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

AirDrop iconAirDrop
  14
  • Free • Proprietary
  • ...

With AirDrop, you can wirelessly send documents, photos, videos, websites, map locations, and more to a nearby iPhone,...

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AirDrop alternatives page was last updated Apr 6, 2025
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Alternatives
  1. LocalSend icon

    LocalSend

     237 likes
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    LocalSend is a free, open-source, cross-platform file-sharing tool designed to securely share files and messages with nearby devices over your local network without needing an internet connection. Here are some of its key features:

    89 LocalSend alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application type

    Country of Origin

    • DE flagGermany
    • European Union flagEU

    Platforms

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

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight
    2.  Privacy focused

    Features

    1.  Secure File Sharing
    2.  No registration required
    3.  Large File Transfer
    4.  Ad-free
    5.  LAN
    6.  Dark Mode
    7.  No Tracking
    8.  End-to-End Encryption
    9.  Decentralized
    10.  Works Offline
    11.  Portable

    LocalSend VS AirDrop

     
    Comments about LocalSend as an Alternative to AirDrop
    Shaz Shah
    Positive •Jun 6, 2024
    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 •Oct 23, 2023
    0

    Very easy to use, very fast

    AirDrop Icon
    LocalSend icon

    • Almost everyone thinks LocalSend is a great AirDrop alternative.

    • LocalSend is the most popular Windows, Android, Mac & iPhone alternative to AirDrop.

    • LocalSend is the most popular Open Source & free alternative to AirDrop.

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

    Syncthing

     804 likes
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    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.

    126 Syncthing alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • SE flagSweden
    • European Union flagEU

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    • Self-Hosted
    • Cloudron
    • Termux
    • Terminal
    Syncthing screenshot 1

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight
    2.  Privacy focused

    Features

    1.  Peer-To-Peer
    2.  Decentralized
    3.  Folder Sync
    4.  File Sync
    5.  Real-time sync
    6.  End-to-End Encryption
    7.  Synchronization
    8.  Ad-free
    9.  Large File Transfer
    10.  Dark Mode
    11.  No registration required
    12.  Portable

    Syncthing VS AirDrop

     

    • Syncthing is the most popular Self-Hosted alternative to AirDrop.

    • Syncthing is Free and Open SourceAirDrop is Free and Proprietary
    • Syncthing is Decentralized and LightweightAirDrop is not according to our users
  4. KDE Connect icon

    KDE Connect

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

    70 KDE Connect alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • DE flagGermany
    • European Union flagEU

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • KDE Plasma
    • F-Droid
    • Sailfish OS
    • Plasma Mobile
    • Chocolatey
    KDE Connect screenshot 1

    Properties

    1.  Privacy focused
    2.  Lightweight

    Features

    1.  Share Clipboard
    2.  Remote media control
    3.  Send & Receive SMS
    4.  Real-time sync
    5.  Integrated File Sharing
    6.  Large File Transfer
    7.  Ad-free
    8.  Remote File Access
    9.  Battery level report
    10.  Live Push Notifications
    11.  Remote music control
    12.  No Tracking

    KDE Connect VS AirDrop

     
    Comments about KDE Connect as an Alternative to AirDrop
    Shaz Shah
    Positive •Jun 6, 2024
    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).

    AirDrop Icon
    KDE Connect icon
    • KDE Connect is Free and Open SourceAirDrop is Free and Proprietary
    • KDE Connect is Privacy focusedAirDrop is not according to our users
  5. PairDrop icon

    PairDrop

     37 likes
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    Local file sharing in your browser. Inspired by Apple's AirDrop. Fork of Snapdrop.

    57 PairDrop alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Online
    • Self-Hosted
    PairDrop screenshot 1

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight
    2.  Privacy focused

    Features

    1.  Secure File Sharing
    2.  No registration required
    3.  Peer-To-Peer
    4.  Dark Mode
    5.  WebRTC
    6.  Decentralized
    7.  Ad-free
    8.  No Tracking
    9.  Multiple languages
    10.  Progressive Web App
    11.  Local network sharing
    12.  Local Network Connection

    PairDrop VS AirDrop

     
    Comments about PairDrop as an Alternative to AirDrop
    Sitric
    Positive •Apr 6, 2025
    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.

    AirDrop Icon
    PairDrop icon

    • PairDrop is the most popular Web-based alternative to AirDrop.

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

    Send

     64 likes
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    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.

