LocalSend vs Syncthing

LocalSend

• Moving files between a phone and a computer on the same Wi-Fi
• Homes and offices that mix Apple, Android, Windows and Linux devices
• People who do not want their files to pass through a cloud service

Syncthing

• Syncing folders between your own computers without a cloud provider
• Privacy-minded users who want open source software
• Keeping a desktop in sync with a home server for backup

LocalSend

• Both devices must be on the same local network; the FAQ says it does not work over the internet.
• The app has no auto-update, so the project recommends installing it from an app store or a package manager.
• Devices may not find each other when a router has AP isolation enabled or a firewall blocks port 53317.
• Minimum versions are Android 7.0, iOS 13.0, macOS 11 Big Sur and Windows 10.

Syncthing

• There is no cloud storage: files live only on your devices, and devices exchange data only when they are online at the same time.
• The Syncthing team says it has no plans to officially support iOS; a separate open source iOS app incorporates Syncthing.
• The base download is a command-line daemon with a web interface. Tray icons and file browser integration come from separate downloads.
• Support is through the community forum; commercial support is sold by a separate company, Kastelo.

LocalSend

Transfers over the local network

Sends files to a nearby device over the local Wi-Fi network, with no internet connection, account or external server. The site says data never leaves the local network.

Encrypted transfers

All data is sent over HTTPS using a TLS certificate generated on each device, and PIN verification can be turned on for extra protection.

Files of any type, plus text

Photos, videos, documents and text can be sent, and any file type is accepted. Received files go to the Downloads folder by default, which can be changed in settings.

Apps for desktop and mobile

Available for Windows, macOS, Linux, Android and iOS through app stores and package managers such as Winget, Homebrew, Flathub and F-Droid.

LocalSend Web

A web app at web.localsend.org shares files between a browser and other devices that are running LocalSend.

Command line interface

localsend-cli sends files, folders or text from a terminal, to a device picked from the discovered list or named by its alias or IP address.

Syncthing

Continuous synchronization

Folders are kept in sync between two or more computers in real time. You can sync as many folders as you need, with other people or only between your own devices.

No central server

Data is never stored anywhere other than on your own computers, so there is no cloud account or third-party server holding the files.

Encrypted, authenticated connections

All communication is secured with TLS and perfect forward secrecy. Each device has a cryptographic certificate, and only devices you explicitly allow can connect.

Browser-based interface

Syncthing is configured and monitored through a responsive web interface served by the program and opened in a browser.

Works over LAN and Internet

Devices find each other by ID without IP addresses or advanced configuration. UPnP is used where available, and relays carry traffic when no direct connection is possible.

Open protocol and source

The sync protocol is a documented specification and all source code is public, with development and bug reports open for anyone to read.

LocalSend

• LocalSend$0

  The complete app on every supported platform, with no account, no bandwidth limits and no paid tier.

Syncthing

• SyncthingFree

  The full program for every supported operating system, with source code available on GitHub.