Linx vs Pomf
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 | Pomf |
|---|---|---|
| Deploy effort | Under-an-hour setup | Read-the-docs project |
| Health score | 18 · At risk | 13 · At risk |
| Category | File Sync & Storage | File Sync & Storage |
| License | GPL-3.0 | MIT |
| Language | Go | PHP |
| Setup difficulty | Easy | Easy |
| Min. RAM | 64 MB | 64 MB |
| Deployment | docker, binary | bare-metal |
| GitHub stars | ★ 1,582 | ★ 923 |
| First released | 2015 | 2015 |
| Replaces | WeTransfer, Imgur | WeTransfer, Imgur |
What are Linx and Pomf?
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
Pomf
Pomf is a lightweight file uploading and sharing platform written in PHP. It powers many community file hosts and is easy to deploy on shared hosting.
- Runs on shared hosting
- Drag-and-drop uploads
- Simple API
Linx vs Pomf: key differences
Linx is written in Go, while Pomf is built with PHP. Licensing differs — GPL-3.0 for Linx versus MIT for Pomf. Linx lists first-class Docker deployment; Pomf 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 Pomf if…
- Released under the MIT license
- Easy to set up — beginner-friendly
- Written in PHP
- Tiny footprint — runs in 64 MB RAM
Frequently asked questions
Is Linx or Pomf better?
Neither is universally better. Linx has the larger community; both share a easy setup difficulty, so the decision comes down to features and licensing.
Are Linx and Pomf free and open-source?
Yes. Linx is licensed under GPL-3.0 and Pomf under MIT. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run Linx and Pomf with Docker?
Linx: yes. Pomf: check the project docs for container support.