Linx vs Plik
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 | Plik |
|---|---|---|
| Deploy effort | Under-an-hour setup | Read-the-docs project |
| Health score | 18 · At risk | 82 · Excellent |
| Category | File Sync & Storage | File Sync & Storage |
| License | GPL-3.0 | MIT |
| Language | Go | Go |
| Setup difficulty | Easy | Medium |
| Min. RAM | 64 MB | 50 MB |
| Deployment | docker, binary | bare-metal |
| GitHub stars | ★ 1,582 | ★ 1,821 |
| First released | 2015 | None |
| Replaces | WeTransfer, Imgur | WeTransfer |
What are Linx and Plik?
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
Plik
Temporary file upload system (Wetransfer like).
Linx vs Plik: key differences
Both projects are written in Go. Licensing differs — GPL-3.0 for Linx versus MIT for Plik. Plik is the lighter option, starting around 50 MB of RAM against 64 MB for Linx. Linx lists first-class Docker deployment; Plik 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 Plik if…
- Released under the MIT license
- Active community (1.8k GitHub stars)
- Written in Go
- Tiny footprint — runs in 50 MB RAM
Frequently asked questions
Is Linx or Plik better?
Neither is universally better. Plik has the larger community, while Linx is simpler to set up (easy difficulty). Choose based on the comparison table above and your own setup.
Are Linx and Plik free and open-source?
Yes. Linx is licensed under GPL-3.0 and Plik under MIT. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run Linx and Plik with Docker?
Linx: yes. Plik: check the project docs for container support.
Which is lighter on resources, Linx or Plik?
Plik 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.