Plik 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.
| Feature | Plik | Updog |
|---|---|---|
| Deploy effort | Read-the-docs project | Read-the-docs project |
| Health score | 82 · Excellent | 54 · Fair |
| Category | File Sync & Storage | File Sync & Storage |
| License | MIT | MIT |
| Language | Go | Python |
| Setup difficulty | Medium | Easy |
| Min. RAM | 50 MB | 32 MB |
| Deployment | bare-metal | binary |
| GitHub stars | ★ 1,821 | ★ 3,412 |
| First released | None | 2019 |
| Replaces | WeTransfer | WeTransfer |
What are Plik and Updog?
Plik
Temporary file upload system (Wetransfer like).
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
Plik vs Updog: key differences
Plik is written in Go, while Updog is built with Python. Updog is the lighter option, starting around 32 MB of RAM against 50 MB for Plik.
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 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 Plik or Updog better?
Updog 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 Updog free and open-source?
Yes. Plik is licensed under MIT and Updog under MIT. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run Plik and Updog with Docker?
Plik: check the project docs for container support. Updog: check the project docs for container support.
Which is lighter on resources, Plik or Updog?
Updog has the smaller minimum footprint at 32 MB of RAM, compared to about 50 MB for Plik. Real-world usage depends on library size, user count, and enabled features.