Snapdrop vs Stalwart
A side-by-side comparison of two self-hosted file sync & storage options — licensing, setup difficulty, resource needs, and what each one replaces.
Not the right match-up?
Snapdrop
Local file sharing in your browser, inspired by AirDrop
VS
Stalwart
All-in-one Mail & Collaboration server
| Feature | Snapdrop | Stalwart |
|---|---|---|
| Category | File Sync & Storage | File Sync & Storage |
| License | GPL-3.0 | free |
| Language | JavaScript | Rust |
| Setup difficulty | Easy | Easy |
| Min. RAM | 64 MB | 512 MB |
| Deployment | docker, bare-metal | docker, one-click |
| GitHub stars | ★ 19,707 | ★ 14,059 |
| First released | 2017 | 2022 |
| Replaces | AirDrop | — |
Why pick each one
Choose Snapdrop if…
- Released under the GPL-3.0 license
- Easy to set up — beginner-friendly
- First-class Docker support for quick deployment
- Mature project with 19.7k GitHub stars
Choose Stalwart if…
- Easy to set up — beginner-friendly
- First-class Docker support for quick deployment
- One-click install on common self-host platforms
- Mature project with 14.1k GitHub stars
Frequently asked questions
Is Snapdrop or Stalwart better?
Neither is universally better. Snapdrop has the larger community; both share a easy setup difficulty, so the decision comes down to features and licensing.
Are Snapdrop and Stalwart free and open-source?
Yes. Snapdrop is licensed under GPL-3.0 and Stalwart under free. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run Snapdrop and Stalwart with Docker?
Snapdrop: yes. Stalwart: yes.