Important: same network required
Both tools discover devices over your local network, so both devices must be connected to the same Wi-Fi or network. AirDrop's direct connection does not need a router.
Alternatives / Apple AirDrop
2 open-source alternatives
2 Best Open Source Apple AirDrop Alternatives in 2026
Looking for an open source Apple AirDrop alternative? We compared 2 open source tools for sending files between nearby devices by license, platforms, and setup. Unlike AirDrop, both work across Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS, and neither needs an account.
Written by Maxime DERAME
Last updated:
Best Apple AirDrop alternatives at a glance
| Alternative | Best for | License |
|---|---|---|
| LocalSend | Native apps on every major platform | Apache-2.0 |
| PairDrop | Browser-based sharing with zero setup | GPL-3.0 |
How we chose these Apple AirDrop alternatives
We looked for open-source tools that send files between nearby devices without a cloud account. We verified each project's license, recent activity, stars, and platforms in its repository. Both rely on a shared local network instead of Bluetooth and Wi-Fi Direct like AirDrop. See our methodology for the full criteria.
Closest to AirDrop
LocalSend is the most popular, with over 94,000 stars: an app for Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS that discovers nearby devices automatically and sends files and messages with encryption and no account or internet.
No installation needed
PairDrop works in a browser, so you can send files by opening a page on each device. It also supports self-hosting. Its last commit was in April 2026.
License details
LocalSend is Apache-2.0. PairDrop is GPL-3.0.
Why look for a Apple AirDrop alternative?
AirDrop is built into Apple devices and works only between them, so it fails when you send files to Windows, Linux, or Android. Open-source alternatives work across platforms, need no account, and send files directly between devices, at the cost of needing both devices on the same network and, for one, an app install.
localsend.org
LocalSend is an Apache-2.0 app for sharing files and messages between nearby devices over your local network without internet or an account. Transfers are encrypted, devices are discovered automatically, and it runs on Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS.
94.5K5.3KApache-2.0Desktop and mobile apps
Pricing: Free and open source.
- Works on every major platform
- No account or internet needed
- Encrypted transfers
- Both devices must be on the same network
- Needs an app on each device
pairdrop.net
PairDrop is a GPL-3.0 web app for sending files between devices on the same network directly in the browser, with no account, installation, or setup. Devices find each other automatically, and it can also be self-hosted. The last commit was in April 2026.
11.6K699GPL-3.0Self-hosted
Pricing: Free and open source.
- Works in any browser
- No account or installation
- Self-hostable
- Slower development recently
- Needs both devices online at the same time
Compare Apple AirDrop alternatives
| Alternative | Type | License | Requires install | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LocalSend | File sharing app | Apache-2.0 | Yes | Regular cross-platform sharing |
| PairDrop | Web app | GPL-3.0 | No | Quick one-off transfers |
Which one should you choose?
Want apps on all your devices with encryption
LocalSend runs on Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS and encrypts transfers.
Want to share without installing anything
PairDrop works in the browser and can also be self-hosted.