Explore ProjectSend, the free open-source self-hosted file sharing tool: features, setup, pricing, pros and cons, and how it compares to paid alternatives.
Free and open source under the GNU GPL v2 license. There are no license fees; the only cost is the hosting infrastructure a user chooses to run it on., from Free (self-hosted); users only pay for their own server or hosting, which can start at just a few dollars per month
Verified
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Last updated
July 19, 2026
Founded
2012
Headquarters
No corporate headquarters (open-source project); originally created by developer Emmanuel B. Muriaga
Web AppOpen SourceSelf-Hosted
Overview
ProjectSend is a free, open-source PHP application that businesses install on their own server to share and receive files with clients securely. It dates back to 2012 and was originally created by developer Emmanuel B. Muriaga, and it is released under the GNU GPL v2 license, meaning anyone can use, inspect, and modify the code at no cost.
Unlike consumer cloud storage tools, ProjectSend is purpose-built around client relationships: administrators create client accounts or groups and control exactly which files each client can see, download, or upload, all from infrastructure the organization fully controls.
Key Features
Core capabilities include client and client-group management, role-based permissions for internal staff, two-way file exchange (clients can be allowed to upload as well as download), detailed activity logging, download tracking, and automatic upload expiration.
The platform also supports S3-compatible object storage as a backend, custom branding and themes so the portal can match a company's own look and feel, mobile-optimized browsing, and an interface translated into more than 70 languages through community contributions.
Pricing
ProjectSend itself carries no license or subscription fee; it is entirely free and open source under GPL v2. There is no tiered pricing, feature gating, or user-count limit built into the software itself.
The only real cost is hosting: since ProjectSend is self-hosted, an organization needs a server or VPS capable of running PHP and a MySQL/MariaDB database, with basic hosting for small deployments available from various providers for just a few dollars per month.
Key Features
Client and client-group accounts — Create individual client logins or group clients together to control exactly who can see which shared files.
Two-way file exchange — Allow clients not just to download files but also to upload files back into a folder assigned specifically to them.
Role-based staff permissions — Assign different access levels to internal team members so not everyone has full administrative control.
Activity logging and download tracking — Every upload, download, and administrative action is logged, giving a full audit trail of file activity.
Automatic upload expiration — Set files to automatically expire after a defined period, useful for time-sensitive document sharing.
S3-compatible storage support — Store files on S3-compatible object storage instead of, or alongside, local server storage.
Custom branding and themes — White-label the client portal with your own logo and color scheme so it feels like part of your own product.
70-plus language translations — The interface is available in more than 70 languages thanks to community-contributed translations.
Pros & Cons
Pros
Completely free and open source with no per-user or per-feature license costs
Full control over data since files are stored on infrastructure the organization owns
Purpose-built two-way client file exchange rather than generic team file storage
Extensive language support makes it usable well beyond English-speaking markets
Cons
Requires self-hosting, so the organization is responsible for server setup, security patching, and backups
No official managed cloud version, unlike SaaS competitors that handle infrastructure for you
Interface and feature set are more utilitarian than modern SaaS client-portal products
Support relies on community documentation and forums rather than a dedicated commercial support team
Yes, ProjectSend is completely free and open source under the GNU GPL v2 license, with no license fees. The only cost is the hosting infrastructure you run it on.
Do I need technical skills to install ProjectSend
Yes, some technical knowledge is helpful since ProjectSend is self-hosted and typically requires a server running PHP and a MySQL or MariaDB database, though many hosting providers offer one-click installers.
Can clients upload files, not just download them
Yes, ProjectSend supports two-way file exchange, so administrators can allow specific clients to upload files into a folder assigned only to them.
How many languages does ProjectSend support
ProjectSend's interface is available in more than 70 languages through community-contributed translations distributed via Transifex.
Who created ProjectSend
ProjectSend was originally created by developer Emmanuel B. Muriaga, with the project dating back to 2012 and continuing today as an open-source community project.
Does ProjectSend support cloud storage backends
Yes, in addition to local server storage, ProjectSend supports S3-compatible object storage.
Is ProjectSend a good alternative to Dropbox or Google Drive for client file sharing
For businesses that want a self-hosted, client-focused portal with full data control and no per-user fees, ProjectSend is a common open-source alternative, though it lacks the polish and real-time collaboration features of consumer cloud storage tools.
Can I customize ProjectSend's branding
Yes, ProjectSend supports custom branding and themes so the client portal can be presented under your own company's look and feel.