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.
PairDrop
Local and internet file sharing inspired by Snapdrop
VS
ProjectSend
Self-hosted client-oriented file sharing
| Feature | PairDrop | ProjectSend |
|---|---|---|
| Deploy effort | ≈5-minute setup | Under-an-hour setup |
| Health score | 67 · Good | 85 · Excellent |
| 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 | ★ 11,459 | ★ 2,022 |
| First released | 2022 | 2012 |
| Replaces | AirDrop, WeTransfer | Dropbox, WeTransfer |
What are PairDrop and ProjectSend?
PairDrop
PairDrop is an enhanced fork of Snapdrop that adds device pairing across networks and the internet. It enables easy, encrypted peer-to-peer file transfer between paired devices.
- Cross-network device pairing
- Paste and share text
- WebRTC encrypted transfer
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
PairDrop vs ProjectSend: key differences
PairDrop is written in JavaScript, while ProjectSend is built with PHP. Licensing differs — GPL-3.0 for PairDrop versus GPL-2.0 for ProjectSend. PairDrop is the lighter option, starting around 64 MB of RAM against 256 MB for ProjectSend. ProjectSend is the more established project (first released 2012), while PairDrop arrived in 2022. PairDrop has the considerably larger community, at 11,459 GitHub stars versus 2,022.
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 11.5k GitHub stars
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 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.
Which is lighter on resources, PairDrop or ProjectSend?
PairDrop has the smaller minimum footprint at 64 MB of RAM, compared to about 256 MB for ProjectSend. Real-world usage depends on library size, user count, and enabled features.