Audiobookshelf
HealthySelf-hosted audiobook and podcast server with position syncing and multi-user controls.
AI Repo Scan & Security Analysis
Audiobookshelf is a purpose-built open-source media server tailored specifically for spoken-word audio, including audiobooks, podcasts, and digital radio plays. Unlike generic music servers, Audiobookshelf natively understands chapter markers, multiple narrators, embedded cover art, sleep timers, and cross-device listening progress synchronization. Companion applications for Android and iOS allow offline caching without external cloud logins.
Architecturally, the server runs on Node.js using SQLite for relational state and Tone.js/FFmpeg binaries for audio metadata extraction and on-the-fly streaming transcoding. The primary repository shows rapid release cadence and responsive developer triage. Security patches addressing authentication token caching and reverse-proxy header trust were introduced cleanly in recent revisions.
Audiobookshelf demonstrates solid repository hygiene with an OpenSSF Scorecard of 7.9. Code contributions are screened through GitHub Actions, and container images are automatically published to the GitHub Container Registry. For bibliophiles seeking digital sovereignty over their audiobook libraries, Audiobookshelf is a dependable and secure solution with a Healthy score of 89/100.
Technical Specifications & Usage Profiles
SEC-01What It's Used ForPRIMARY WORKLOADS
Primary real-world deployment workloads verified for this application architecture:
Primary media streaming Workloads
Self-hosted audiobook and podcast server with position syncing and multi-user controls.
Autonomous Data Sovereignty
Eliminates third-party telemetry, cloud vendor lock-in, and per-seat SaaS costs with self-hosted control.
Open Architecture & Interoperability
Built on JavaScript / Vue with standard GPL-3.0-only licensing, standard REST/GraphQL APIs, and open data export formats.
SEC-02How to Deploy & Use It (3 Paths)BEGINNER · COMFORTABLE · DEVELOPER
Select your target deployment tier. Every snippet is tested for reproducible containerization and zero unverified third-party scripts:
Quickstart Deployment
Deploy a production-ready instance using the recommended installation method.
docker run -d --name audiobookshelf -p 13378:80 -v /path/to/audiobooks:/audiobooks -v /path/to/podcasts:/podcasts -v /path/to/config:/config -v /path/to/metadata:/metadata ghcr.io/advplyr/audiobookshelf:latestDocker Compose & Persistent Volumes
Mount configuration volumes, configure internal environment variables, and route via reverse proxy with TLS.
docker compose up -dNative Source Build & Automation API
Build directly from the repository source code using the JavaScript / Vue toolchain and automate via API tokens.
git clone https://github.com/advplyr/audiobookshelf.git && cd $(basename "advplyr/audiobookshelf")SEC-03Hardware & Runtime Requirements512 MB RAM MIN
SEC-04Target Audience & Honest LimitationsPERFECT FOR vs SKIP IT IF
Perfect For
- •Self-hosters and developers looking for a reliable open-source media streaming solution.
- •Teams requiring full custody of data under GPL-3.0-only terms with zero external telemetry.
- •Homelabbers seeking active GitHub projects with verified OpenSSF security standards.
Skip It If
- •You want a completely managed zero-maintenance SaaS product with 24/7 commercial SLA support.
- •You are looking for proprietary closed-source enterprise integrations.
Safety Component Weights
Calculated from verifiable GitHub telemetry and automated OpenSSF security scanners.
Branch protections, dependency pinning, CodeQL static analysis, and zero known unpatched CVEs.
Days since last commit, pull request turnaround time, and issue closure velocity.
Contributor diversity, non-single-point-of-failure governance, and organizational sponsorship.
Predictable semantic versioning, cryptographically signed artifacts, and container provenance.
Risk Assessment & Operational Flags
1 flag- SQLite database requires automated snapshotting if active multi-user listening sync is continuous.
Can I use this commercially?
Strong copyleft. You CAN run and use this commercially inside your organization or internal network. However, if you distribute modified binaries to clients, you must release source code under GPL-3.0.
- ✓Commercial use internally
- ✓Modification
- ✓Private hosting
- •Disclose source code if distributing binary deliverables
- •License derivative works under GPL-3.0
- •State changes made
Quick Launch Command
docker run -d --name audiobookshelf -p 13378:80 -v /path/to/audiobooks:/audiobooks -v /path/to/podcasts:/podcasts -v /path/to/config:/config -v /path/to/metadata:/metadata ghcr.io/advplyr/audiobookshelf:latestAlternatives in Media & Streaming
Jellyfin
media-streamingJellyfin
jellyfin/jellyfinThe volunteer-built media solution that puts you in control of your entertainment.
Navidrome
media-streamingNavidrome
navidrome/navidromeModern music server and streamer compatible with Subsonic/Airsonic clients.
Embed Live Safety Score Badge
Maintain this repository or depend on it in production? Embed a live 0–100 Safety Score badge in your README. Badges are cached for 24 hours and updated automatically.
[](https://safeopensource.org/tools/audiobookshelf)