CryptPad vs Dufs
A side-by-side comparison of two self-hosted file sync & storage options — licensing, setup difficulty, resource needs, and what each one replaces.
CryptPad
End-to-end encrypted collaboration suite
VS
Dufs
Distinctive utility file server with WebDAV support
| Feature | CryptPad | Dufs |
|---|---|---|
| Deploy effort | Under-an-hour setup | Under-an-hour setup |
| Health score | 91 · Excellent | 86 · Excellent |
| Category | File Sync & Storage | File Sync & Storage |
| License | AGPL-3.0 | Apache-2.0 |
| Language | JavaScript | Rust |
| Setup difficulty | Medium | Easy |
| Min. RAM | 512 MB | 32 MB |
| Deployment | docker, bare-metal | docker, binary |
| GitHub stars | ★ 7,953 | ★ 10,778 |
| First released | 2015 | 2022 |
| Replaces | Google Drive, Microsoft 365 | Dropbox, Google Drive |
What are CryptPad and Dufs?
CryptPad
CryptPad is an end-to-end encrypted collaboration suite with documents, spreadsheets, and a personal drive, where the server cannot read user data. It suits privacy-focused individuals and teams. It is deployed via Docker or a Node.js installation.
- Zero-knowledge end-to-end encryption
- Real-time collaborative editing
- Documents, sheets and forms
- Personal encrypted drive
Dufs
Dufs is a lightweight single-binary file server that supports static serving, uploading, searching, and WebDAV. It offers access control, resumable uploads, and a clean web UI.
- Single-binary file server
- WebDAV support
- Access control and resumable uploads
CryptPad vs Dufs: key differences
CryptPad is written in JavaScript, while Dufs is built with Rust. Licensing differs — AGPL-3.0 for CryptPad versus Apache-2.0 for Dufs. Dufs is the lighter option, starting around 32 MB of RAM against 512 MB for CryptPad. CryptPad is the more established project (first released 2015), while Dufs arrived in 2022.
Why pick each one
Choose CryptPad if…
- Strong privacy guarantees
- Real-time collaboration
- No account needed to start
Watch out for
- Encryption limits server-side search
- Heavier client than plain editors
Choose Dufs if…
- Released under the Apache-2.0 license
- Easy to set up — beginner-friendly
- First-class Docker support for quick deployment
- Mature project with 10.8k GitHub stars
Frequently asked questions
Is CryptPad or Dufs better?
Dufs is the stronger all-round pick: it has both the larger community and the simpler easy setup. Consider CryptPad if its specific feature set fits your needs better.
Are CryptPad and Dufs free and open-source?
Yes. CryptPad is licensed under AGPL-3.0 and Dufs under Apache-2.0. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run CryptPad and Dufs with Docker?
CryptPad: yes. Dufs: yes.
Which is lighter on resources, CryptPad or Dufs?
Dufs has the smaller minimum footprint at 32 MB of RAM, compared to about 512 MB for CryptPad. Real-world usage depends on library size, user count, and enabled features.