croc vs PsiTransfer
A side-by-side comparison of two self-hosted file sync & storage options — licensing, setup difficulty, resource needs, and what each one replaces.
PsiTransfer
Simple open-source file sharing solution
| Feature | croc | PsiTransfer |
|---|---|---|
| Deploy effort | Read-the-docs project | Under-an-hour setup |
| Health score | 99 · Excellent | 76 · Good |
| Category | File Sync & Storage | File Sync & Storage |
| License | MIT | MIT |
| Language | Go | JavaScript |
| Setup difficulty | Easy | Easy |
| Min. RAM | 32 MB | 128 MB |
| Deployment | binary | docker, binary |
| GitHub stars | ★ 40,431 | ★ 1,951 |
| First released | 2018 | 2017 |
| Replaces | WeTransfer, AirDrop | WeTransfer |
What are croc and PsiTransfer?
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
PsiTransfer
PsiTransfer is a self-hosted file sharing application with a drag-and-drop web interface. It supports resumable uploads, file expiration, and password protection.
- Resumable uploads
- Password-protected buckets
- Drag-and-drop interface
croc vs PsiTransfer: key differences
Croc is written in Go, while PsiTransfer is built with JavaScript. Croc is the lighter option, starting around 32 MB of RAM against 128 MB for PsiTransfer. Croc has the considerably larger community, at 40,431 GitHub stars versus 1,951. PsiTransfer 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 PsiTransfer if…
- Released under the MIT license
- Easy to set up — beginner-friendly
- First-class Docker support for quick deployment
- Active community (2k GitHub stars)
Frequently asked questions
Is croc or PsiTransfer 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 PsiTransfer free and open-source?
Yes. croc is licensed under MIT and PsiTransfer under MIT. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run croc and PsiTransfer with Docker?
croc: check the project docs for container support. PsiTransfer: yes.
Which is lighter on resources, croc or PsiTransfer?
croc has the smaller minimum footprint at 32 MB of RAM, compared to about 128 MB for PsiTransfer. Real-world usage depends on library size, user count, and enabled features.