Alternatives to LocalSend

Sends files between nearby devices over your own network, with no account, server or internet connection. The listings below can replace it for an important use case. Each note says what changes if you switch.

Replacements

Listings that take over the same core job as LocalSend.

  • Pushbullet

    A service that links phones and computers for sending pushes, sharing files and mirroring SMS.

    FreemiumProprietaryWindowsmacOSAndroidWeb

    Pushbullet also sends files between phones and computers and mirrors SMS, but it is a proprietary service that depends on its own servers, with no iOS or Linux apps listed.

  • Warpinator

    Linux Mint's app for sending and receiving files between computers on the same local network.

    FreeOpen sourceLinux

    Warpinator also sends files directly over the local network without an account, but the official app runs only on Linux.

  • Feem

    App for sending files directly between phones and computers over local Wi-Fi without internet.

    FreemiumProprietaryWindowsmacOSLinuxAndroidiOS

    Feem sends files over shared Wi-Fi with TLS 1.3 on all major platforms, but it is closed source freemium software.

  • Send Anywhere

    A cross-platform file sharing service that sends files between devices using one-time keys or links.

    FreeProprietaryWindowsmacOSAndroidiOSWeb

    Send Anywhere uses one-time keys and works across the internet and in the browser, but it is closed source and not limited to your local network.

  • KDE Connect

    Links a phone and a computer to share files, links, notifications and remote controls.

    FreeOpen sourceLinuxAndroid

    KDE Connect sends files between Linux and Android and adds notifications and remote controls, but needs pairing and targets KDE desktops.

  • Blip

    An app for sending files and folders of any size directly between devices and people.

    FreeProprietaryWindowsmacOSLinuxAndroidiOS

    Blip sends files of any size across all major platforms and resumes after interruptions, but it is closed source and works beyond the local network.

  • Magic Wormhole

    A command-line tool that sends files between computers securely using short one-time codes.

    FreeOpen sourceWindowsmacOSLinuxCommand line

    Magic Wormhole sends end-to-end encrypted files with short codes over the internet, but it is command-line only and has no mobile apps.

  • FilePizza

    An open-source web app for peer-to-peer file transfers directly between two browsers.

    FreeOpen sourceWeb

    FilePizza transfers files browser to browser with no install, but the sender must keep the page open during the transfer.

Also worth comparing

These listings name LocalSend as their own alternative, so the relationship runs both ways.

  • AirDroid

    A service for transferring files between Android phones and computers and controlling devices remotely.

    FreemiumProprietaryAndroidWeb

    LocalSend is free, open source under Apache-2.0 and works fully offline on the local network, with no account, but it has no remote control features.

  • LANDrop

    A cross-platform app for sending files to other devices on the same local network.

    FreeProprietaryWindowsmacOSLinuxAndroidiOS

    LocalSend is open source under Apache-2.0 and also sends files offline across Windows, macOS, Linux, Android and iOS with no account or server.

  • NearDrop

    An unofficial macOS menu bar app that receives files from Android devices over Quick Share.

    FreeOpen sourcemacOS

    LocalSend uses its own protocol, so the Android phone needs the LocalSend app, but it works across Windows, macOS, Linux, Android and iOS.

  • qrcp

    A command-line tool that transfers files over Wi-Fi to a phone by scanning a QR code.

    FreeOpen sourceCommand line

    LocalSend offers graphical apps on Windows, macOS, Linux, Android and iOS, so the phone needs the LocalSend app instead of just scanning a QR code.

  • Quick Share

    Google's wireless file sharing between Android devices and Windows PCs.

    FreeProprietaryWindowsAndroid

    LocalSend is open source and runs on Windows, macOS, Linux, Android and iOS, covering Apple and Linux devices that Quick Share does not.

  • RQuickShare

    An open-source Quick Share client for Linux and macOS that exchanges files with Android devices.

    FreeOpen sourcemacOSLinux

    LocalSend uses its own protocol, so Android phones need the LocalSend app, but it covers Windows, macOS, Linux, Android and iOS.

  • sendme

    A command-line tool that sends files and folders directly between computers using iroh.

    FreeOpen sourceCommand line

    LocalSend adds graphical apps for desktop and mobile but only works when both devices are on the same local network.

  • SHAREit

    A mobile app for transferring files between nearby devices, now bundled with entertainment content.

    FreeProprietaryAndroid

    LocalSend is open source with no ads, and works offline across Windows, macOS, Linux, Android and iOS.

  • Snapdrop

    A browser-based tool for sending files and messages to nearby devices, inspired by AirDrop.

    FreeOpen sourceWeb

    LocalSend requires installing an app on each device instead of opening a web page, but it is open source and has native apps for Windows, macOS, Linux, Android and iOS.

Similar software

Related functionality, not a direct replacement.