Linx vs Magic Wormhole
A side-by-side comparison of two self-hosted file sync & storage options — licensing, setup difficulty, resource needs, and what each one replaces.
| Feature | Linx | Magic Wormhole |
|---|---|---|
| Deploy effort | Under-an-hour setup | Read-the-docs project |
| Health score | 18 · At risk | 96 · Excellent |
| Category | File Sync & Storage | File Sync & Storage |
| License | GPL-3.0 | MIT |
| Language | Go | Python |
| Setup difficulty | Easy | Easy |
| Min. RAM | 64 MB | 32 MB |
| Deployment | docker, binary | binary |
| GitHub stars | ★ 1,582 | ★ 22,946 |
| First released | 2015 | 2016 |
| Replaces | WeTransfer, Imgur | WeTransfer, AirDrop |
What are Linx and Magic Wormhole?
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
Magic Wormhole
Magic Wormhole is a library and CLI tool for securely transferring files and directories between computers. It uses short human-pronounceable codes and PAKE encryption for safe transfers.
- PAKE-based encryption
- Human-readable transfer codes
- Self-hostable relay and mailbox
Linx vs Magic Wormhole: key differences
Linx is written in Go, while Magic Wormhole is built with Python. Licensing differs — GPL-3.0 for Linx versus MIT for Magic Wormhole. Magic Wormhole is the lighter option, starting around 32 MB of RAM against 64 MB for Linx. Magic Wormhole has the considerably larger community, at 22,946 GitHub stars versus 1,582. Linx lists first-class Docker deployment; Magic Wormhole does not.
Why pick each one
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)
Choose Magic Wormhole if…
- Dead-simple pairing codes
- End-to-end encrypted
- No account needed
Watch out for
- Terminal-based workflow
- Both ends online simultaneously
Frequently asked questions
Is Linx or Magic Wormhole better?
Neither is universally better. Magic Wormhole has the larger community; both share a easy setup difficulty, so the decision comes down to features and licensing.
Are Linx and Magic Wormhole free and open-source?
Yes. Linx is licensed under GPL-3.0 and Magic Wormhole under MIT. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run Linx and Magic Wormhole with Docker?
Linx: yes. Magic Wormhole: check the project docs for container support.
Which is lighter on resources, Linx or Magic Wormhole?
Magic Wormhole has the smaller minimum footprint at 32 MB of RAM, compared to about 64 MB for Linx. Real-world usage depends on library size, user count, and enabled features.