    86 Send alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Online
    • Self-Hosted
    Send screenshot 1

    Properties

    1.  Privacy focused

    Features

    1.  Secure File Sharing
    2.  Large File Transfer
    3.  File Sending
    4.  No registration required
    5.  End-to-End Encryption
    6.  Ad-free
    7.  Dark Mode
    8.  No Tracking
    9.  No Logs
    10.  File Hosting

    Send VS AirDrop

     
  7. OnionShare icon

    OnionShare

     91 likes
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    OnionShare is an open source tool that lets you securely and anonymously share files, host websites, and chat with friends using the Tor network.

    56 OnionShare alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • F-Droid
    • Flathub
    OnionShare screenshot 1

    Properties

    1.  Privacy focused
    2.  Lightweight

    Features

    1.  Tor
    2.  Anonymous Secure Filesharing
    3.  No Coding Required
    4.  Ad-free
    5.  End-to-End Encryption
    6.  No Tracking
    7.  Dark Mode
    8.  No registration required
    9.  Receive files

    OnionShare VS AirDrop

     
  9. RetroShare icon

    RetroShare

     158 likes
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    RetroShare is a open source cross-platform, private and secure decentralized communication system. It lets you to securely chat, share photos, videos, and more, using OpenPGP to authenticate peers and .

    126 RetroShare alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

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

    Properties

    1.  Privacy focused

    Features

    1.  Decentralized
    2.  Serverless
    3.  End-to-End Encryption
    4.  Peer-To-Peer
    5.  Anonymous Secure Filesharing
    6.  Secure File Sharing
    7.  Shared Folders
    8.  GPG Encryption
    9.  Secure Chat
    10.  Tor
    11. I2P icon  i2P integration
    12.  Voice Chat

    RetroShare VS AirDrop

     
  10. Wormhole icon

    Wormhole

     38 likes
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    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.

    99 Wormhole alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Proprietary

    Application type

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • Online
    • WebApps
    Wormhole screenshot 1

    Properties

    1.  Privacy focused
    2.  Lightweight

    Features

    1.  End-to-End Encryption
    2.  Expiring Downloads
    3.  One-link file sharing
    4.  Command line interface
    5.  No registration required
    6.  Multiple languages
    7.  File Sending
    8.  Attachments

    Wormhole VS AirDrop

     
  11. WeTransfer icon

    WeTransfer

     106 likes
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    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.

    237 WeTransfer alternatives

    License model

    • Freemium • Proprietary

    Application type

    Country of Origin

    • NL flagNetherlands
    • European Union flagEU

    Platforms

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

    WeTransfer Features

    1.  Expiring Links
    2.  No registration required
    3.  File Sending
    4.  Support for Large File
    5.  Direct file uploading
    6.  Attachments

    WeTransfer VS AirDrop

     
  12. SwissTransfer icon

    SwissTransfer

     27 likes
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    SwissTransfer is a data transfer service that lets you send up to 50 GB. It’s free of charge, free of ads and it respects your privacy.

    97 SwissTransfer alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Proprietary

    Application type

    Country of Origin

    • CH flagSwitzerland

    Platforms

    • Online
    • Google Chrome
    • Firefox
    SwissTransfer screenshot 1

    SwissTransfer Features

    1.  No Subscription
    2.  Large File Transfer
    3.  Support for Large File
    4.  Expiring Downloads
    5.  No registration required
    6.  Secure File Sharing
    7.  Ad-free
    8.  Expiring Links
    9.  End-to-End Encryption
    10.  Password protection

    SwissTransfer VS AirDrop

     
  13. Send Anywhere icon

    Send Anywhere

     109 likes
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    A cross-platform file sharing service which allows users to easily share digital content peer-to-peer, in real-time, without cloud storage.

    201 Send Anywhere alternatives

    License model

    • Freemium • Proprietary

    Application type

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • Windows Phone
    • iPad
    • Google Chrome
    • Kindle Fire
    Web (https://send-anywhere.com)

    Send Anywhere Features

    1.  Peer-To-Peer
    2.  File Sending
    3.  Personal-assistant

    Send Anywhere VS AirDrop

     
  14. Croc icon

    Croc

     19 likes
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    croc is a tool I built to easily and securely transfer stuff from one computer to another.

    The only tool that is easily installed and used on any platform, and has secure peer-to-peer transferring, and has the capability to resume broken transfers.

    92 Croc alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    • Termux
    Croc screenshot 1

    Properties

    1.  Privacy focused
    2.  Lightweight
    3.  Security-focused

    Features

    1.  Secure File Sharing
    2.  Data transfer
    3.  File Sending
    4.  Peer-To-Peer
    5.  Multi Platform
    6.  Local network sharing
    7.  Command line interface
    8.  Ad-free
    9.  No registration required
    10.  Portable
    11.  Password protection

    Croc VS AirDrop

     
12 of 117 AirDrop alternatives