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Magic Wormhole alternatives: 4 apps ranked by verified data

Facts checked Oct 25, 2026AppBreakup editorialHow we rank

Common reasons people leave Magic Wormhole: command-line only in the reference version, and recipient needs the tool installed. We ranked 4 alternatives by how directly each one replaces Magic Wormhole, then by reviews, real visits and how recently each app's facts were checked against its own website. croc currently ranks first.

Quick comparison

#AppPricingOpen sourcePlatformsVerified factsScore
1Wormhole logoWormholeFreeNoWeb4 of 459.6
  1. Wormhole logo

    1. WormholeTop pick

    Best for: Sending sensitive files quickly to someone who will download them within a day

    FreeWeb

    59.6

    score / 100

    Why switch from Magic Wormhole

    Browser-based encrypted sharing for recipients who won't use a terminal.

    Pros

    • End-to-end encrypted in the browser
    • No account needed
    • Recipients can start downloading before the upload finishes

    Cons

    • Links expire after 24 hours
    • Files over 5 GB require the sender to stay online
    • No mobile app yet
    Visit Wormhole 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 Wormhole a good Magic Wormhole alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    End-to-end encryption
    Yes
    Checked Oct 25, 2026wormhole.app(opens source in a new tab)
    Retention
    24 hours
    Checked Oct 25, 2026wormhole.app(opens source in a new tab)
    Server storage limit
    5 GB, larger files go peer-to-peer
    Checked Oct 25, 2026wormhole.app(opens source in a new tab)
    Encryption
    128-bit AES-GCM
    Checked Oct 25, 2026wormhole.app(opens source in a new tab)

The best Magic Wormhole alternative for…

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

croc logo

Best Magic Wormhole alternative for most people

croc

Single binary with resumable transfers and no Python dependency.

LocalSend logo

Best Magic Wormhole alternative for a free option

LocalSend

Graphical app for nearby devices, easier for non-technical people.

WinSCP logo

Best Magic Wormhole alternative for open source

WinSCP

GUI transfers to servers you already have SSH access to.

croc logo

Best Magic Wormhole alternative for self-hosting

croc

Single binary with resumable transfers and no Python dependency.

croc logo

Best Magic Wormhole alternative for Mac

croc

Single binary with resumable transfers and no Python dependency.

croc logo

Best Magic Wormhole alternative for Windows

croc

Single binary with resumable transfers and no Python dependency.

croc logo

Best Magic Wormhole alternative for Linux

croc

Single binary with resumable transfers and no Python dependency.

LocalSend logo

Best Magic Wormhole alternative for iPhone and Android

LocalSend

Graphical app for nearby devices, easier for non-technical people.

Wormhole logo

Best Magic Wormhole alternative for working in the browser

Wormhole

Browser-based encrypted sharing for recipients who won't use a terminal.

Magic Wormhole alternatives: common questions

What is the best alternative to Magic Wormhole?

croc ranks first right now. Single binary with resumable transfers and no Python dependency. LocalSend and Wormhole follow it in our ranking.

Is there a free alternative to Magic Wormhole?

Yes. croc (open source), LocalSend (open source), Wormhole (free) and WinSCP (open source) have a free option. Check each app's verified facts for current plan limits.

Is there an open-source alternative to Magic Wormhole?

Yes: croc, LocalSend and WinSCP. croc can also be self-hosted.

Which Magic Wormhole alternatives work on Linux?

croc and LocalSend run on Linux.

Why do people switch from Magic Wormhole?

The complaints we hear most: command-line only in the reference version; recipient needs the tool installed; relies on project-run servers unless you host your own.

How is this list ranked?

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