croc vs ProjectSend
A side-by-side comparison of two self-hosted file sync & storage options — licensing, setup difficulty, resource needs, and what each one replaces.
ProjectSend
Self-hosted client-oriented file sharing
| Feature | croc | ProjectSend |
|---|---|---|
| Deploy effort | Read-the-docs project | Under-an-hour setup |
| Health score | 99 · Excellent | 85 · Excellent |
| Category | File Sync & Storage | File Sync & Storage |
| License | MIT | GPL-2.0 |
| Language | Go | PHP |
| Setup difficulty | Easy | Easy |
| Min. RAM | 32 MB | 256 MB |
| Deployment | binary | docker, bare-metal |
| GitHub stars | ★ 40,431 | ★ 2,022 |
| First released | 2018 | 2012 |
| Replaces | WeTransfer, AirDrop | Dropbox, WeTransfer |
What are croc and ProjectSend?
croc
croc is a tool that allows two computers to transfer files and folders simply and securely. It uses a relay with end-to-end encryption and a code-phrase system for pairing.
- End-to-end encrypted transfers
- Code-phrase pairing
- Self-hostable relay server
ProjectSend
ProjectSend is a self-hosted application for sharing files with clients in a private, organized way with per-client access. It targets freelancers and agencies delivering files to customers. It is deployed via a PHP stack or Docker.
- Per-client file delivery
- Group and permission management
- Email notifications
- Branding options
croc vs ProjectSend: key differences
Croc is written in Go, while ProjectSend is built with PHP. Licensing differs — MIT for croc versus GPL-2.0 for ProjectSend. Croc is the lighter option, starting around 32 MB of RAM against 256 MB for ProjectSend. ProjectSend is the more established project (first released 2012), while croc arrived in 2018. Croc has the considerably larger community, at 40,431 GitHub stars versus 2,022. ProjectSend lists first-class Docker deployment; croc does not.
Why pick each one
Choose croc if…
- Simple code-phrase pairing
- End-to-end encrypted
- Resumable transfers
Watch out for
- CLI only
- Public relay by default
Choose ProjectSend if…
- Great for client deliverables
- Simple to operate
- Clear access control
Watch out for
- Not a general sync tool
- Dated interface
Frequently asked questions
Is croc or ProjectSend better?
Neither is universally better. croc has the larger community; both share a easy setup difficulty, so the decision comes down to features and licensing.
Are croc and ProjectSend free and open-source?
Yes. croc is licensed under MIT and ProjectSend under GPL-2.0. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run croc and ProjectSend with Docker?
croc: check the project docs for container support. ProjectSend: yes.
Which is lighter on resources, croc or ProjectSend?
croc has the smaller minimum footprint at 32 MB of RAM, compared to about 256 MB for ProjectSend. Real-world usage depends on library size, user count, and enabled features.