OSI-licensed only · self-hostable
WeTransfer is a proprietary file transfer service: upload a file, share a link, the recipient downloads it. Open-source alternatives let you run the same flow on your own server or send files directly between computers.
Every tool below is under an OSI-approved licence (MPL-2.0, BSD-2-Clause, AGPL-3.0, MIT, GPL-3.0), checked against its repository. Pingvin Share is excluded because its repository is archived.
Licences checked against each repository on November 7, 2026.
| Tool | Best for | Licence | Runs as |
|---|---|---|---|
| Send | Encrypted link sharing, Firefox Send style | MPL-2.0 | Docker |
| PsiTransfer | Simple self-hosted file sharing | BSD-2-Clause | Docker |
| Gokapi | Expiring shares with user roles | AGPL-3.0 | Docker |
| Magic Wormhole | Sending files between two computers securely | MIT | Desktop app |
| croc | Peer-to-peer transfers with relay fallback | MIT | Desktop app |
| PairDrop | AirDrop-style sharing in the browser | GPL-3.0 | Docker |
| Nextcloud | Full file platform with share links | AGPL-3.0 | Server |
Best for: Encrypted link sharing, Firefox Send style
A file sharing experiment for sending encrypted files to other users. A fork of Mozilla's discontinued Firefox Send, kept alive by the community.
Best for: Simple self-hosted file sharing
A simple open source, self-hosted file sharing solution, positioned as an alternative to paid transfer services like WeTransfer.
Best for: Expiring shares with user roles
A self-hosted alternative to Firefox Send with expiring shares, user roles, file requests, deduplication, optional S3 or Backblaze B2 storage, OpenID Connect and a REST API.
Best for: Sending files between two computers securely
A library and command-line tool for getting files, directories or text from one computer to another using a short human-pronounceable code.
Best for: Peer-to-peer transfers with relay fallback
Lets any two computers transfer files and folders using peer-to-peer connections with relay fallback and end-to-end encryption.
Best for: AirDrop-style sharing in the browser
A local file-sharing tool that runs in a web browser, inspired by Apple's AirDrop and forked from Snapdrop, with internet transfers via temporary public rooms.
Best for: Full file platform with share links
A self-hosted platform for storing files, contacts and calendars, syncing across devices and sharing with others, extensible through apps.
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| If you need… | Start with |
|---|---|
| Link sharing with expiry | Gokapi or Send |
| Simplest self-hosted uploader | PsiTransfer |
| Direct transfer between two machines | Magic Wormhole or croc |
| Quick transfers between nearby devices | PairDrop |
| A full file platform | Nextcloud |
Quick answers to common questions
No, it is a proprietary service.
Gokapi and Send are closest for link sharing; PsiTransfer is the simplest.
Yes. Magic Wormhole and croc transfer directly between computers.
Its repository is archived by its owner.
Send, croc and Magic Wormhole describe encryption in their READMEs. Check each project's docs for specifics.
List it on TechLogHub and we'll review it for this page.
