Magic Wormhole vs ProjectSend
A side-by-side comparison of two self-hosted file sync & storage options — licensing, setup difficulty, resource needs, and what each one replaces.
ProjectSend
Self-hosted client-oriented file sharing
| Feature | Magic Wormhole | ProjectSend |
|---|---|---|
| Deploy effort | Read-the-docs project | Under-an-hour setup |
| Health score | 96 · Excellent | 85 · Excellent |
| Category | File Sync & Storage | File Sync & Storage |
| License | MIT | GPL-2.0 |
| Language | Python | PHP |
| Setup difficulty | Easy | Easy |
| Min. RAM | 32 MB | 256 MB |
| Deployment | binary | docker, bare-metal |
| GitHub stars | ★ 22,946 | ★ 2,022 |
| First released | 2016 | 2012 |
| Replaces | WeTransfer, AirDrop | Dropbox, WeTransfer |
What are Magic Wormhole and ProjectSend?
Magic Wormhole
Magic Wormhole is a library and CLI tool for securely transferring files and directories between computers. It uses short human-pronounceable codes and PAKE encryption for safe transfers.
- PAKE-based encryption
- Human-readable transfer codes
- Self-hostable relay and mailbox
ProjectSend
ProjectSend is a self-hosted application for sharing files with clients in a private, organized way with per-client access. It targets freelancers and agencies delivering files to customers. It is deployed via a PHP stack or Docker.
- Per-client file delivery
- Group and permission management
- Email notifications
- Branding options
Magic Wormhole vs ProjectSend: key differences
Magic Wormhole is written in Python, while ProjectSend is built with PHP. Licensing differs — MIT for Magic Wormhole versus GPL-2.0 for ProjectSend. Magic Wormhole is the lighter option, starting around 32 MB of RAM against 256 MB for ProjectSend. ProjectSend is the more established project (first released 2012), while Magic Wormhole arrived in 2016. Magic Wormhole has the considerably larger community, at 22,946 GitHub stars versus 2,022. ProjectSend lists first-class Docker deployment; Magic Wormhole does not.
Why pick each one
Choose Magic Wormhole if…
- Dead-simple pairing codes
- End-to-end encrypted
- No account needed
Watch out for
- Terminal-based workflow
- Both ends online simultaneously
Choose ProjectSend if…
- Great for client deliverables
- Simple to operate
- Clear access control
Watch out for
- Not a general sync tool
- Dated interface
Frequently asked questions
Is Magic Wormhole or ProjectSend better?
Neither is universally better. Magic Wormhole has the larger community; both share a easy setup difficulty, so the decision comes down to features and licensing.
Are Magic Wormhole and ProjectSend free and open-source?
Yes. Magic Wormhole is licensed under MIT and ProjectSend under GPL-2.0. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run Magic Wormhole and ProjectSend with Docker?
Magic Wormhole: check the project docs for container support. ProjectSend: yes.
Which is lighter on resources, Magic Wormhole or ProjectSend?
Magic Wormhole has the smaller minimum footprint at 32 MB of RAM, compared to about 256 MB for ProjectSend. Real-world usage depends on library size, user count, and enabled features.