LocalSend: Multiple devices – shown on a table in a modern living room. The scene symbolizes secure, cross-platform, and private file transfer without the cloud. Made with Flux1.ai by Gary Owl.
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LocalSend: The Perfect Open-Source Solution for File Transfers – Simple, Secure, Cross-Platform

Discover How LocalSend Enables Fast, Private, and Cross-Platform File Transfers on Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS – Without the Cloud or Registration.

Home > Apps > LocalSend: The Open-Source Revolution for File Transfers

Introduction: The Search for the Perfect File Sharing Solution

Who hasn’t been there? You want to quickly exchange photos, videos, or documents between your phone, laptop, and tablet – and chaos ensues: Tired of AirDrop’s Apple limitations or slow, insecure cloud services? LocalSend offers a secure, cross-platform, open-source solution for lightning-fast file transfers without cloud storage, ads, or registration.

Published: May 13, 2025

What is LocalSend? Background and Development

LocalSend is a free, open-source app that enables file sharing between devices on the same local network – regardless of operating system. LocalSend was developed by an international team led by main developer Felix Blanke. The app is hosted on GitHub and supported by an active community with over 64,000 stars.

  • Available Platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, Fire OS
  • License: Apache 2.0
  • Technology: Dart/Flutter, REST APIs, HTTPS encryption

How LocalSend Works – Technology for Everyone

LocalSend works entirely offline: files are transferred directly over local Wi-Fi (or a hotspot) between devices. The app automatically discovers other LocalSend installations on the network and displays them with fun, randomly generated names (“Secret Avocado,” “Nice Peach”). Recommendation: For clear identification, it is better to use the name of the device already in use. e.g. iPhone 15 Gary

  • REST API & HTTPS: Communication is encrypted; every transfer remains private.
  • No Cloud, No Servers: Everything stays within your local network – no data ever leaves your home or office.
  • Cross-Platform: Works seamlessly between Android, iOS, Windows, macOS, Linux, and even Fire OS.
  • Flexible Operation: Transfer files, folders, text, media, and even clipboard content.
  • Share via Link or QR Code: Devices without the LocalSend app can receive files via a browser link.

Installation: LocalSend is available in all major app stores (Google Play, Apple App Store, F-Droid, Homebrew, Flathub, Winget, etc.) and is easy to install.

Strengths and Weaknesses: User Reviews Fact-Checked

What do users say? Here are the key strengths and weaknesses from over 6,500 reviews (average 4.7/5 stars):

Strengths

  • Fast, reliable transfers – even for large files (e.g., 480MB in under 30 seconds).
  • Simple setup and operation – no accounts, no ads, no nonsense.
  • Complete platform freedom – works on virtually all devices, including Android and iOS.
  • Open source & privacy – no data collection, no cloud, no hidden costs.
  • Folder transfer & structure preserved – transfer entire folders, including subfolders.
  • Link and QR code sharing – send files to devices without the LocalSend app via browser link.

Weaknesses

  • Both devices must be on the same network – no remote access without a VPN solution like Tailscale.
  • App must be active – background transfers are not always reliable, especially on iOS/Android.
  • Occasional performance issues – some users report slowdowns or failures with very large files (>2GB) or many small files.
  • File permissions & access issues – occasional problems, especially when transferring from Android to Windows/Mac.
  • No automatic startup on all platforms – on some systems, the app must be opened manually.

“I’ve tried many apps, but none were as seamless and cross-platform as LocalSend.” – Abolfazl Khademmellat, Google Play
“Finally, no ads, no cloud, no limits – just send files as it should be.” – Sharabh Dutt Tiwari, Google Play
“There are sometimes issues with files >2GB, but for everyday use it’s brilliant.” – Reddit user in r/selfhosted

Comparison: LocalSend vs. AirDrop, Quick Share & Alternatives

FeatureLocalSendAirDropQuick Share (Samsung/Android)SnapdropSyncthing
PlatformsWin, Mac, Linux, iOS, Android, Fire OSApple devicesSamsung/Android, WindowsBrowser-basedAll (Sync)
Open SourceYesNoNoYesYes
Cloud/Internet-FreeYesYesYesPartiallyYes
Link SharingYesNoNoYesNo
Folder TransferYesNoNoNoYes
EncryptionYes (HTTPS)YesYesNoYes
App RequiredNo (Link/QR)YesYesNoYes
Ads/CostsNoNoNoNoNo
Auto ReceiveOptional/FavoritesYesYesNoYes
Remote AccessWith VPNNoNoNoYes
User Ratings4.7/5 (Play Store)4.8/5 (App Store)4.6/5 (Galaxy Store)4.5/54.7/5

Real-World Test: LocalSend in Everyday Use

Scenario 1: Photos and Videos between iPhone, Android, and Windows PC

  • Transferring 120 photos (2.5MB each) in under a minute.
  • 480MB video from Android to iPhone: <30 seconds.
  • Entire folders with PDFs, images, and spreadsheets: structure is preserved.
  • Sharing via link to devices without the app: simply scan a QR code or open the link in a browser.

Scenario 2: Office & Family with Mixed Devices

  • No cloud, no registration – everyone can start immediately.
  • Even older devices (from Android 5, iOS 12, macOS 10.11, Windows 10) are supported.
  • Tip: For business use, configure the firewall (port 53317 TCP/UDP).

Scenario 3: Power Users & Tekkies

  • LocalSend can be installed via Homebrew, Flathub, Winget, F-Droid, APK, DMG, DEB, AppImage, Snap, and more.
  • Open-source community: pull requests, translations, and bug fixes are actively accepted.
  • For remote transfers: VPN solutions like Tailscale enable remote access.

Security & Privacy: Who Sees What?

LocalSend is built for privacy:

  • No cloud, no servers, no data collection: All transfers stay within your local network; no user data is collected or stored.
  • Encryption: Communication is via HTTPS with auto-generated certificates.
  • Open source: Source code is public; security holes are found and fixed quickly by the community.
  • Firewall configuration recommended: For maximum security, port 53317 should only be open to the local network.

“We do not collect, store, process, or use any personal or non-personal data.” – LocalSend Privacy Policy

Conclusion: Who Should Use LocalSend?

LocalSend is perfect for:

  • Tech enthusiasts who value privacy, open source, and platform independence.
  • Families, teams, and businesses with mixed device environments (Apple, Android, Windows, Linux).
  • Anyone seeking fast, straightforward file transfers without cloud or internet.
  • Power users who like to build their own workflows and automations (CLI, Homebrew, Flathub, etc.).

Less suitable for:

  • Users who regularly need to send files over the internet or to remote locations (VPN required here).
  • Those who rely on automatic background transfers without app interaction.

Community verdict: LocalSend is a “gamechanger” for local file transfers – fast, secure, cross-platform, and absolutely private. It’s a showcase for great open-source development and deserves more mainstream attention.

References

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Gary Owl
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