Kleeja 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 | Kleeja | ProjectSend |
|---|---|---|
| Deploy effort | Read-the-docs project | Under-an-hour setup |
| Health score | 75 · Good | 85 · Excellent |
| Category | File Sync & Storage | File Sync & Storage |
| License | GPL-3.0 | GPL-2.0 |
| Language | PHP | PHP |
| Setup difficulty | Easy | Easy |
| Min. RAM | 128 MB | 256 MB |
| Deployment | bare-metal | docker, bare-metal |
| GitHub stars | ★ 193 | ★ 2,022 |
| First released | 2006 | 2012 |
| Replaces | WeTransfer | Dropbox, WeTransfer |
What are Kleeja and ProjectSend?
Kleeja
Kleeja is a long-running PHP application for uploading and sharing files and images. It supports multiple languages, themes, and a plugin system for extension.
- Plugin and theme system
- Multilingual interface
- Long-standing project
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
Kleeja vs ProjectSend: key differences
Both projects are written in PHP. Licensing differs — GPL-3.0 for Kleeja versus GPL-2.0 for ProjectSend. Kleeja is the lighter option, starting around 128 MB of RAM against 256 MB for ProjectSend. Kleeja is the more established project (first released 2006), while ProjectSend arrived in 2012. ProjectSend has the considerably larger community, at 2,022 GitHub stars versus 193. ProjectSend lists first-class Docker deployment; Kleeja does not.
Why pick each one
Choose Kleeja if…
- Released under the GPL-3.0 license
- Easy to set up — beginner-friendly
- Written in PHP
- Tiny footprint — runs in 128 MB RAM
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 Kleeja 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 Kleeja and ProjectSend free and open-source?
Yes. Kleeja is licensed under GPL-3.0 and ProjectSend under GPL-2.0. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run Kleeja and ProjectSend with Docker?
Kleeja: check the project docs for container support. ProjectSend: yes.
Which is lighter on resources, Kleeja or ProjectSend?
Kleeja 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.