Magic Wormhole 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 | Magic Wormhole | PsiTransfer |
|---|---|---|
| Deploy effort | Read-the-docs project | Under-an-hour setup |
| Health score | 96 · Excellent | 76 · Good |
| Category | File Sync & Storage | File Sync & Storage |
| License | MIT | MIT |
| Language | Python | JavaScript |
| Setup difficulty | Easy | Easy |
| Min. RAM | 32 MB | 128 MB |
| Deployment | binary | docker, binary |
| GitHub stars | ★ 22,946 | ★ 1,951 |
| First released | 2016 | 2017 |
| Replaces | WeTransfer, AirDrop | WeTransfer |
What are Magic Wormhole and PsiTransfer?
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
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
Magic Wormhole vs PsiTransfer: key differences
Magic Wormhole is written in Python, while PsiTransfer is built with JavaScript. Magic Wormhole is the lighter option, starting around 32 MB of RAM against 128 MB for PsiTransfer. Magic Wormhole has the considerably larger community, at 22,946 GitHub stars versus 1,951. PsiTransfer 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 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 Magic Wormhole or PsiTransfer 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 PsiTransfer free and open-source?
Yes. Magic Wormhole is licensed under MIT and PsiTransfer under MIT. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run Magic Wormhole and PsiTransfer with Docker?
Magic Wormhole: check the project docs for container support. PsiTransfer: yes.
Which is lighter on resources, Magic Wormhole or PsiTransfer?
Magic Wormhole has the smaller minimum footprint at 32 MB of RAM, compared to about 128 MB for PsiTransfer. Real-world usage depends on library size, user count, and enabled features.