XDA called Kage the “stupid simple” way to package entire websites into single files, and it has become a lot of writers’ favorite read-it-later app. That is the tip of a bigger problem: the internet keeps deleting itself. Blogs go dark, forums nuke old posts, docs move behind logins. If you rely on a link, archive it while it still resolves.
We tested eight of the best apps for archiving websites before they disappear, on Windows, macOS, and Linux. Some make single-file HTMLs you can open forever. Some run full collections you self-host. The right one depends on how much you’re archiving and who else needs access.
What to look for in a website-archiving app
- Single-file vs collection. A single-file HTML you can email is different from a full archive server.
- JavaScript-heavy site support. Static scrapers break on modern SPAs. Full-browser capture handles them.
- Metadata capture. Title, author, date, and reading time make archives searchable later.
- Export formats. HTML, WARC, PDF, Markdown, plain text. More formats mean more portability.
- Self-hosted option. For legal or privacy reasons, some archives should never touch a third-party server.
- One-click browser extension. If it takes more than a click, you won’t use it.
Quick comparison
| App | Best for | Platforms | Free plan | Starting price/mo |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ArchiveBox | Self-hosted archive collection | Docker on all OS | Yes | Free |
| SingleFile | Single-HTML browser extension | All browsers | Yes | Free |
| Wallabag | Self-hosted read-later archive | All OS + Web | Yes | Free self-host |
| Zotero | Research-grade citation archive | Mac, Windows, Linux | Yes | Free |
| Kage | Cross-platform single-file archiver | Mac, iOS | Yes | $4.99 per month |
| HTTrack | Full-site mirror crawler | Windows, Linux | Yes | Free |
| Webrecorder ArchiveWeb.page | WARC capture with JS support | All browsers | Yes | Free |
| Obsidian Web Clipper | Archive into Obsidian vault | Mac, Windows, Linux | Yes | Free |
The best website-archiving apps
1. ArchiveBox, best self-hosted collection
ArchiveBox is the flagship open-source archive server. Feed it URLs (via web UI, browser extension, Pocket import, bookmark file) and it produces HTML, WARC, PDF, screenshot, and readability-extracted text versions of each page. Runs in Docker.
ArchiveBox for archiving websites suits anyone building a personal library. It handles JS-heavy pages using headless Chromium and keeps a searchable index.
Where it falls short: Docker setup is real work. Search UI is functional, not polished.
Pricing:
- Free: fully self-hosted
- Paid: none
Platforms: Docker on Windows, Mac, Linux
Download: ArchiveBox
Bottom line: Perfect for anyone who wants a permanent, searchable, multi-format archive of every important link. Skip if you don’t want to run Docker.
2. SingleFile, best one-click extension
SingleFile is the browser extension that everyone points to when someone asks “how do I save this page.” One click, and the page (with images, CSS, and inline fonts) becomes a single HTML file you can open forever. Chrome, Firefox, and Edge supported.
SingleFile for archiving websites is the friction-free daily driver. Save now, worry about organization later.
Where it falls short: No index across saved files. You end up with a folder of HTMLs unless you also use something to organize them.
Pricing:
- Free: full extension features
- Paid: none
Platforms: Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Safari (via extension)
Download: SingleFile
Bottom line: Perfect as the daily-driver save button. Combine with ArchiveBox or Obsidian for search.
3. Wallabag, best self-hosted read-later
Wallabag is the self-hosted read-later app. Save articles from any browser or app, get clean readable versions, tag and search across your library.
Wallabag for archiving websites is Pocket without the vendor risk. If Pocket ever shuts down, your library is safe.
Where it falls short: Full-content archives are optimized for readability, not fidelity. Not the tool for pixel-accurate captures.
Pricing:
- Free: self-host with Docker
- Paid: hosted plan $11 per year
Platforms: Web + mobile apps
Download: Wallabag
Bottom line: Perfect for read-later habits with permanent archives you own. Skip if you need visual fidelity.
4. Zotero, best research-grade archive
Zotero is a citation manager that also archives pages. Web browser extension captures the page, extracts author/title/date/publication metadata, and stores the snapshot. Runs local, syncs across devices.
Zotero for archiving websites is the pick for researchers, students, and writers who cite sources. Metadata quality is best-in-class.
Where it falls short: Overkill for casual save-later. Free sync is capped at 300 MB.
