Dew and Pingvin Share X compared
Pingvin Share X is a free, open-source file sharer you run yourself. Dew is a file sharing server for teams, developed by Trinode.
What you get with Dew
Business software with support
Developed by Trinode, with regular security fixes and email support on Pro and Enterprise.
File requests to 50 people
Send one request to up to 50 people, each with their own link, or share one upload link.
Protection on every link
Password, email or SMS code, IP allow list, or a single download, all on Free.
Uploads that survive a dropped connection
Large uploads pick up where they left off, in the browser and in the desktop apps.
Desktop apps for Mac and Windows
Drop a file on the menu bar or tray icon. IT deploys the apps with Intune, Jamf Pro, or Group Policy.
An API for your systems
Send and collect files from other systems with scoped API tokens, on every plan.
Side by side
| Dew | Pingvin Share X | |
|---|---|---|
| Developed by | Trinode, a company | An open-source community project |
| Support | Email support on Pro and Enterprise | Community help on GitHub |
| Receiving files | File requests to up to 50 people, each with their own link; no account | Reverse shares; no account |
| Link protection | Password, email or SMS code, IP allow list, one-time links | Password, expiry, view limits, and named users only |
| Sign-in | Two-factor sign-in you can require; SAML on Pro | Google, Microsoft, OIDC, LDAP, and two-factor; free |
| Cloud storage | Server disk; S3-compatible on Pro | Server disk or S3 |
| Apps and API | Desktop apps for macOS and Windows; REST API with tokens | Web app; no API tokens |
| Price | Free for 5 users; Pro €4 per user per month | Free |
Prices exclude VAT and other taxes. Email codes use your email service, SMS codes your own SMS provider. Checked on 24 October 2026; see Sources.
When Pingvin Share X is the better fit
- Your team wants Google, Microsoft, OIDC, or LDAP sign-in at no cost.
- You need more than 5 users and want to stay free.
- You want the software itself to be open source.
Common questions
- Is there an alternative to Pingvin Share X?
- Yes. Dew is a self-hosted file sharing server that shares links and collects files without accounts, and adds email and SMS codes, file requests to 50 people, desktop apps, and SAML single sign-on on Pro.
- Is there a Pingvin Share X alternative with support?
- Yes. Dew is developed by Trinode, with email support on Pro and Enterprise and security fixes on every plan.
- Do clients need an account to send files to Dew?
- No. Each person on a file request gets their own link and uploads from any browser.
Self-hosted business software with support
Install Dew with one command. Free covers 5 users, with no time limit.
Sources
- Pingvin Share X repository
- Pingvin Share X example configuration
- Pingvin Share X default settings
- Pingvin Share X database schema
- Dew plans
This comparison is published by Trinode, the company that makes Dew. Product names are trademarks of their owners, and Trinode is not affiliated with these companies.
Details were checked against the linked pages on 24 October 2026. Plans and prices change. Where a provider's own pages disagree, the more cautious reading is used. To report an error, email support@getdew.io.