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 Web-based, Windows, Android, Mac and Linux apps. The best AirDrop alternative is LocalSend, which is both free and Open Source. Other great apps like AirDrop are KDE Connect, Blip, OnionShare and PairDrop.

More about AirDrop
Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard
AirDrop alternatives page was last updated

Alternatives list

  1. LocalSend icon

    LocalSend

     470 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.

    145 LocalSend alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • AppImageHub
    • Snapcraft
    • Flathub
    • F-Droid
    • Chocolatey
    • Linux Mobile
    LocalSend screenshot 1
     
    |
    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

    • LocalSend is Free and Open SourceAirDrop is Free and Proprietary
    • LocalSend is Lightweight, Privacy focused and DecentralizedAirDrop is not according to our users
  2. KDE Connect icon

    KDE Connect

     423 likes

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

    96 KDE Connect alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • HUAWEI AppGallery
    • iPad
    • KDE Plasma
    • F-Droid
    • Sailfish OS
    • Plasma Mobile
    • Chocolatey
    KDE Connect screenshot 1
     
    |
    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
  4. Blip icon

    Blip

     52 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.

    67 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
     
  5. OnionShare icon

    OnionShare

     123 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.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

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

    PairDrop

     59 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.

    95 PairDrop alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Online
    • Self-Hosted
    • Cloudron
    PairDrop screenshot 1
     
    |
    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, Decentralized and Privacy focusedAirDrop is not according to our users
  8. Send icon

    Send

     87 likes

    Secure file sharing tool with end-to-end encryption and auto-expiring links. Forked from Firefox Send, it's now self-hostable and compatible with ffsend CLI. Share files up to 2.5GB privately and securely, knowing they won't stay online forever.

    127 Send alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application type

    Platforms

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

    RetroShare

     172 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.

    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.
     
  10. Wormhole icon

    Wormhole

     46 likes

    Private file sharing platform with end-to-end encryption & auto-expiring links. Generates links in under 2 seconds with peer-to-peer transfers. Additional features include QR codes, multi-language support & custom expiration settings. Supports Tor Browser & clipboard file sharing.

    157 Wormhole alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • Online
    Wormhole screenshot 1
     
  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.

    80 Pushbullet alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

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

    WeTransfer

     113 likes

    File-sharing platform for transferring files like presentations, photos, videos & docs. Free plan allows 3 GB/month, while Starter (300 GB) and Ultimate/Teams plans offer custom branding, malware scanning & transfer recovery. Teams plan supports up to 25 members. Upgrade for unlimited transfers & more features.

    294 WeTransfer alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Mac
    WeTransfer screenshot 1
     
  13. SwissTransfer icon

    SwissTransfer

     38 likes

    Secure and free data transfer service that lets you send up to 50GB. No registration required, with download links valid for 30 days. Share files via email or link, with optional password protection. Data is stored in Switzerland, complying with GDPR, ensuring secure sharing for individuals and businesses.

    152 SwissTransfer alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Online
    • Google Chrome
    SwissTransfer screenshot 1
     
  14. Warpinator icon

    Warpinator

     23 likes

    Allows secure, high-speed file transfers across multiple devices on a local network, requires installation on each device, supports auto-detection, port selection, custom codes, and offers a themeable, easy-to-use interface requiring no server configuration.

    119 Warpinator alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • Android Tablet
    • Flathub
    • Flatpak
    Warpinator screenshot 1
     
12 of 176 AirDrop alternatives