Linx vs Updog
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 | Updog |
|---|---|---|
| Deploy effort | Under-an-hour setup | Read-the-docs project |
| Health score | 18 · At risk | 54 · Fair |
| 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 | ★ 3,412 |
| First released | 2015 | 2019 |
| Replaces | WeTransfer, Imgur | WeTransfer |
What are Linx and Updog?
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
Updog
Updog is a small Python utility that improves upon SimpleHTTPServer by adding upload capability, HTTPS, and optional password protection. It is useful for quick file transfers.
- Upload support over HTTP
- Optional HTTPS and auth
- Simple drop-in replacement
Linx vs Updog: key differences
Linx is written in Go, while Updog is built with Python. Licensing differs — GPL-3.0 for Linx versus MIT for Updog. Updog is the lighter option, starting around 32 MB of RAM against 64 MB for Linx. Linx is the more established project (first released 2015), while Updog arrived in 2019. Updog has the considerably larger community, at 3,412 GitHub stars versus 1,582. Linx lists first-class Docker deployment; Updog 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 Updog if…
- Released under the MIT license
- Easy to set up — beginner-friendly
- Active community (3.4k GitHub stars)
- Written in Python
Frequently asked questions
Is Linx or Updog better?
Neither is universally better. Updog has the larger community; both share a easy setup difficulty, so the decision comes down to features and licensing.
Are Linx and Updog free and open-source?
Yes. Linx is licensed under GPL-3.0 and Updog under MIT. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run Linx and Updog with Docker?
Linx: yes. Updog: check the project docs for container support.
Which is lighter on resources, Linx or Updog?
Updog 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.