PicoShare vs PsiTransfer
A side-by-side comparison of two self-hosted file sync & storage options — licensing, setup difficulty, resource needs, and what each one replaces.
PicoShare
Minimalist file sharing for permanent direct links
VS
PsiTransfer
Simple open-source file sharing solution
| Feature | PicoShare | PsiTransfer |
|---|---|---|
| Deploy effort | Under-an-hour setup | Under-an-hour setup |
| Health score | 86 · Excellent | 76 · Good |
| Category | File Sync & Storage | File Sync & Storage |
| License | AGPL-3.0 | MIT |
| Language | Go | JavaScript |
| Setup difficulty | Easy | Easy |
| Min. RAM | 64 MB | 128 MB |
| Deployment | docker, binary | docker, binary |
| GitHub stars | ★ 3,039 | ★ 1,951 |
| First released | 2021 | 2017 |
| Replaces | Dropbox, WeTransfer | WeTransfer |
What are PicoShare and PsiTransfer?
PicoShare
PicoShare is a minimal file-sharing app that makes it easy to share files with simple, permanent URLs. It is designed to be a single-binary deployment with no external dependencies.
- Permanent shareable links
- SQLite-backed storage
- Single-binary deployment
PsiTransfer
PsiTransfer is a self-hosted file sharing application with a drag-and-drop web interface. It supports resumable uploads, file expiration, and password protection.
- Resumable uploads
- Password-protected buckets
- Drag-and-drop interface
PicoShare vs PsiTransfer: key differences
PicoShare is written in Go, while PsiTransfer is built with JavaScript. Licensing differs — AGPL-3.0 for PicoShare versus MIT for PsiTransfer. PicoShare is the lighter option, starting around 64 MB of RAM against 128 MB for PsiTransfer. PsiTransfer is the more established project (first released 2017), while PicoShare arrived in 2021.
Why pick each one
Choose PicoShare if…
- Released under the AGPL-3.0 license
- Easy to set up — beginner-friendly
- First-class Docker support for quick deployment
- Active community (3k GitHub stars)
Choose PsiTransfer if…
- Released under the MIT license
- Easy to set up — beginner-friendly
- First-class Docker support for quick deployment
- Active community (2k GitHub stars)
Frequently asked questions
Is PicoShare or PsiTransfer better?
Neither is universally better. PicoShare has the larger community; both share a easy setup difficulty, so the decision comes down to features and licensing.
Are PicoShare and PsiTransfer free and open-source?
Yes. PicoShare is licensed under AGPL-3.0 and PsiTransfer under MIT. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run PicoShare and PsiTransfer with Docker?
PicoShare: yes. PsiTransfer: yes.
Which is lighter on resources, PicoShare or PsiTransfer?
PicoShare has the smaller minimum footprint at 64 MB of RAM, compared to about 128 MB for PsiTransfer. Real-world usage depends on library size, user count, and enabled features.