Linx vs PsiTransfer
A side-by-side comparison of two self-hosted file sync & storage options — licensing, setup difficulty, resource needs, and what each one replaces.
PsiTransfer
Simple open-source file sharing solution
| Feature | Linx | PsiTransfer |
|---|---|---|
| Deploy effort | Under-an-hour setup | Under-an-hour setup |
| Health score | 18 · At risk | 76 · Good |
| Category | File Sync & Storage | File Sync & Storage |
| License | GPL-3.0 | MIT |
| Language | Go | JavaScript |
| Setup difficulty | Easy | Easy |
| Min. RAM | 64 MB | 128 MB |
| Deployment | docker, binary | docker, binary |
| GitHub stars | ★ 1,582 | ★ 1,951 |
| First released | 2015 | 2017 |
| Replaces | WeTransfer, Imgur | WeTransfer |
What are Linx and PsiTransfer?
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
PsiTransfer
PsiTransfer is a self-hosted file sharing application with a drag-and-drop web interface. It supports resumable uploads, file expiration, and password protection.
- Resumable uploads
- Password-protected buckets
- Drag-and-drop interface
Linx vs PsiTransfer: key differences
Linx is written in Go, while PsiTransfer is built with JavaScript. Licensing differs — GPL-3.0 for Linx versus MIT for PsiTransfer. Linx is the lighter option, starting around 64 MB of RAM against 128 MB for PsiTransfer. Linx is the more established project (first released 2015), while PsiTransfer arrived in 2017.
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 PsiTransfer if…
- Released under the MIT license
- Easy to set up — beginner-friendly
- First-class Docker support for quick deployment
- Active community (2k GitHub stars)
Frequently asked questions
Is Linx or PsiTransfer better?
Neither is universally better. PsiTransfer has the larger community; both share a easy setup difficulty, so the decision comes down to features and licensing.
Are Linx and PsiTransfer free and open-source?
Yes. Linx is licensed under GPL-3.0 and PsiTransfer under MIT. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run Linx and PsiTransfer with Docker?
Linx: yes. PsiTransfer: yes.
Which is lighter on resources, Linx or PsiTransfer?
Linx has the smaller minimum footprint at 64 MB of RAM, compared to about 128 MB for PsiTransfer. Real-world usage depends on library size, user count, and enabled features.