27 Top Best P2P File Transfering Apps, Alternatives to Apple's Airdrop
AirDrop is a file transfer technology by Apple for iOS, macOS that enables users to transfer files quickly between Apple devices. It started from Mac OS X Lion and iOS 7.
Although, it does not work with non Apple devices, Linux, Windows and Android users can install and use dozens of open-source alternatives.
In this post, you will find many open-source and free Airdrop alternative to share files between devices easily.
Note that, some of these apps requires some technical knowledge to setup and use.
1- Sharedrop
Sharedrop is a free and open-source (MIT) web application that allows you to transfer files quickly using WebRTC peer-to-peer technology. It is compatible with Google Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Opera, and Safari 13+.
To install and start using the app, you will need some development skills. Additionally, Firebase is required for presence management.
szimek2- Localsend
LocalSend is a free, open-source app that enables secure file and message sharing between nearby devices over a local network without internet connection.
It uses a REST API and HTTPS encryption for cross-platform communication, eliminating the need for external servers and ensuring fast and reliable local communication.
Download
- Windows: Winget, Scoop, Chocolatey, MSIX Installer, EXE installer, Portable
- macOS: AppStore, Homebrew, DMG Installer.
- Linux: Flathub, AUR (Arch Linux), NixOS, TAR, DEB (Debian, Ubuntu, Linux Mint), AppImage.
- Android: F-Droid, Google Play Store, APK.
- iOS
- Amazon FireOS.
localsend3- ffsend
This is a free and open-source self-hosted implementation of Mozilla Send. It enables you to send files and directories directly from your terminal.
Send service supports large files up to 1 GB.
Features
- Fully featured and friendly command line tool
- Upload and download files and directories securely, always encrypted on the client
- Additional password protection, generation and configurable download limits
- File and directory archiving and extraction
- Built-in share URL shortener and QR code generator
- Supports Send v3 (current) and v2
- History tracking your files for easy management
- Ability to use your own Send hosts
- Inspect or delete shared files
- Accurate error reporting
- Streaming encryption and uploading/downloading, very low memory footprint
- Intended for use in scripts without interaction
- Can run smoothly on Android using Termux.
Platforms
- Linux: Flathub, AUR, Snap, Nix, Alpine, Fedora
- Windows: Scoop, Chocolatey
- macOS; Homebrew, Macports, Nix
- FreeBSD
- Android
- Docker
timvisee4- FlyingCarpet
FlyingCarpet is a lightweight app that allows you to send and receive files between popular devices using ad hoc WiFi. It does not rely on a shared network or cellular connection.
It supports Windows, Linux, macOS, Android, and iOS.
spieglt5- Blaze
Blaze is a file sharing progressive web app (PWA) that allows users to transfer files between multiple devices using web technologies. It supports instant file sharing with multiple devices at once and primarily uses WebTorrent and WebSockets protocol for direct peer-to-peer file transfer without any intermediate server.
Features
- Does not require any account
- Supports one-to-one and one-to-many multiple file transfers.
- Works across multiple networks and devices.
- Easy to use and no app installation required.
- Easy to deploy to services like Vercel.com
- Self-host in your Server using Docker
blenderskool6- Airshare
Airshare is a Python-based CLI tool and module that enables data transfer between two machines in a local network using Multicast-DNS. It also provides an HTTP gateway for non-CLI external interfaces. The tool works offline and is built with aiohttp and zeroconf.
Systems: Linux, macOS, Windows, Android (Termux).
Features
- Blazing fast content transfer within a local network.
- Lets you transfer plain text, send from or receive into your clipboard.
- Supports transfer of multiple files, directories and large files - content is sent chunk by chunk and never read into memory entirely.
- Lets you send files whose paths have been copied into the clipboard (more details in the docs).
- Cross-platform, works on Linux, Windows and Mac (CLI and Web Interface), and also supports mobile (Web Interface).
- Uses Multicast-DNS service registration and discovery - so you can access content with human-readable code words.
- Can be used as a module in other Python programs.
