ProjectSend

ProjectSend is a professional file sharing solution designed specifically for businesses, agencies, and freelancers who need to deliver files securely to clients. Unlike generic file hosting services, ProjectSend provides client-focused features including individual client accounts, organized file categories, download tracking and notifications, expiration dates, and granular permission controls. Built with PHP and requiring a MySQL/MariaDB database, ProjectSend creates a branded file delivery portal where administrators upload files and assign them to specific clients who then log in to access only their designated content. The platform tracks all downloads, sends automatic email notifications when new files are available, supports file descriptions and categorization, and maintains detailed activity logs for accountability. With a clean, professional interface and extensive customization options, ProjectSend has become the standard solution for creative agencies delivering assets to clients, accounting firms sharing financial documents, legal practices distributing case files, and any organization requiring secure, trackable file delivery beyond simple email attachments or public links.

Common Use Cases

Creative agencies and design studios use ProjectSend to deliver client projects including final assets, mockups, and revisions, organizing files by project phase, tracking which team members downloaded which versions, and maintaining a complete archive of all deliverables sent to each client over the course of long-term relationships. Accounting and financial services firms deploy ProjectSend to share sensitive financial documents, tax returns, and reports with clients, leveraging the access controls to ensure each client sees only their own confidential information, with download tracking providing proof of delivery for compliance purposes. Legal practices utilize ProjectSend for distributing case documents, contracts, and discovery materials to clients and co-counsel, with the ability to set expiration dates on sensitive materials and receive notifications when recipients access important filings. Marketing and media companies employ ProjectSend to deliver large media files, video content, and campaign assets that exceed email attachment limits, organizing materials by campaign or client and providing clients with a clean branded portal rather than impersonal file sharing links.

Key Features

• Individual client accounts with unique logins
• File organization by clients and categories
• Download tracking and activity logs
• Email notifications for new uploads
• File expiration dates and access controls
• Public and private file sharing options
• Customizable branding and themes
• Multi-user administration with roles
• File descriptions and metadata
• Bulk file uploads and management
• Client groups for organizational structure
• Activity dashboard and reporting
• Secure password-protected access
• File versioning and replacement

Resource Requirements and Startup Time

ProjectSend is lightweight, requiring 256-512 MB RAM for typical usage with the MariaDB database consuming an additional 256-512 MB, making the total deployment suitable for small to medium VPS configurations. Resource usage scales with the number of concurrent users and file upload/download activity, but typical small business usage remains well under 1 GB total memory. Initial startup takes 15-20 seconds as both containers initialize and establish the database connection. First-time setup requires completing the web-based installation wizard where you configure the database connection (host: mariadb, database: projectsend, user: projectsend, password from deployment variables), create your admin account, and configure basic settings like site name and email preferences. The data volume stores all uploaded files, so storage requirements depend on your file sharing needs—provisioning adequate space based on expected usage is important since ProjectSend maintains all files indefinitely unless manually deleted. The application includes configuration options for maximum upload sizes in the PHP settings, with defaults typically around 100-500 MB per file depending on PHP configuration.

Security Considerations

This ProjectSend deployment exposes the file sharing portal on a random port with authentication required for all access. During initial setup, you'll create an admin account through the installation wizard—choose a strong password as this account has full access to all files and client data. Each client account should also use unique credentials, and ProjectSend supports email-based password resets for user convenience. The MariaDB database uses auto-generated passwords stored in environment variables for both the root account and the projectsend application user. For production use, place ProjectSend behind a reverse proxy with SSL certificates since file uploads and client credentials are transmitted during usage, and confidential documents may be exchanged. Restrict VPS firewall rules to trusted networks when possible, regularly update both containers to receive security patches, and configure appropriate file upload size limits to prevent abuse. The data volume contains all client files including potentially sensitive documents—ensure proper backup procedures and access controls at the system level. ProjectSend logs all user activity including downloads, providing audit trails for compliance and security monitoring. Consider setting file expiration dates on sensitive materials to automatically limit access after specific time periods.

Why deploy ProjectSend on Hostinger VPS

Deploying ProjectSend on Hostinger VPS provides a professional, branded file delivery system under your complete control, eliminating monthly per-user fees from commercial file sharing services while offering superior client-focused features. The persistent VPS storage ensures all your file delivery history, client accounts, and uploaded documents remain accessible indefinitely, creating a permanent archive of all deliverables sent to clients over years of business relationships. With dedicated VPS resources, you control upload size limits, storage capacity, and concurrent user access without artificial restrictions imposed by SaaS platforms. The always-on availability means clients can access their files 24/7 from anywhere, while you maintain complete privacy since all data resides on your infrastructure rather than third-party servers—critical for agencies handling confidential client materials or businesses subject to data residency requirements. Hosting ProjectSend on VPS enables custom branding, theme customization, and integration with your existing infrastructure like SMTP servers for notifications or authentication systems for single sign-on. For growing agencies, the VPS approach scales economically compared to per-client pricing models from commercial alternatives, and you retain ownership of your client relationship data and download analytics. The deployment creates a permanent asset for your business—a professional file delivery portal that enhances your brand and client service while remaining under your control regardless of changes in commercial file sharing market pricing or terms of service.