Summary: With Pocket shutting down, I explored better ways to save and archive web content and found two standout options: SingleFile, a simple browser extension that lets anyone create secure, portable backups of web pages with a single click—no technical expertise needed—and KaraKeep, an open source, self-hosted tool for those comfortable following basic instructions, offering robust archiving and affordable AI-powered article summaries. Both solutions give users full control and peace of mind, making them strong, future-proof alternatives for anyone who wants to own their reading list and digital archive.
With the announcement that Pocket is shutting down, I found myself rethinking how I save and archive articles online. Pocket has been a staple for years, but its closure is a reminder that relying on cloud services always carries some risk. After exploring several options, I landed on two strong replacements that put the user back in control: SingleFile, a simple yet powerful browser extension for local backups, and KaraKeep, a self-hosted, AI-powered archiving tool.
The Secure, Simple Option: SingleFile for Local Backups
If you want an easy, non-technical way to save web content permanently, SingleFile is hard to beat. This browser extension works with Chrome, Firefox, Edge, and Safari (SingleFile for Safari). With just one click, you can save a complete web page—including images, layout, and formatting—as a single HTML file on your computer.
Why SingleFile Stands Out
- No Server Required: Save pages directly to your device, no hosting or configuration needed.
- Full Fidelity: Keeps the look and feel of the original page, including graphics and even some interactive content.
- Ultimate Portability: Your HTML files can be backed up, shared, or opened on any device with a browser.
- Privacy and Security: Files are stored only on your own devices—no cloud, no third parties, nothing to shut down.
- Perfect for Non-Techies: If you can install a browser extension, you can use SingleFile. It’s truly set-and-forget.
I especially recommend SingleFile for people who want a trustworthy, low-maintenance backup of important articles, receipts, technical documentation, or any page that might disappear in the future. Organize your saved files in folders, sync them to cloud storage for extra redundancy, or simply keep them on an external drive for peace of mind.
For the Tinkerers: Self-Hosting and AI-Powered Archives with KaraKeep
If you’re comfortable running a server or VPS, KaraKeep offers a more advanced and flexible approach to digital archiving. The best part? You don’t need to be an expert to get started—just comfortable following some straightforward setup instructions. KaraKeep is designed for anyone who wants to self-host their own web archive, complete with AI-powered summaries, and the process is well-documented and approachable even if you’re new to self-hosting.
Why KaraKeep Stands Out
- Self-Hosted and Open Source: KaraKeep runs on your own server or VPS, giving you total control. The code is open source, so you’re not locked in and can customize or audit as you wish.
- Permanent Archiving: Every article you save is fully archived, not just bookmarked. Even if the original site is taken down, your copy remains accessible and intact.
- AI-Powered Summaries: With built-in OpenAI integration, KaraKeep can generate concise summaries of your saved articles, making it easy to keep up with a busy reading list. You only pay for what you use (typically pennies per summary, via your own OpenAI API key—see KaraKeep AI Pricing).
- Modern, Minimal UI: Enjoy a clean, user-friendly interface accessible from desktop or mobile. It’s simple to add, search, and browse your archive.
- No Monthly Fees (Just Hosting & AI Costs): KaraKeep itself is free and open source. Your only costs are your hosting (which can be as little as $2/month; I run mine on RackNerd for $35/two years) and any OpenAI usage for summaries.
- Data Ownership and Privacy: Since you’re hosting it, you decide where your data lives and who (if anyone) can access it.
- Flexible Integration: Includes bookmarklet and API options, so you can add content from your browser, RSS feeds, or automate your archiving workflows.
KaraKeep is ideal for anyone who wants a robust, modern, and privacy-focused alternative to Pocket—especially if you want full ownership of your archive and the power of AI at your fingertips.
Looking Back
Pocket’s shutdown is a wake-up call for anyone who relies on third-party read-it-later services. Whether you want a simple, secure, and portable local archive (SingleFile), or a full-featured, self-hosted, and AI-powered tool (KaraKeep), both of these solutions offer real, user-controlled alternatives.
If you’re looking for a future-proof archiving setup, I highly recommend giving either—or both—of these tools a try. You’ll have peace of mind knowing your archive is under your control, not subject to the whims of a corporate shutdown.