AirDrop Alternatives for Linux

AirDrop is not available for Linux but there are plenty of alternatives that runs on Linux with similar functionality. The best Linux alternative is LocalSend, which is both free and Open Source. If that doesn't suit you, our users have ranked more than 100 alternatives to AirDrop and many of them are available for Linux so hopefully you can find a suitable replacement. Other interesting Linux alternatives to AirDrop are Syncthing, KDE Connect, OnionShare and RetroShare.

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Alternatives list

  1. LocalSend icon

    LocalSend

     377 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.

    108 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.

    132 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

     385 likes

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

    84 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

     110 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.

    64 OnionShare alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

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

    137 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.
     
  7. Croc icon

    Croc

     25 likes

    Facilitates encrypted peer-to-peer file sharing across major platforms using unique code phrases for authentication, ensuring end-to-end security, resumable transfers, direct device pairing without accounts, no external data storage, and simple installation.

    112 Croc alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source (MIT)

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    • Termux
    Croc screenshot 1
     
  9. Warpinator icon

    Warpinator

     20 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.

    90 Warpinator alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • Android Tablet
    • Flathub
    • Flatpak
    Warpinator screenshot 1
     
  10. Send Anywhere icon

    Send Anywhere

     110 likes

    Share unlimited files of any size or type instantly across Android, iOS, Windows, Mac, and Linux using peer-to-peer transfer, no login or signup required, a one-time six-digit code pairs devices, enabling secure, real-time, direct device-to-device file sharing.

    221 Send Anywhere alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Google Chrome
    • Kindle Fire
    Web (https://send-anywhere.com)
     
  11. Dukto R6 icon

    Dukto R6

     81 likes

    Dukto is an easy file transfer tool designed for LAN use. Use it in everyday work to transfer files from one PC to another, without worrying about users, permissions, operating systems, protocols, clients, servers and so on… Just start dukto on the two PCs and transfer files and...

    45 Dukto R6 alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Alerts

    • Discontinued

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Windows Mobile
    • Android
    • Symbian S60
    • Android Tablet
    Dukto R6 screenshot 1
     
  12. Magic Wormhole icon

    Magic Wormhole

     26 likes

    This package provides a library and a command-line tool named wormhole, which makes it possible to get arbitrary-sized files and directories (or short pieces of text) from one computer to another.

    85 Magic Wormhole alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source (MIT)

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Python
     
  13. Valent icon

    Valent

     13 likes

    Securely connect your devices to open files and links where you need them, get notifications when you need them, stay in control of your media and more.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • GNOME
    • Flatpak
    • KDE Connect
    Valent screenshot 1
     
12 of 42 AirDrop alternatives