0bin vs Pastefy
A side-by-side comparison of two self-hosted pastebins & snippets options — licensing, setup difficulty, resource needs, and what each one replaces.
Pastefy
Modern pastebin with folders, encryption, and an API
| Feature | 0bin | Pastefy |
|---|---|---|
| Deploy effort | Under-an-hour setup | Under-an-hour setup |
| Health score | 29 · At risk | 70 · Good |
| Category | Pastebins & Snippets | Pastebins & Snippets |
| License | WTFPL | Apache-2.0 |
| Language | JavaScript | Vue |
| Setup difficulty | Easy | Medium |
| Min. RAM | 256 MB | 512 MB |
| Deployment | docker, bare-metal | docker, bare-metal |
| GitHub stars | ★ 1,402 | ★ 457 |
| First released | 2012 | 2019 |
| Replaces | Pastebin.com | Pastebin.com, GitHub Gist |
What are 0bin and Pastefy?
0bin
0bin is a client-side encrypted pastebin that the server operator cannot read. It encrypts pastes in the browser and offers expiration and burn-after-reading without requiring registration.
- Client-side encryption
- No accounts required
- Burn after reading
- Expiration options
Pastefy
Pastefy is a modern, open-source pastebin application with a clean interface. It supports client-side encryption, multi-paste folders, an extensive API, and optional user accounts.
- Client-side encryption
- Multi-paste folders
- Full REST API
- Optional accounts
0bin vs Pastefy: key differences
0bin is written in JavaScript, while Pastefy is built with Vue. Licensing differs — WTFPL for 0bin versus Apache-2.0 for Pastefy. 0bin is the lighter option, starting around 256 MB of RAM against 512 MB for Pastefy. 0bin is the more established project (first released 2012), while Pastefy arrived in 2019. 0bin has the considerably larger community, at 1,402 GitHub stars versus 457.
Why pick each one
Choose 0bin if…
- Released under the WTFPL license
- Easy to set up — beginner-friendly
- First-class Docker support for quick deployment
- Active community (1.4k GitHub stars)
Choose Pastefy if…
- Released under the Apache-2.0 license
- First-class Docker support for quick deployment
- Written in Vue
- Lightweight — runs in 512 MB RAM
Frequently asked questions
Is 0bin or Pastefy better?
0bin is the stronger all-round pick: it has both the larger community and the simpler easy setup. Consider Pastefy if its specific feature set fits your needs better.
Are 0bin and Pastefy free and open-source?
Yes. 0bin is licensed under WTFPL and Pastefy under Apache-2.0. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run 0bin and Pastefy with Docker?
0bin: yes. Pastefy: yes.
Which is lighter on resources, 0bin or Pastefy?
0bin has the smaller minimum footprint at 256 MB of RAM, compared to about 512 MB for Pastefy. Real-world usage depends on library size, user count, and enabled features.