Jirafeau vs Linx
A side-by-side comparison of two self-hosted file sync & storage options — licensing, setup difficulty, resource needs, and what each one replaces.
| Feature | Jirafeau | Linx |
|---|---|---|
| Deploy effort | Read-the-docs project | Under-an-hour setup |
| Category | File Sync & Storage | File Sync & Storage |
| License | AGPL-3.0-only | GPL-3.0 |
| Language | Go | |
| Setup difficulty | Medium | Easy |
| Min. RAM | 50 MB | 64 MB |
| Deployment | bare-metal | docker, binary |
| GitHub stars | — | ★ 1,582 |
| First released | 2023 | 2015 |
| Replaces | ImageShack, Imgur | WeTransfer, Imgur |
What are Jirafeau and Linx?
Jirafeau
Upload a file in a simple way and give a unique link to it.
Linx
Linx is a self-hosted file and code-paste sharing server with a clean interface. It supports expiring uploads, file deletion keys, an API, and torrent download generation.
- Expiring uploads
- Code syntax highlighting
- Torrent download support
Jirafeau vs Linx: key differences
Licensing differs — AGPL-3.0-only for Jirafeau versus GPL-3.0 for Linx. Jirafeau is the lighter option, starting around 50 MB of RAM against 64 MB for Linx. Linx is the more established project (first released 2015), while Jirafeau arrived in 2023. Linx lists first-class Docker deployment; Jirafeau does not.
Why pick each one
Choose Jirafeau if…
- Released under the AGPL-3.0-only license
- Tiny footprint — runs in 50 MB RAM
Choose Linx if…
- Released under the GPL-3.0 license
- Easy to set up — beginner-friendly
- First-class Docker support for quick deployment
- Active community (1.6k GitHub stars)
Frequently asked questions
Is Jirafeau or Linx better?
Linx is the stronger all-round pick: it has both the larger community and the simpler easy setup. Consider Jirafeau if its specific feature set fits your needs better.
Are Jirafeau and Linx free and open-source?
Yes. Jirafeau is licensed under AGPL-3.0-only and Linx under GPL-3.0. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run Jirafeau and Linx with Docker?
Jirafeau: check the project docs for container support. Linx: yes.
Which is lighter on resources, Jirafeau or Linx?
Jirafeau has the smaller minimum footprint at 50 MB of RAM, compared to about 64 MB for Linx. Real-world usage depends on library size, user count, and enabled features.