ProjectSend vs XBackBone
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
VS
XBackBone
Lightweight file manager with full ShareX support
| Feature | ProjectSend | XBackBone |
|---|---|---|
| Deploy effort | Under-an-hour setup | Read-the-docs project |
| Health score | 85 · Excellent | 83 · Excellent |
| Category | File Sync & Storage | File Sync & Storage |
| License | GPL-2.0 | AGPL-3.0 |
| Language | PHP | PHP |
| Setup difficulty | Easy | Easy |
| Min. RAM | 256 MB | 50 MB |
| Deployment | docker, bare-metal | bare-metal |
| GitHub stars | ★ 2,022 | ★ 1,169 |
| First released | 2012 | 2023 |
| Replaces | Dropbox, WeTransfer | WeTransfer |
What are ProjectSend and XBackBone?
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
XBackBone
Lightweight file manager with full ShareX support.
ProjectSend vs XBackBone: key differences
Both projects are written in PHP. Licensing differs — GPL-2.0 for ProjectSend versus AGPL-3.0 for XBackBone. XBackBone is the lighter option, starting around 50 MB of RAM against 256 MB for ProjectSend. ProjectSend is the more established project (first released 2012), while XBackBone arrived in 2023. ProjectSend lists first-class Docker deployment; XBackBone does not.
Why pick each one
Choose ProjectSend if…
- Great for client deliverables
- Simple to operate
- Clear access control
Watch out for
- Not a general sync tool
- Dated interface
Choose XBackBone if…
- Released under the AGPL-3.0 license
- Easy to set up — beginner-friendly
- Active community (1.2k GitHub stars)
- Written in PHP
Frequently asked questions
Is ProjectSend or XBackBone 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 ProjectSend and XBackBone free and open-source?
Yes. ProjectSend is licensed under GPL-2.0 and XBackBone under AGPL-3.0. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run ProjectSend and XBackBone with Docker?
ProjectSend: yes. XBackBone: check the project docs for container support.
Which is lighter on resources, ProjectSend or XBackBone?
XBackBone 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.