Pomf 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 | Pomf | ProjectSend |
|---|---|---|
| Deploy effort | Read-the-docs project | Under-an-hour setup |
| Health score | 13 · At risk | 85 · Excellent |
| Category | File Sync & Storage | File Sync & Storage |
| License | MIT | GPL-2.0 |
| Language | PHP | PHP |
| Setup difficulty | Easy | Easy |
| Min. RAM | 64 MB | 256 MB |
| Deployment | bare-metal | docker, bare-metal |
| GitHub stars | ★ 923 | ★ 2,022 |
| First released | 2015 | 2012 |
| Replaces | WeTransfer, Imgur | Dropbox, WeTransfer |
What are Pomf and ProjectSend?
Pomf
Pomf is a lightweight file uploading and sharing platform written in PHP. It powers many community file hosts and is easy to deploy on shared hosting.
- Runs on shared hosting
- Drag-and-drop uploads
- Simple API
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
Pomf vs ProjectSend: key differences
Both projects are written in PHP. Licensing differs — MIT for Pomf versus GPL-2.0 for ProjectSend. Pomf is the lighter option, starting around 64 MB of RAM against 256 MB for ProjectSend. ProjectSend is the more established project (first released 2012), while Pomf arrived in 2015. ProjectSend has the considerably larger community, at 2,022 GitHub stars versus 923. ProjectSend lists first-class Docker deployment; Pomf does not.
Why pick each one
Choose Pomf if…
- Released under the MIT license
- Easy to set up — beginner-friendly
- Written in PHP
- Tiny footprint — runs in 64 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 Pomf or ProjectSend better?
Neither is universally better. ProjectSend has the larger community; both share a easy setup difficulty, so the decision comes down to features and licensing.
Are Pomf and ProjectSend free and open-source?
Yes. Pomf is licensed under MIT and ProjectSend under GPL-2.0. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run Pomf and ProjectSend with Docker?
Pomf: check the project docs for container support. ProjectSend: yes.
Which is lighter on resources, Pomf or ProjectSend?
Pomf has the smaller minimum footprint at 64 MB of RAM, compared to about 256 MB for ProjectSend. Real-world usage depends on library size, user count, and enabled features.