KuroLabs7- LAN-Share
LAN Share is a cross platform local area network file transfer application, built using Qt GUI framework. It can be used to transfer a whole folder, one or more files, large or small immediately without any additional configuration.
Features
- Send one or more files
- Send folder
- Send to multiple receiver at the same time
- Cancel, pause and resume operations while transfering
abdularis8- Airdash
Airdash is a free and open-source Flutter app that enables you to share files between many devices and many system. It uses WebRTC and Firebase for WebRTC signaling.
Platforms
- Windows
- iOS
- macOS
- Android
- Linux (Snap)
Key Features
- Support for all major platforms and app stores (iOS, macOS, Windows, Linux and Android)
- Free forever to send any number of files of any size
- Maximum privacy and security by fully encrypting files and transferring them directly between devices
- Quickly start transfers using native mobile share sheet and drag and drop on desktop
- Send files anywhere (no need to be on the same network or nearby)
- Automatically uses the best and fastest connection available (wifi, mobile internet, ethernet etc).
simonbengtsson9- FileShare (Android)
FireShare is a free open-source Android app to share files securely via best available method automatically detected from Direct connection (WiFi Direct, BT, etc), Local Network, Internet or Relay Server. Other transport modes are possible to add in the future if beneficial.
Rubberquacks10- FileDrop
FileDrop is an open-source peer-to-peer file transfer with end-to-end encryption.
Features
- Fully end-to-end encrypted, including metadata and chat.
- Peer-to-peer wherever possible (using WebRTC).
- Simple chat function with copy and paste.
- Minimalist user interface.
- Available as a Progressive Web Application.
mat-sz11- Zitri
Zitri is an open-source application for sharing files. Although it is a server-based app, it does not save the files on server.
maxkurylo12- OpenDrop
OpenDrop is a command-line tool that enables file sharing between devices over Wi-Fi. It is compatible with Apple AirDrop, allowing file sharing with iOS and macOS devices.
The app is written using Python and it can be installed on Windows, Linux systems, macOS, and Android (using Termux).
seemoo-lab13- Snapdrop
Snapdrop is a local file sharing tool inspired by Apple's Airdrop. It is built with Vanilla HTML5, ES6, CSS3 for the frontend, WebRTC and WebSockets for communication, NodeJS for the backend, and is a Progressive Web App.
RobinLinus14- WarpShare
WarpShare is an Android app that allows file transfer between Android devices and Mac using AirDrop-like functionality. It utilizes the AWDL protocol for faster transfers.
Features
- Utilizes the AWDL protocol, the same technology found in AirDrop, for faster file transfers between Mac and non-Apple devices.
- Easily transfer files by setting the AirDrop visibility to "Everyone" on your Mac.
- Sends files from Android devices to Mac with a maximum size of approximately 4.2 GB.
- Open-source and released under the Apache 2.0 License.
UjuiUjuMandan15- Portal
Portal is a command-line file transfer utility for sending files from any computer to another. It is written using Go lang, and can run on macOS, Linux, and Windows.
Key Features
- End-to-end encryption using PAKE2
- Direct transfer of files if possible (e.g. sender and receiver are in the same local network)
- Fallback to relay server if sender and receiver cannot connect directly
- Parallel gzip compression of files for faster and more efficient transfers
- Hosting your own relay (we'd appreciate it if you plan to send a lot of data!)
- Configurability and shell completions
- A shiny UI ⭐✨ to gaze your eyes upon while you wait for your files
SpatiumPortae16- Drop
This is a simple yet useful app that allows you to transfer files between different operating systems. It is written using C#, however it can run on Windows, Linux, and macOS.
