Filebin 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 | Filebin | ProjectSend |
|---|---|---|
| Deploy effort | Under-an-hour setup | Under-an-hour setup |
| Health score | 77 · Good | 85 · Excellent |
| Category | File Sync & Storage | File Sync & Storage |
| License | BSD-3-Clause | GPL-2.0 |
| Language | Go | PHP |
| Setup difficulty | Easy | Easy |
| Min. RAM | 128 MB | 256 MB |
| Deployment | docker, binary | docker, bare-metal |
| GitHub stars | ★ 282 | ★ 2,022 |
| First released | 2014 | 2012 |
| Replaces | WeTransfer, Firefox Send | Dropbox, WeTransfer |
What are Filebin and ProjectSend?
Filebin
Filebin is a self-hosted file-sharing service where users drop files into shareable bins that expire automatically. It requires no registration and is convenient for quick transfers.
- Auto-expiring bins
- No registration
- Drag-and-drop upload
- Simple deployment
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
Filebin vs ProjectSend: key differences
Filebin is written in Go, while ProjectSend is built with PHP. Licensing differs — BSD-3-Clause for Filebin versus GPL-2.0 for ProjectSend. Filebin is the lighter option, starting around 128 MB of RAM against 256 MB for ProjectSend. ProjectSend is the more established project (first released 2012), while Filebin arrived in 2014. ProjectSend has the considerably larger community, at 2,022 GitHub stars versus 282.
Why pick each one
Choose Filebin if…
- Released under the BSD-3-Clause license
- Easy to set up — beginner-friendly
- First-class Docker support for quick deployment
- Written in Go
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 Filebin or ProjectSend better?
Neither is universally better. ProjectSend has the larger community; both share a easy setup difficulty, so the decision comes down to features and licensing.
Are Filebin and ProjectSend free and open-source?
Yes. Filebin is licensed under BSD-3-Clause and ProjectSend under GPL-2.0. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run Filebin and ProjectSend with Docker?
Filebin: yes. ProjectSend: yes.
Which is lighter on resources, Filebin or ProjectSend?
Filebin has the smaller minimum footprint at 128 MB of RAM, compared to about 256 MB for ProjectSend. Real-world usage depends on library size, user count, and enabled features.