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LocalSend alternatives: 6 apps ranked by verified data

Facts checked Oct 25, 2026AppBreakup editorialHow we rank

Common reasons people leave LocalSend: both devices must be on the same network, and no share links for remote recipients. We ranked 6 alternatives by how directly each one replaces LocalSend, then by reviews, real visits and how recently each app's facts were checked against its own website. PairDrop currently ranks first.

Quick comparison

#AppPricingOpen sourcePlatformsVerified factsScore
1PairDrop logoPairDropOpen sourceYesWeb, Self-hosted3 of 366.5
2AirDrop logoAirDropFreeNoiOS, macOS3 of 362.6
3Quick Share logoQuick ShareFreeNoAndroid, Windows4 of 459.6
4KDE Connect logoKDE ConnectOpen sourceYesLinux, Windows, macOS +24 of 457.2
5croc logocrocOpen sourceYesWindows, macOS, Linux3 of 355.3
6Syncthing logoSyncthingOpen sourceYesWindows, macOS, Linux +24 of 446.8
  1. PairDrop logo

    1. PairDropTop pick

    Best for: Quick device-to-device sends where installing an app isn't an option

    Open sourceSelf-hostableWeb, Self-hosted

    66.5

    score / 100

    Why switch from LocalSend

    Same nearby sharing but in the browser, with no app to install.

    Pros

    • Works in any modern browser with nothing to install
    • Pair devices to share across networks
    • Self-hostable and open-source

    Cons

    • Both devices must keep the page open
    • Large transfers can stall in some browsers
    • Smaller team than commercial tools
    Visit PairDrop Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.3100
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is PairDrop a good LocalSend alternative?

    Verified facts

    3 of 3 verified
    License
    GPL-3.0
    Checked Oct 25, 2026github.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Setup
    No setup or sign-up
    Checked Oct 25, 2026github.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Maintenance
    Active
    Checked Oct 25, 2026github.com(opens source in a new tab)
  2. AirDrop logo

    2. AirDrop

    Best for: Sending files between nearby iPhones, iPads and Macs with zero setup

    FreeiOS, macOS

    62.6

    score / 100

    Why switch from LocalSend

    Built into Apple devices if everyone you share with uses iPhone or Mac.

    Pros

    • Built in, free and very fast
    • No internet or account setup needed
    • Contacts-only mode limits unwanted requests

    Cons

    • Apple devices only for the most part
    • Only works between devices close to each other
    • No share links for remote recipients
    Visit AirDrop Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.387
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is AirDrop a good LocalSend alternative?

    Verified facts

    3 of 3 verified
    Works with
    Nearby Apple devices
    Checked Oct 25, 2026support.apple.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Requirements
    Wi-Fi and Bluetooth on
    Checked Oct 25, 2026support.apple.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Tap to share
    iOS 17 or later
    Checked Oct 25, 2026support.apple.com(opens source in a new tab)
  3. Quick Share logo

    3. Quick Share

    Best for: Android and Chromebook users sending files to nearby phones and PCs

    FreeAndroid, Windows

    59.6

    score / 100

    Why switch from LocalSend

    Built into Android and available for Windows PCs.

    Pros

    • Built into most Android phones and Chromebooks
    • Works with Windows PCs via a free app
    • QR code fallback when discovery fails

    Cons

    • Only works with devices nearby
    • Windows app needs compatible hardware
    • AirDrop support depends on device and region
    Visit Quick Share Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.377
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Quick Share a good LocalSend alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    Share to
    Android, iPhone, Chromebook, Windows PC
    Checked Oct 25, 2026android.com(opens source in a new tab)
    AirDrop support
    Yes
    Checked Oct 25, 2026android.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Windows PCs
    Folders and files from Android
    Checked Oct 25, 2026android.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Range
    Bluetooth distance, Wi-Fi on
    Checked Oct 25, 2026android.com(opens source in a new tab)
  4. KDE Connect logo

    4. KDE Connect

    Best for: Linux and Android users who want their phone and computer tightly linked

    Open sourceLinux, Windows, macOS, Android, iOS

    57.2

    score / 100

    Why switch from LocalSend

    Adds clipboard, notification sync and remote input on top of file sharing.

