Dufs vs Unison
A side-by-side comparison of two self-hosted file sync & storage options — licensing, setup difficulty, resource needs, and what each one replaces.
| Feature | Dufs | Unison |
|---|---|---|
| Deploy effort | Under-an-hour setup | Read-the-docs project |
| Health score | 86 · Excellent | 88 · Excellent |
| Category | File Sync & Storage | File Sync & Storage |
| License | Apache-2.0 | GPL-3.0 |
| Language | Rust | OCaml |
| Setup difficulty | Easy | Medium |
| Min. RAM | 32 MB | 64 MB |
| Deployment | docker, binary | bare-metal, binary |
| GitHub stars | ★ 10,778 | ★ 5,493 |
| First released | 2022 | 1999 |
| Replaces | Dropbox, Google Drive | Dropbox |
What are Dufs and Unison?
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
Unison
Unison is a mature bidirectional file synchronization tool that reconciles changes made independently on two replicas. It detects conflicts, preserves both versions, and works over SSH for secure remote syncing.
- True bidirectional sync
- Conflict detection
- Works over SSH
- Cross-platform replicas
Dufs vs Unison: key differences
Dufs is written in Rust, while Unison is built with OCaml. Licensing differs — Apache-2.0 for Dufs versus GPL-3.0 for Unison. Dufs is the lighter option, starting around 32 MB of RAM against 64 MB for Unison. Unison is the more established project (first released 1999), while Dufs arrived in 2022. Dufs lists first-class Docker deployment; Unison does not.
Why pick each one
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
Choose Unison if…
- Very reliable
- Fine-grained control
Watch out for
- Dated GTK interface
- Version matching between hosts
Frequently asked questions
Is Dufs or Unison better?
Dufs is the stronger all-round pick: it has both the larger community and the simpler easy setup. Consider Unison if its specific feature set fits your needs better.
Are Dufs and Unison free and open-source?
Yes. Dufs is licensed under Apache-2.0 and Unison under GPL-3.0. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run Dufs and Unison with Docker?
Dufs: yes. Unison: check the project docs for container support.
Which is lighter on resources, Dufs or Unison?
Dufs has the smaller minimum footprint at 32 MB of RAM, compared to about 64 MB for Unison. Real-world usage depends on library size, user count, and enabled features.