OnionShare
Securely and anonymously share a file of any size.
OnionShare vs Zipline
Two self-hosted File Transfer - Single-click & Drag-n-drop Upload apps, compared on the facts we track: GitHub popularity and activity, license, language, Docker images and a rough hosting estimate.
Side by side
| OnionShare | Zipline | |
|---|---|---|
| Description | Securely and anonymously share a file of any size. | Lightweight, fast and reliable file sharing server that is commonly used with ShareX, offering a react-based Web UI and fast API. |
| GitHub stars | 7,214 | 3,486 |
| Forks | – | – |
| Open issues | – | – |
| Commits (12 months) | 323 | 340 |
| Last activity | 2026-11-03 | 2026-11-03 |
| Latest release | v2.7.1 (2026-10-29) | v4.8.2 (2026-10-25) |
| Maintenance health | Active | Active |
| License | GPL-3.0 | MIT |
| Language / platform | Python, deb | Docker, Nodejs |
| Docker Hub image | – | – |
| Docker pulls | – | – |
| Est. server size | ~1 GB, 1 vCPU | ~1 GB, 1 vCPU |
| Est. hosting from | $5/mo | $5/mo |
| Categories | File Transfer - Single-click & Drag-n-drop Upload | File Transfer - Single-click & Drag-n-drop Upload |
| Links | Website · Source | Website · Source |
What the numbers say
- OnionShare is more popular on GitHub: 7.2k stars vs 3.5k for Zipline.
- OnionShare published a release more recently (v2.7.1 on 2026-10-29; Zipline's latest is v4.8.2 on 2026-10-25).
- OnionShare is licensed under GPL-3.0, Zipline under MIT. Zipline's license is permissive; OnionShare's is copyleft (changes you distribute must stay open).
- OnionShare is written in Python; Zipline in Nodejs.
- Deployment options listed upstream: OnionShare: deb; Zipline: Docker.
Summary: OnionShare leads on GitHub popularity. The right choice depends on the features you need — read both project descriptions and docs.
This summary is generated from GitHub, Docker Hub and awesome-selfhosted data as of 2026-11-05. It does not rate features or quality.
Frequently asked questions
Is OnionShare or Zipline more popular?
OnionShare has more GitHub stars (7,214 vs 3,486 for Zipline, as of 2026-11-05). Stars measure interest, not quality.
Which is more actively maintained, OnionShare or Zipline?
Commits in the last 12 months: OnionShare 323, Zipline 340. Both had repository activity on 2026-11-03. Our health labels: OnionShare is “Active”, Zipline is “Active”.
What licenses do OnionShare and Zipline use?
OnionShare: GPL-3.0. Zipline: MIT. Zipline's license is permissive; OnionShare's is copyleft (changes you distribute must stay open).
Can I run OnionShare and Zipline with Docker?
We did not detect a Docker Hub image for either app. The upstream listing mentions Docker as a deployment option for Zipline. Check each project's documentation for install options.
Read more
Zipline
Lightweight, fast and reliable file sharing server that is commonly used with ShareX, offering a react-based Web UI and fast API.
Browse all self-hosted File Transfer - Single-click & Drag-n-drop Upload apps.