PairDrop 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.
Not the right match-up?
PairDrop
Local and internet file sharing inspired by Snapdrop
VS
ProjectSend
Self-hosted client-oriented file sharing
| Feature | PairDrop | ProjectSend |
|---|---|---|
| Category | File Sync & Storage | File Sync & Storage |
| License | GPL-3.0 | GPL-2.0 |
| Language | JavaScript | PHP |
| Setup difficulty | Easy | Easy |
| Min. RAM | 64 MB | 256 MB |
| Deployment | docker, bare-metal | docker, bare-metal |
| GitHub stars | ★ 11,133 | ★ 1,958 |
| First released | 2022 | 2012 |
| Replaces | AirDrop, WeTransfer | Dropbox, WeTransfer |
Why pick each one
Choose PairDrop if…
- Released under the GPL-3.0 license
- Easy to set up — beginner-friendly
- First-class Docker support for quick deployment
- Mature project with 11.1k GitHub stars
Choose ProjectSend if…
- Great for client deliverables
- Simple to operate
- Clear access control
Frequently asked questions
Is PairDrop or ProjectSend better?
Neither is universally better. PairDrop has the larger community; both share a easy setup difficulty, so the decision comes down to features and licensing.
Are PairDrop and ProjectSend free and open-source?
Yes. PairDrop is licensed under GPL-3.0 and ProjectSend under GPL-2.0. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run PairDrop and ProjectSend with Docker?
PairDrop: yes. ProjectSend: yes.