Pricing:
- Free: local library plus 300 MB sync
- Paid: cloud storage from $20 per year
Platforms: Mac, Windows, Linux
Download: Zotero
Bottom line: Perfect for research work that needs citation metadata. Skip for casual archiving.
5. Kage, best cross-platform single-file archiver
Kage is the newer Mac and iOS app the XDA piece called out. It archives pages as single self-contained files (like SingleFile) but adds iCloud sync, a proper reader UI, and organizational tags. Works as a read-later app too.
Kage for archiving websites hits the sweet spot for Mac/iOS users who want the SingleFile approach with sync and tags.
Where it falls short: Apple platforms only. No Windows or Linux support.
Pricing:
- Free: limited saves
- Paid: $4.99 per month unlimited
Platforms: macOS, iOS, iPadOS
Download: Kage
Bottom line: Perfect for Mac and iOS users who want a polished single-file archiver with sync. Skip if you’re on Windows or Linux.
6. HTTrack, best full-site mirror
HTTrack is the classic full-site crawler. Point it at a URL, set depth, and it mirrors the entire site to your disk. Been around for decades, still works.
HTTrack for archiving websites is the pick when you want to capture an entire site’s structure, not just a page.
Where it falls short: No JavaScript support. Modern SPA sites don’t archive cleanly.
Pricing:
- Free: fully open source
- Paid: none
Platforms: Windows, Linux (Mac via workarounds)
Download: HTTrack
Bottom line: Perfect for mirroring static sites or documentation before a shutdown. Skip on modern JS-heavy sites.
7. Webrecorder ArchiveWeb.page, best JS-aware capture
Webrecorder produces WARC files (the same format the Internet Archive uses) with full JavaScript state capture. The ArchiveWeb.page browser extension records your session as you browse, capturing everything you actually see.
Webrecorder ArchiveWeb.page for archiving websites is the answer for JS-heavy, login-gated, or dynamic sites where static scraping fails.
Where it falls short: WARC files are less portable than single HTML. Playback requires the ReplayWeb.page viewer.
Pricing:
- Free: full extension features
- Paid: hosted collections from $5 per month
Platforms: Chrome, Edge, Firefox (via extension)
Download: Webrecorder ArchiveWeb.page
Bottom line: Perfect for capturing complex, dynamic web content. Skip for casual page saves.
8. Obsidian Web Clipper, best archive-into-notes workflow
Obsidian Web Clipper saves pages directly into an Obsidian vault as Markdown. You keep the reader-friendly extract, add tags and notes, and everything sits inside your knowledge graph.
Obsidian Web Clipper for archiving websites suits people who already live in Obsidian. Search and backlink integration are the win.
Where it falls short: Markdown loses visual fidelity, and you have to be in Obsidian to enjoy the payoff.
Pricing:
- Free: clipper extension and Obsidian
- Paid: Obsidian Sync from $4 per month if you want cross-device
Platforms: Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Safari
Download: Obsidian Web Clipper
Bottom line: Perfect for Obsidian users who want archives inside their vault. Skip if you don’t already use Obsidian.
How to pick the right one
- If you want a searchable permanent archive library: ArchiveBox
- If you want a one-click daily driver: SingleFile or Kage
- If you want read-later habits with permanent storage: Wallabag
- If you’re citing sources for research or writing: Zotero
- If you’re archiving static docs before a shutdown: HTTrack
- If the site is JS-heavy or login-gated: Webrecorder ArchiveWeb.page
- If you live in Obsidian: Obsidian Web Clipper
FAQ
How do I archive a webpage before it disappears?
Install SingleFile as a one-click extension for casual saves, run ArchiveBox for a permanent searchable library, or use Zotero if you cite the source. All three are free.
Is there a free alternative to the Wayback Machine for personal archives?
ArchiveBox is the closest free self-hosted answer. It captures pages in multiple formats (HTML, PDF, WARC, screenshot) and runs entirely on your own hardware.
Can I archive a JavaScript-heavy site?
Webrecorder ArchiveWeb.page records your live browser session including JS state and produces WARC files with full fidelity. ArchiveBox also uses headless Chromium and handles most SPAs cleanly.
What is the difference between Kage and SingleFile?
Kage is a paid Mac/iOS app with sync, tags, and a reader UI. SingleFile is a free cross-browser extension that produces single-HTML files but leaves organization to you.
Which archiving app is best for research?
Zotero for citation metadata, Obsidian Web Clipper for personal knowledge management, and ArchiveBox for the deepest permanent library.
