PairDrop vs Send
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
Send
Encrypted file sharing fork of Firefox Send
| Feature | PairDrop | Send |
|---|---|---|
| Deploy effort | ≈5-minute setup | Under-an-hour setup |
| Health score | 67 · Good | 37 · At risk |
| Category | File Sync & Storage | File Sync & Storage |
| License | GPL-3.0 | MPL-2.0 |
| Language | JavaScript | JavaScript |
| Setup difficulty | Easy | Medium |
| Min. RAM | 64 MB | 256 MB |
| Deployment | docker, bare-metal | docker |
| GitHub stars | ★ 11,459 | ★ 5,914 |
| First released | 2022 | 2020 |
| Replaces | AirDrop, WeTransfer | WeTransfer, Firefox Send |
What are PairDrop and Send?
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
Send
Send is a community-maintained fork of the discontinued Firefox Send. It provides end-to-end encrypted file sharing with links that expire after a download limit or time period.
- End-to-end encryption
- Expiring share links
- No account required
PairDrop vs Send: key differences
Both projects are written in JavaScript. Licensing differs — GPL-3.0 for PairDrop versus MPL-2.0 for Send. PairDrop is the lighter option, starting around 64 MB of RAM against 256 MB for Send. Send is the more established project (first released 2020), while PairDrop arrived in 2022.
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 Send if…
- Released under the MPL-2.0 license
- First-class Docker support for quick deployment
- Mature project with 5.9k GitHub stars
- Written in JavaScript
Frequently asked questions
Is PairDrop or Send better?
PairDrop is the stronger all-round pick: it has both the larger community and the simpler easy setup. Consider Send if its specific feature set fits your needs better.
Are PairDrop and Send free and open-source?
Yes. PairDrop is licensed under GPL-3.0 and Send under MPL-2.0. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run PairDrop and Send with Docker?
PairDrop: yes. Send: yes.
Which is lighter on resources, PairDrop or Send?
PairDrop has the smaller minimum footprint at 64 MB of RAM, compared to about 256 MB for Send. Real-world usage depends on library size, user count, and enabled features.