PicoShare vs Updog
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
Updog
Replacement for Python SimpleHTTPServer with uploads
| Feature | PicoShare | Updog |
|---|---|---|
| Deploy effort | Under-an-hour setup | Read-the-docs project |
| Health score | 86 · Excellent | 54 · Fair |
| Category | File Sync & Storage | File Sync & Storage |
| License | AGPL-3.0 | MIT |
| Language | Go | Python |
| Setup difficulty | Easy | Easy |
| Min. RAM | 64 MB | 32 MB |
| Deployment | docker, binary | binary |
| GitHub stars | ★ 3,039 | ★ 3,412 |
| First released | 2021 | 2019 |
| Replaces | Dropbox, WeTransfer | WeTransfer |
What are PicoShare and Updog?
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
Updog
Updog is a small Python utility that improves upon SimpleHTTPServer by adding upload capability, HTTPS, and optional password protection. It is useful for quick file transfers.
- Upload support over HTTP
- Optional HTTPS and auth
- Simple drop-in replacement
PicoShare vs Updog: key differences
PicoShare is written in Go, while Updog is built with Python. Licensing differs — AGPL-3.0 for PicoShare versus MIT for Updog. Updog is the lighter option, starting around 32 MB of RAM against 64 MB for PicoShare. Updog is the more established project (first released 2019), while PicoShare arrived in 2021. PicoShare lists first-class Docker deployment; Updog does not.
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 Updog if…
- Released under the MIT license
- Easy to set up — beginner-friendly
- Active community (3.4k GitHub stars)
- Written in Python
Frequently asked questions
Is PicoShare or Updog better?
Neither is universally better. Updog has the larger community; both share a easy setup difficulty, so the decision comes down to features and licensing.
Are PicoShare and Updog free and open-source?
Yes. PicoShare is licensed under AGPL-3.0 and Updog under MIT. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run PicoShare and Updog with Docker?
PicoShare: yes. Updog: check the project docs for container support.
Which is lighter on resources, PicoShare or Updog?
Updog has the smaller minimum footprint at 32 MB of RAM, compared to about 64 MB for PicoShare. Real-world usage depends on library size, user count, and enabled features.