Alternatives to IPFS Desktop
A desktop app that runs an IPFS node for sharing files over the peer-to-peer IPFS network. The listings below can replace it for an important use case. Each note says what changes if you switch.
The original
IPFS Desktop
A desktop app that runs an IPFS node for sharing files over the peer-to-peer IPFS network.
Replacements
Listings that take over the same core job as IPFS Desktop.
Instant.io
A browser-based WebTorrent tool for sharing and downloading files peer to peer.
Instant.io shares files peer to peer through WebTorrent in the browser with no install, but files are only shared while the tab stays open.
RetroShare
A decentralized, encrypted friend-to-friend network for chat, mail, forums, channels and file sharing.
RetroShare shares files over a decentralized friend-to-friend network with chat and forums, so it only helps once you have friends on the network.
Similar software
Related functionality, not a direct replacement.
FilePizza
An open-source web app for peer-to-peer file transfers directly between two browsers.
Tahoe-LAFS
A decentralized storage system that spreads encrypted files across multiple servers you control.
Peergos
Self-hostable encrypted storage that hides sharing metadata as well as content.
Syncthing
Keeps folders identical across your own machines, directly between them, with no cloud account in the middle.
Magic Wormhole
A command-line tool that sends files between computers securely using short one-time codes.
sendme
A command-line tool that sends files and folders directly between computers using iroh.
