Gokapi 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 | Gokapi | ProjectSend |
|---|---|---|
| Deploy effort | Under-an-hour setup | Under-an-hour setup |
| Health score | 84 · Excellent | 85 · Excellent |
| Category | File Sync & Storage | File Sync & Storage |
| License | AGPL-3.0 | GPL-2.0 |
| Language | Go | PHP |
| Setup difficulty | Easy | Easy |
| Min. RAM | 64 MB | 256 MB |
| Deployment | docker, binary | docker, bare-metal |
| GitHub stars | ★ 2,881 | ★ 2,022 |
| First released | 2021 | 2012 |
| Replaces | WeTransfer, Firefox Send | Dropbox, WeTransfer |
What are Gokapi and ProjectSend?
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
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
Gokapi vs ProjectSend: key differences
Gokapi is written in Go, while ProjectSend is built with PHP. Licensing differs — AGPL-3.0 for Gokapi versus GPL-2.0 for ProjectSend. Gokapi is the lighter option, starting around 64 MB of RAM against 256 MB for ProjectSend. ProjectSend is the more established project (first released 2012), while Gokapi arrived in 2021.
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 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 Gokapi or ProjectSend better?
Neither is universally better. Gokapi has the larger community; both share a easy setup difficulty, so the decision comes down to features and licensing.
Are Gokapi and ProjectSend free and open-source?
Yes. Gokapi is licensed under AGPL-3.0 and ProjectSend under GPL-2.0. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run Gokapi and ProjectSend with Docker?
Gokapi: yes. ProjectSend: yes.
Which is lighter on resources, Gokapi or ProjectSend?
Gokapi has the smaller minimum footprint at 64 MB of RAM, compared to about 256 MB for ProjectSend. Real-world usage depends on library size, user count, and enabled features.