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.
Not the right match-up?
Linx
Self-hosted file and code paste sharing server
VS
Magic Wormhole
Get things from one computer to another, safely
| Feature | Linx | Magic Wormhole |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | ★ 1,581 | ★ 22,792 |
| First released | 2015 | 2016 |
| Replaces | WeTransfer, Imgur | WeTransfer, AirDrop |
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…
- Released under the MIT license
- Easy to set up — beginner-friendly
- Mature project with 22.8k GitHub stars
- Written in Python
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.