psitransfer vs filekey
Self-hosted file sharing compared with local encrypted exchange
psitransfer is a self-hosted service for uploading and sharing files through temporary buckets, while filekey encrypts files locally and lets users send them directly to recipients. The main difference is that psitransfer manages file hosting on your server, whereas filekey focuses on passkey-based encryption without a server handling the files.
psitransfer: Share Files from a Self-Hosted Server
PsiTransfer is a self-hosted web app for sharing files without user accounts. It supports large uploads, resumable transfers, expiring buckets and one-time downloads, making it useful when you want control over where shared files are stored.
filekey: Encrypt and Share Files with Passkeys
FileKey is an offline web app built on the WebAuthn PRF extension that encrypts files with passkeys on your device. It is designed for people who want private file storage or end-to-end sharing without accounts, tracking, or cloud uploads.
| psitransfer | filekey | |
|---|---|---|
| Language | JavaScript | TypeScript |
| License | BSD-2-Clause | GPL-3.0 |
| Stars | 2k | 484 |
| Forks | 246 | 36 |
| Last analyzed | Oct 7, 2026 | Oct 18, 2026 |
Key differences
- psitransfer supports resumable uploads and downloads, expiring buckets, and one-time downloads; filekey encrypts and decrypts locally and supports sharing to a recipient's public Share Key.
- psitransfer stores uploaded files on an operator-controlled server; filekey users transfer the resulting encrypted files themselves through any channel.
- psitransfer is written in JavaScript and licensed under BSD-2-Clause; filekey is written in TypeScript and licensed under GPL-3.0.
- psitransfer requires a server deployment, with Docker or manual installation described; filekey runs as a browser app, works offline after PWA installation, and can be self-hosted as static files.
- psitransfer does not provide end-to-end payload encryption; filekey uses passkey-derived keys and AES-256-GCM, with compatibility depending on WebAuthn PRF support.
- The supplied metadata lists 2k stars and 246 forks for psitransfer, and 482 stars and 37 forks for filekey.
Choose psitransfer if you…
- need self-hosted file sharing with control over where uploaded data is hosted
- want resumable transfers, expiring upload buckets, or one-time downloads
- need recipients to access shared files without creating accounts
Choose filekey if you…
- need to encrypt files locally and share them with a specific recipient
- want to exchange files without a server handling them or requiring cloud storage
- need offline use or a recovery option, and have a compatible passkey provider and browser
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This comparison is generated with AI from the OSRepos analyses of both projects. Always check each project's repository and documentation before choosing.