Plik 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.
ProjectSend
Self-hosted client-oriented file sharing
| Feature | Plik | ProjectSend |
|---|---|---|
| Deploy effort | Read-the-docs project | Under-an-hour setup |
| Health score | 82 · Excellent | 85 · Excellent |
| Category | File Sync & Storage | File Sync & Storage |
| License | MIT | GPL-2.0 |
| Language | Go | PHP |
| Setup difficulty | Medium | Easy |
| Min. RAM | 50 MB | 256 MB |
| Deployment | bare-metal | docker, bare-metal |
| GitHub stars | ★ 1,821 | ★ 2,022 |
| First released | None | 2012 |
| Replaces | WeTransfer | Dropbox, WeTransfer |
What are Plik and ProjectSend?
Plik
Temporary file upload system (Wetransfer like).
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
Plik vs ProjectSend: key differences
Plik is written in Go, while ProjectSend is built with PHP. Licensing differs — MIT for Plik versus GPL-2.0 for ProjectSend. Plik is the lighter option, starting around 50 MB of RAM against 256 MB for ProjectSend. ProjectSend lists first-class Docker deployment; Plik does not.
Why pick each one
Choose Plik if…
- Released under the MIT license
- Active community (1.8k GitHub stars)
- Written in Go
- Tiny footprint — runs in 50 MB RAM
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 Plik or ProjectSend better?
ProjectSend is the stronger all-round pick: it has both the larger community and the simpler easy setup. Consider Plik if its specific feature set fits your needs better.
Are Plik and ProjectSend free and open-source?
Yes. Plik is licensed under MIT and ProjectSend under GPL-2.0. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run Plik and ProjectSend with Docker?
Plik: check the project docs for container support. ProjectSend: yes.
Which is lighter on resources, Plik or ProjectSend?
Plik has the smaller minimum footprint at 50 MB of RAM, compared to about 256 MB for ProjectSend. Real-world usage depends on library size, user count, and enabled features.