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.
Not the right match-up?
PairDrop
Local and internet file sharing inspired by Snapdrop
VS
Send
Encrypted file sharing fork of Firefox Send
| Feature | PairDrop | Send |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | ★ 11,133 | ★ 5,847 |
| First released | 2022 | 2020 |
| Replaces | AirDrop, WeTransfer | WeTransfer, Firefox Send |
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 Send if…
- Released under the MPL-2.0 license
- First-class Docker support for quick deployment
- Mature project with 5.8k 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.