    Pros

    • File sharing plus clipboard, notifications and remote input
    • Free and open-source
    • Works on any Linux desktop, with GNOME support via GSConnect

    Cons

    • Same-network only
    • iOS version is limited
    • More setup than a simple send-a-file app
    Visit KDE Connect Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.369
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is KDE Connect a good LocalSend alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    Licensing
    Open source, free for any purpose
    Checked Oct 25, 2026kdeconnect.kde.org(opens source in a new tab)
    Android stores
    Google Play, Huawei AppGallery, F-Droid
    Checked Oct 25, 2026kdeconnect.kde.org(opens source in a new tab)
    Windows
    Microsoft Store or offline installer
    Checked Oct 25, 2026kdeconnect.kde.org(opens source in a new tab)
    iOS
    Native port on the App Store
    Checked Oct 25, 2026kdeconnect.kde.org(opens source in a new tab)
  5. croc logo

    5. croc

    Best for: Developers and sysadmins sending files between machines from the command line

    Open sourceSelf-hostableWindows, macOS, Linux

    55.3

    score / 100

    Why switch from LocalSend

    Sends across the internet with a code phrase when devices aren't on the same network.

    Pros

    • Single binary with no dependencies
    • Resumes interrupted transfers
    • Can run your own relay

    Cons

    • Command-line only
    • Recipient must install croc too
    • Default public relay is run by the author
    Visit croc Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.363
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is croc a good LocalSend alternative?

    Verified facts

    3 of 3 verified
    License
    MIT
    Checked Oct 25, 2026github.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Purpose
    Send files between two computers
    Checked Oct 25, 2026github.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Maintenance
    Active
    Checked Oct 25, 2026github.com(opens source in a new tab)
  6. Syncthing logo

    6. Syncthing

    Best for: Technical users who want private sync between their own machines

    Open sourceSelf-hostableWindows, macOS, Linux, Android, Self-hosted

    46.8

    score / 100

    Why switch from LocalSend

    Keeps whole folders in sync between devices instead of one-off sends.

    Pros

    • No cloud provider, no storage limits, no fees
    • Encrypted device-to-device connections
    • Runs on almost any OS, including servers and NAS

    Cons

    • A device must be online for others to sync
    • No public share links
    • Configuration-heavy for non-technical users
    Visit Syncthing Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.334
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Syncthing a good LocalSend alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    Central server
    None
    Checked Oct 25, 2026syncthing.net(opens source in a new tab)
    Encryption
    TLS between devices
    Checked Oct 25, 2026syncthing.net(opens source in a new tab)
    Open source
    Yes
    Checked Oct 25, 2026syncthing.net(opens source in a new tab)
    Platforms
    macOS, Windows, Linux, FreeBSD and more
    Checked Oct 25, 2026syncthing.net(opens source in a new tab)

The best LocalSend alternative for…

The highest-ranked app in this list for each need.

PairDrop logo

Best LocalSend alternative for most people

PairDrop

Same nearby sharing but in the browser, with no app to install.

AirDrop logo

Best LocalSend alternative for a free option

AirDrop

Built into Apple devices if everyone you share with uses iPhone or Mac.

KDE Connect logo

Best LocalSend alternative for open source

KDE Connect

Adds clipboard, notification sync and remote input on top of file sharing.

croc logo

Best LocalSend alternative for self-hosting

croc

Sends across the internet with a code phrase when devices aren't on the same network.

Syncthing logo

Best LocalSend alternative for Mac

Syncthing

Keeps whole folders in sync between devices instead of one-off sends.

Quick Share logo

Best LocalSend alternative for Windows

Quick Share

Built into Android and available for Windows PCs.

KDE Connect logo

Best LocalSend alternative for Linux

KDE Connect

Adds clipboard, notification sync and remote input on top of file sharing.

KDE Connect logo

Best LocalSend alternative for iPhone and Android

KDE Connect

Adds clipboard, notification sync and remote input on top of file sharing.

PairDrop logo

Best LocalSend alternative for working in the browser

PairDrop

Same nearby sharing but in the browser, with no app to install.

LocalSend alternatives: common questions

What is the best alternative to LocalSend?

PairDrop ranks first right now. Same nearby sharing but in the browser, with no app to install. AirDrop and Quick Share follow it in our ranking.

Is there a free alternative to LocalSend?

Yes. PairDrop (open source), AirDrop (free), Quick Share (free) and KDE Connect (open source) have a free option. Check each app's verified facts for current plan limits.

Is there an open-source alternative to LocalSend?

Yes: PairDrop, KDE Connect, croc and Syncthing. PairDrop, croc and Syncthing can also be self-hosted.

Which LocalSend alternatives work on Linux?

KDE Connect, croc and Syncthing run on Linux.

Why do people switch from LocalSend?

The complaints we hear most: both devices must be on the same network; no share links for remote recipients; some routers and guest networks block device discovery.

How is this list ranked?

Every app is scored with the same published formula: how directly it replaces LocalSend, reviews (weighted by verification), visits from AppBreakup, how recently its facts were checked against its own website, and reader votes.