PreyK17- Croc
croc is a CLI file-transfer tool that enables secure and simple transfer of files and folders between any two computers. It supports end-to-end encryption, cross-platform transfers, multiple file transfers, resuming interrupted transfers, and does not require a local server or port-forwarding. It is also IPv6-first with IPv4 fallback and can use proxies like Tor.
croc works for Windows, Linux, and macOS.
schollz18- Wave Share
Wave Share is a proof-of-concept for WebRTC signaling using sound. It allows nearby devices to negotiate a WebRTC connection by exchanging SDP data through audio tones, enabling data exchange via LAN.
ggerganov19- zrok
zrok is a peer-to-peer sharing platform built on OpenZiti, enabling public and private sharing of resources. It supports sharing tunnels for network resources, file sharing, web content sharing, and custom resource sharing. The platform is extensible and plans to offer super-simple sharing for end users in the future.
openziti20- HFS
HFS is a web-based file access and sharing solution that allows you to share files directly from your disk with unlimited space and bandwidth. It offers fast downloads, easy-to-use interface, real-time activity monitoring, bandwidth control, and the ability to share files without intermediaries.
Features
- https
- easy certificate generation
- unicode
- virtual file system
- mobile friendly
- search
- accounts
- resumable downloads & uploads
- download folders as zip archive
- remote delete
- simple website serving
- plug-ins
- real-time monitoring of connections
- show some files only
- speed throttler
- geographic firewall
- admin web interface
- multi-language front-end
- virtual hosting (plug-in)
- anti-brute-force (plug-in)
- reverse-proxy support
- comments in file descript.ion
rejetto21- Sharik
Sharik is an open-source, cross-platform solution for sharing files via Wi-Fi or Mobile Hotspot
Features
- Cross-platform
- You send any files to any device. The only requirement is the same network (for now, wink wink)
- Does not require Sharik installed on the recipient device
- Does not require an internet connection
- Simple minimalistic UI
- It is translated into many languages
Platforms
- Windows
- Linux
- macOS
- iOS
- Android: F-Droid, Google Play Store
marchellodev22- Quickshare
Quickshare is a free and open-source Quick and simple file sharing between different devices. It is still under active development. It is written using Golang, and it is available for Windows, Linux, and macOS (Intel, M1, M2)
Features
- Support uploading, downloading, creating, deleting and moving files and folders
- Resumable uploading and downloading
- Manage files and folders in browser
- Search files and folders with multiple keywords in seconds
- Share directories to others, including anonymous
- Scan QR codes to visit sharing folders
- Upload hundreds of files at once
- Steaming uploading: make it work behind CDN or reverse proxy
- Files can also be managed from OS
- Support multiple users
- Each user has a role (user/admin)
- User home directory
- Per-user download & upload speed limiting
- Per-user space quota
- Adaptive UI
- I18n support
- Wallpaper customization
ihexxa23- iWant
iWant is a free and open-source CLI based decentralized peer to peer file sharing.
Key Features
- Decentralized : There is no central server hosting files. Therefore, no central point of failure
- Easy discovery of files: As easy as searching for something in Google.
- File download from multiple peers: If the seeder fails/leaves the group, leecher will continue to download from another seeder in the network
- Directory download: Supports downloading directories
- Resume download: Resume download from where you left off.
- Consistent data: Any changes(modification, deletion, addition) made to files inside the shared folder will be instantly reflected in the network
- Cross Platform: Works in Linux/Windows/Mac. More testing needs to be done in Mac
nirvik24- Surge P2P file sharing client
Surge is a p2p filesharing app designed to utilize blockchain technologies to enable 100% anonymous file transfers. Surge is end-to-end encrypted, decentralized and open source.
rule110-io25- Filegogo
Filegogo is a free and open-source file transfer tool that can be used in the browser with WebRTC and P2P support.
a-wing26- WebDrop
WebDrop is a free P2P file transfer in browser similar to Apple's AirDrop. However, it requires connection to WebTorrent Trackers.
Features
- Easy to use
- Auto discover devices in the same network (LAN)
- Resume connection interrupted downloads
- No file download limit
- Download straight to your downloads folder without waiting
- Share through internet with a room code !
- Easily share Text Messages too !
subins200027- FileDrop
FileDrop is an application that allows for encrypted file sharing between two users through the use of web sockets.
Platforms: Windows, Linux, macOS.
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