Gokapi vs Plik
A side-by-side comparison of two self-hosted file sync & storage options — licensing, setup difficulty, resource needs, and what each one replaces.
| Feature | Gokapi | Plik |
|---|---|---|
| Deploy effort | Under-an-hour setup | Read-the-docs project |
| Health score | 84 · Excellent | 82 · Excellent |
| Category | File Sync & Storage | File Sync & Storage |
| License | AGPL-3.0 | MIT |
| Language | Go | Go |
| Setup difficulty | Easy | Medium |
| Min. RAM | 64 MB | 50 MB |
| Deployment | docker, binary | bare-metal |
| GitHub stars | ★ 2,881 | ★ 1,821 |
| First released | 2021 | None |
| Replaces | WeTransfer, Firefox Send | WeTransfer |
What are Gokapi and Plik?
Gokapi
Gokapi is a minimalist file sharing server inspired by Firefox Send. It lets you upload files and generate download links that can expire after a set time or number of downloads.
- Expiring download links
- End-to-end encryption option
- AWS S3 storage support
Plik
Temporary file upload system (Wetransfer like).
Gokapi vs Plik: key differences
Both projects are written in Go. Licensing differs — AGPL-3.0 for Gokapi versus MIT for Plik. Plik is the lighter option, starting around 50 MB of RAM against 64 MB for Gokapi. Gokapi lists first-class Docker deployment; Plik does not.
Why pick each one
Choose Gokapi if…
- Released under the AGPL-3.0 license
- Easy to set up — beginner-friendly
- First-class Docker support for quick deployment
- Active community (2.9k GitHub stars)
Choose Plik if…
- Released under the MIT license
- Active community (1.8k GitHub stars)
- Written in Go
- Tiny footprint — runs in 50 MB RAM
Frequently asked questions
Is Gokapi or Plik better?
Gokapi is the stronger all-round pick: it has both the larger community and the simpler easy setup. Consider Plik if its specific feature set fits your needs better.
Are Gokapi and Plik free and open-source?
Yes. Gokapi is licensed under AGPL-3.0 and Plik under MIT. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run Gokapi and Plik with Docker?
Gokapi: yes. Plik: check the project docs for container support.
Which is lighter on resources, Gokapi or Plik?
Plik has the smaller minimum footprint at 50 MB of RAM, compared to about 64 MB for Gokapi. Real-world usage depends on library size, user count, and enabled features.