honest comparison
Pako vs Perforce.
Perforce Helix Core is the incumbent for game and film studios, and it earns it: rock-solid locking and decades of large-file tuning. The cost is the cost — per-seat pricing, a server to run, and a workflow that artists tolerate rather than enjoy. Pako keeps the parts that matter and drops the bill and the ops.
| Capability | Pako | Perforce (Helix Core) |
|---|---|---|
| Exclusive file locking | Yes, native | Yes, native |
| Large binary files | Built for terabytes | Strong |
| Pricing model | Seats + storage, bandwidth free | Per-seat, negotiated |
| Egress / bandwidth | Always free | Your infrastructure & bill |
| Hosting & ops | Fully hosted SaaS | Self-run server (or paid cloud) |
| Artist-friendly UI | Web-first, preview-led | Functional, dated |
| Code workflow | Branch / merge, Git-grade | Streams (its own model) |
| Lock-in | Export your data anytime | Proprietary depot format |
the verdict
If you want Perforce-style locking and scale but you're tired of paying per seat, running the server, and watching bandwidth costs, Pako is the modern path — hosted, flat on bandwidth, and pleasant for the artists who do most of the committing.
when to stay on Perforce
Stay on Perforce if you have a deep investment in Streams, Helix Swarm and bespoke server tooling, or strict requirements that mandate fully on-prem control today. Pako is a hosted SaaS — self-hosting is not the pitch.
Try it on your heaviest repo.
Start free in minutes. If Pako isn't faster and cheaper for your assets, keep what you have.