AirDrop Alternatives

AirDrop is described as 'With AirDrop, you can wirelessly send documents, photos, videos, websites, map locations, and more to a nearby iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, or Mac' and is an app in the file sharing category. There are more than 100 alternatives to AirDrop for a variety of platforms, including Windows, Web-based, Android, Mac and Linux apps. The best AirDrop alternative is LocalSend, which is both free and Open Source. Other great apps like AirDrop are Syncthing, KDE Connect, OnionShare and Blip.

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Alternatives list

  1. LocalSend icon

    LocalSend

     383 likes

    Open-source solution providing encrypted, peer-to-peer file and message sharing across Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS without internet access, using only local networks. No setup required, ensuring privacy with no cloud involvement or external servers.

    110 LocalSend alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • AppImageHub
    • Snapcraft
    • Flathub
    • F-Droid
    • Chocolatey
    LocalSend screenshot 1
     
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    3
    LocalSend vs AirDrop Comments
    Shaz Shah
    Positive
    0

    I did try SnapDrop, but that was a hit and miss. Probably because it's a PWA (Progressive Web App).

    Found this in F-Droid and I have to say this is the best FOSS alternative to AirDrop. I do use it to share files with family as well as between my devices.

    One bit I really like is that you have to go into the app and be ready to receive a file, so that no-one can randomly send something to you.

    AdrienVR
    Positive
    0

    Very easy to use, very fast

    SearcherForAlternatives
    Positive
    0

    LocalSend is just the best cross-plateform alternative to Airdrop, free, open-source, works without internet, by LAN, portable, even on web browser

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    • LocalSend is Free and Open SourceAirDrop is Free and Proprietary
    • LocalSend is Lightweight and Privacy focusedAirDrop is not according to our users
  2. Syncthing icon

    Syncthing

     876 likes

    Open-source, peer-to-peer service offering encrypted file synchronization, ensuring data privacy and user-autonomy without relying on cloud storage or central servers, suitable for various uses.

    133 Syncthing alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    • Self-Hosted
    • Cloudron
    • Termux
    • Terminal
    Syncthing screenshot 1
     
  4. KDE Connect icon

    KDE Connect

     387 likes

    Empowers seamless interaction between devices, offering notifications, SMS replies, music control, file sharing, volume control, secure connections, and cross-platform compatibility.

    85 KDE Connect alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • KDE Plasma
    • F-Droid
    • Sailfish OS
    • Plasma Mobile
    • Chocolatey
    • HUAWEI AppGallery
    KDE Connect screenshot 1
     
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    1
    KDE Connect vs AirDrop Comments
    Shaz Shah
    Positive
    0

    KDE Connect is a brilliant application, but I wouldn't consider this a direct AirDrop alternative. The use case for this is to register a device to get a Apple-like experience between your computer and smartphone (see messages, share clipboard, share documents). You cannot share files with other people's devices (with a different OS).

    • KDE Connect is Free and Open SourceAirDrop is Free and Proprietary
    • KDE Connect is Privacy focused and LightweightAirDrop is not according to our users
  5. OnionShare icon

    OnionShare

     111 likes

    Enables secure and anonymous file sharing, website hosting, and private chat using local onion services via Tor. Runs a direct web server on your device; no third-party servers or user registration required. Links are password-protected and must be accessed via Tor Browser.

    66 OnionShare alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • iPad
    • Snapcraft
    • Flathub
    • F-Droid
    OnionShare screenshot 1
     
  6. Blip icon

    Blip

     38 likes

    Send anything in a click. Blip lets you send any size files and folders fast by maximizing your speed and keeping your progress if you lose connection.

    40 Blip alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free Personal
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    Main screen of the Blip app for Windows in Dark Mode
     
  7. PairDrop icon

    PairDrop

     54 likes

    Browser-based peer-to-peer file sharing for images, documents, and text that works on all systems, including Android, iOS, Linux, and Windows. Enables quick transfers in local networks or Wi-Fi without installation or registration, preserving original file quality.

    73 PairDrop alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Online
    • Self-Hosted
    • Cloudron
    PairDrop screenshot 1
     
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    1
    PairDrop vs AirDrop Comments
    Sitric
    Positive
    0

    Really powerful and easy to use. Just need a browser to use it. Open source and perfect for just getting files from one device to another on your local network. Supports transferring files over the internet as well (public rooms). Overall really really useful piece of software that I use at home and at work all the time.

    • PairDrop is Free and Open SourceAirDrop is Free and Proprietary
    • PairDrop is Lightweight and Privacy focusedAirDrop is not according to our users
  9. Send icon

    Send

     80 likes

    Send lets you share files with end-to-end encryption and a link that automatically expires. So you can keep what you share private and make sure your stuff doesn’t stay online forever.

    105 Send alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Self-Hosted
    • Online
    Send screenshot 1
     
  10. RetroShare icon

    RetroShare

     163 likes

    Open source, decentralized platform enabling encrypted chat, secure voice and video calls, anonymous file sharing with swarming, censorship-resistant forums, channels, link sharing, and offline messaging. Uses OpenPGP and OpenSSL for robust privacy and security.

    140 RetroShare alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • BSD
    • OpenPGP
    Network tab with contact list and broadcast subtab open. The subtab shows text and image sent by one contact to all connected contacts.
     
  11. Pushbullet icon

    Pushbullet

     225 likes

    Share links, files, photos, lists, and notes between phone and desktop, mirror notifications, manage messages, and sync clipboard with multiple platforms or friends using basic or advanced features, including real-time transfers and encryption.

    68 Pushbullet alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • Online
    • Android
    • Android Tablet
    • Google Chrome
    • Opera
    • Mozilla Firefox
    Pushbullet screenshot 1
     
  12. Wormhole icon

    Wormhole

     45 likes

    Simple, private file sharing

    Wormhole lets you share files up to 10GB with end-to-end encryption and a link that automatically expires. So you can keep what you share private and make sure your stuff doesn't stay online forever.

    123 Wormhole alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • Online
    • WebApps
    Wormhole screenshot 1
     
  13. WeTransfer icon

    WeTransfer

     111 likes

    Effortlessly share files up to 2 GB for free with secure, straightforward transfers for photos, videos, and more. Upgrade to WeTransfer Plus for $12/month to send up to 20 GB with enhanced security, extended access, and password protection, making it ideal for professionals and frequent users.

    257 WeTransfer alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    Homepage
     
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