Karakeep vs Wallabag
Self-host pick — both replace Pocket (Read-it-later / web article archive).
Both Karakeep and Wallabag self-host as a replacement for Pocket (Read-it-later / web article archive). Pick Wallabag if you want the lighter footprint — 20min docker-compose (PHP/Symfony app + MariaDB), $5 vps for a personal install; storage is tiny (text + thumbnails). Pick Karakeep if you need users who want an AI-tagged, full-page-archived knowledge base, not just a reading queue — 20min docker-compose (Next.js app + Meilisearch + Chrome browser worker) and $10 vps — the headless chrome worker for full-page screenshots adds memory overhead.
| Karakeepopen-source | Wallabagopen-source | |
|---|---|---|
| License | AGPL-3.0 | MIT |
| Setup time | 20min docker-compose (Next.js app + Meilisearch + Chrome browser worker) | 20min docker-compose (PHP/Symfony app + MariaDB) |
| Monthly cost | $10 VPS — the headless Chrome worker for full-page screenshots adds memory overhead. | $5 VPS for a personal install; storage is tiny (text + thumbnails). |
| GitHub | karakeep-app/karakeep | wallabag/wallabag |
| Replaces | Pocket + 1 other |
Good fit for
Karakeep
Users who want an AI-tagged, full-page-archived knowledge base, not just a reading queue.
Weak at:Heavier resource footprint and more moving parts than Wallabag; auto-tagging needs an LLM endpoint.
Wallabag
Pocket diehards who want a pixel-close replacement — same save flow, browser extension, mobile apps, reader view.
Weak at:Recommendation/discovery feed — Wallabag is queue-only; if you used Pocket's Discover, that's gone.
In a terminal? npx -y github:SolvoHQ/os-alt-cli pocket prints Pocket's self-host options including both —
how the CLI works →
FAQ
Which is easier to self-host, Karakeep or Wallabag?
Karakeep: 20min docker-compose (Next.js app + Meilisearch + Chrome browser worker). Wallabag: 20min docker-compose (PHP/Symfony app + MariaDB).
What does each cost to run?
Karakeep: $10 VPS — the headless Chrome worker for full-page screenshots adds memory overhead.. Wallabag: $5 VPS for a personal install; storage is tiny (text + thumbnails).. Both projects are free and open source.
Do Karakeep and Wallabag replace the same SaaS?
Yes — both are open-source alternatives to Pocket.