Magic Wormhole vs Snapdrop
A side-by-side comparison of two self-hosted file sync & storage options — licensing, setup difficulty, resource needs, and what each one replaces.
Snapdrop
Local file sharing in your browser, inspired by AirDrop
| Feature | Magic Wormhole | Snapdrop |
|---|---|---|
| Deploy effort | Read-the-docs project | Under-an-hour setup |
| Health score | 96 · Excellent | 33 · At risk |
| Category | File Sync & Storage | File Sync & Storage |
| License | MIT | GPL-3.0 |
| Language | Python | JavaScript |
| Setup difficulty | Easy | Easy |
| Min. RAM | 32 MB | 64 MB |
| Deployment | binary | docker, bare-metal |
| GitHub stars | ★ 22,946 | ★ 19,734 |
| First released | 2016 | 2017 |
| Replaces | WeTransfer, AirDrop | AirDrop |
What are Magic Wormhole and Snapdrop?
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
Snapdrop
Snapdrop is a progressive web app for sharing files between devices on the same local network. It uses WebRTC for direct device-to-device transfer with no installation required.
- AirDrop-style local sharing
- Progressive web app
- No setup on client devices
Magic Wormhole vs Snapdrop: key differences
Magic Wormhole is written in Python, while Snapdrop is built with JavaScript. Licensing differs — MIT for Magic Wormhole versus GPL-3.0 for Snapdrop. Magic Wormhole is the lighter option, starting around 32 MB of RAM against 64 MB for Snapdrop. Snapdrop 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 Snapdrop if…
- No installation needed
- Direct WebRTC transfers
- Dead simple to use
Watch out for
- Same network only
- Development largely inactive
Frequently asked questions
Is Magic Wormhole or Snapdrop 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 Snapdrop free and open-source?
Yes. Magic Wormhole is licensed under MIT and Snapdrop under GPL-3.0. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run Magic Wormhole and Snapdrop with Docker?
Magic Wormhole: check the project docs for container support. Snapdrop: yes.
Which is lighter on resources, Magic Wormhole or Snapdrop?
Magic Wormhole has the smaller minimum footprint at 32 MB of RAM, compared to about 64 MB for Snapdrop. Real-world usage depends on library size, user count, and enabled features.