Alternatives to LocalSend
Open source AirDrop for every platform
LocalSend ranks #3 of 8 in File transfer tools, with an Alt Score of 64. It is licensed under Apache-2.0, free from Free and available on Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS and Android. 6 of 10 checklist rows are verified against a public source.
Anyone who needs to move files between their own or others' computers and phones (Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS) and wants a fast, private way to do it without cloud accounts or internet access.
An open-source, cross-platform app that transfers files directly between devices over a local WiFi network, using end-to-end encryption and no internet connection required. There's no account to create, no ads or trackers, and no bandwidth limits since transfers run at local network speed. It supports any file type and works across desktop and mobile platforms interchangeably.
Install LocalSend on the sending and receiving devices, select the file(s) to share, then pick the nearby device from the discovered list to send; the transfer completes over the shared WiFi network and files land in the recipient's Downloads folder by default.
Why people leave LocalSend
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Ranked alternatives
Ordered by Alt Score. Click any score to see the breakdown.
Feature comparison
How LocalSend compares with its alternatives, feature by feature.
| File transfer tools checklist | LocalSend | croc | Send Anywhere | PairDrop | Wormhole | Warpinator |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | ||||||
| Starts at | ||||||
| License | ||||||
| Platforms | ||||||
| Max file size (free) | ||||||
| E2E encryption | ||||||
| No account needed | ||||||
| Local network (P2P) | ||||||
| Expiry controls | ||||||
| Password protection | ||||||
| Open source | ||||||
| Self-hostable | ||||||
| Resume interrupted transfers | ||||||
| CLI |
Every fact and feature listed for LocalSend is verified against its own pages. Each alternative is sourced on its own page.
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Starts at Free verified 2026-07-10
LocalSend is a free, open-source app
https://raw.githubusercontent.com/localsend/localsend/main/README.md -
License Apache-2.0 verified 2026-07-10
Apache License Version 2.0, January 2004
https://raw.githubusercontent.com/localsend/localsend/main/LICENSE -
Pricing model Free verified 2026-07-10
LocalSend is a free, open-source app that allows you to securely share files and messages with nearby devices over your local network without needing an internet connection.
https://raw.githubusercontent.com/localsend/localsend/main/README.md -
Platforms Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android verified 2026-07-10
| Android | 5.0 | -| | iOS | 12.0 | -| | macOS | 11 Big Sur | | Windows | 10 | | Linux | N.A. |
https://raw.githubusercontent.com/localsend/localsend/main/README.md -
Status active verified 2026-07-10
committedDate":"2026-07-10T02:37:16.000+02:00""
https://github.com/localsend/localsend/commits/main -
E2E encryption Yes verified 2026-07-10
All data is sent securely over HTTPS, and the TLS/SSL certificate is generated on the fly on each device, ensuring maximum security.
https://raw.githubusercontent.com/localsend/localsend/main/README.md -
No account needed Yes verified 2026-07-10
LocalSend doesn't require an internet connection or third-party servers, making it a fast and reliable solution for local communication.
https://raw.githubusercontent.com/localsend/localsend/main/README.md -
Local network (P2P) Yes verified 2026-07-10
share files and messages with nearby devices over your local network without needing an internet connection.
https://raw.githubusercontent.com/localsend/localsend/main/README.md -
Password protection Yes verified 2026-07-10
Optional PIN required to receive files.
feat: add option to require PIN when receiving files
https://raw.githubusercontent.com/localsend/localsend/main/app/assets/CHANGELOG.md -
Open source Yes verified 2026-07-10
Apache License Version 2.0, January 2004
https://raw.githubusercontent.com/localsend/localsend/main/LICENSE -
CLI Yes verified 2026-07-10
The LocalSend CLI.
https://raw.githubusercontent.com/localsend/localsend/main/cli/README.md
FAQ
Yes. croc, Send Anywhere and Wormhole have a free tier or are fully free. Free-tier limits in the comparison table are verified and dated.
croc, PairDrop and Warpinator — every license claim links its source.