Introduction
ConvertX provides a clean web UI for file conversion that you can host on your own server. It wraps multiple conversion backends into a single interface, eliminating the need for online converters that may compromise your data.
What ConvertX Does
- Converts documents, images, audio, video, and archive formats through a browser UI
- Supports batch conversion of multiple files at once
- Integrates LibreOffice, FFmpeg, ImageMagick, and other engines under one roof
- Runs entirely on your hardware with no external API calls
- Provides a drag-and-drop interface for quick uploads
Architecture Overview
ConvertX is a TypeScript application built with Bun and Elysia. It delegates actual conversion work to system-level tools like FFmpeg, LibreOffice, and ImageMagick installed in the Docker image. The web frontend communicates with the backend API that queues and processes conversion jobs.
Self-Hosting & Configuration
- Run via Docker with a single command, no external database required
- Configure max file size and concurrent jobs via environment variables
- Mount a volume to persist converted files across container restarts
- Place behind a reverse proxy for TLS termination
- Supports custom themes via Tailwind CSS configuration
Key Features
- Covers 1000+ format combinations through multiple conversion backends
- Privacy-first: all processing happens locally on your server
- Lightweight container image with minimal resource overhead
- Clean responsive UI that works on desktop and mobile browsers
- No user accounts required for simple deployments
Comparison with Similar Tools
- CloudConvert — cloud-hosted with usage limits; ConvertX keeps files on your server
- Stirling PDF — focused on PDF operations only; ConvertX covers all file types
- FileConverter (desktop) — Windows-only desktop app; ConvertX runs in a browser
- Pandoc — CLI-only document converter; ConvertX adds a graphical interface
- OmniTools — broader web toolbox but fewer conversion format combinations
FAQ
Q: What conversion backends does ConvertX use? A: It wraps FFmpeg for audio and video, LibreOffice for documents, ImageMagick for images, and several other tools depending on the format.
Q: Is there a file size limit? A: The default limit is configurable via environment variables. Since it runs on your own hardware, you control the constraints.
Q: Does it require a database? A: No, ConvertX operates without an external database. Conversion state is managed in memory.
Q: Can I restrict access to specific users? A: The application itself does not include authentication, but you can place it behind a reverse proxy with auth middleware.