Linx vs XBackBone
A side-by-side comparison of two self-hosted file sync & storage options — licensing, setup difficulty, resource needs, and what each one replaces.
XBackBone
Lightweight file manager with full ShareX support
| Feature | Linx | XBackBone |
|---|---|---|
| Deploy effort | Under-an-hour setup | Read-the-docs project |
| Health score | 18 · At risk | 83 · Excellent |
| Category | File Sync & Storage | File Sync & Storage |
| License | GPL-3.0 | AGPL-3.0 |
| Language | Go | PHP |
| Setup difficulty | Easy | Easy |
| Min. RAM | 64 MB | 50 MB |
| Deployment | docker, binary | bare-metal |
| GitHub stars | ★ 1,582 | ★ 1,169 |
| First released | 2015 | 2023 |
| Replaces | WeTransfer, Imgur | WeTransfer |
What are Linx and XBackBone?
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
XBackBone
Lightweight file manager with full ShareX support.
Linx vs XBackBone: key differences
Linx is written in Go, while XBackBone is built with PHP. Licensing differs — GPL-3.0 for Linx versus AGPL-3.0 for XBackBone. XBackBone is the lighter option, starting around 50 MB of RAM against 64 MB for Linx. Linx is the more established project (first released 2015), while XBackBone arrived in 2023. Linx lists first-class Docker deployment; XBackBone 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 XBackBone if…
- Released under the AGPL-3.0 license
- Easy to set up — beginner-friendly
- Active community (1.2k GitHub stars)
- Written in PHP
Frequently asked questions
Is Linx or XBackBone 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 XBackBone free and open-source?
Yes. Linx is licensed under GPL-3.0 and XBackBone under AGPL-3.0. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run Linx and XBackBone with Docker?
Linx: yes. XBackBone: check the project docs for container support.
Which is lighter on resources, Linx or XBackBone?
XBackBone 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.