDAV interoperability at any time.
Quick glossary
- WebDAV: An HTTP extension that enables clients to perform remote web content authoring operations like uploading, downloading and manipulating files on a server.
- Nextcloud/ownCloud clients: Official desktop and mobile applications that synchronize files between local devices and a compatible WebDAV or server implementation.
- WOPI: Web Application Open Platform Interface, a protocol that allows web-based office editors to integrate with file storage services for document viewing and editing.
- SQLite: A lightweight, file-based SQL database engine commonly used when a full database server is unnecessary.
Reader FAQ
Is KaraDAV a full replacement for Nextcloud?
No. KaraDAV focuses on file services and is not intended to replicate Nextcloud's full feature set.
What are the runtime dependencies?
PHP 8 or later and SQLite3; no separate database server is required.
Does KaraDAV support mobile and desktop sync clients?
Yes. It is reported compatible with many Nextcloud/ownCloud desktop and Android clients; iOS clients are blocked by default.
Where can I find the source code and report issues?
The project repository is hosted on Fossil and mirrored on GitHub; the GitHub mirror accepts issues and pull requests.
Is it production-ready?
not confirmed in the source
KaraDAV – A lightweight WebDAV server, compatible with ownCloud and NextCloud clients Donate to this project This is a simple and lightweight WebDAV server, allowing to easily set up a…
Sources
- KaraDAV – Lightweight Nextcloud compatible WebDAV server
- WebDAV cloud storage
- putraeka/karadav – Docker Image
- KaraDAV – lightweight WebDAV server
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