LocalSend vs Synergy

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

Synergy

• Desks with a Windows PC, a Mac and a Linux machine side by side
• Developers and IT staff working across several computers at once
• Individuals who want a one-time payment and no subscription

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.

Synergy

• Personal licenses have no free trial, only a 30-day money-back guarantee; the 14-day trial is for Business plans.
• Lite covers 3 computers and has no TLS/SSL encryption or hotkeys. Plus allows 5 computers and Max allows 15.
• All computers must be on the same local network and each needs its own screen, because Synergy does not share video.
• A Business license is required when a company pays for, reimburses or deploys Synergy, and Business editions send a daily usage report.

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.

Synergy

Shared keyboard and mouse

Move the pointer off the edge of one screen to control the next computer with the same keyboard, mouse or trackpad, without a hardware KVM switch or its switching delay.

Clipboard sharing

Copy text or an image on one computer, move the pointer to another and paste it there.

TLS/SSL encryption

Encrypts the keystrokes and clipboard data sent between computers over the local network. It is included from the Plus tier upward, not in Lite.

Hotkeys and key swapping

Shortcuts switch between computers or send keystrokes to another machine, and the Windows and Command keys can swap automatically when moving between Windows and Mac.

Auto-config and discovery

Synergy 3 has an interface rebuilt from the ground up with automatic configuration and discovery of computers, and a screen layout for arranging them.

Business controls

Business licenses add policy-based settings, centralized configuration, challenge-based offline activation for air-gapped networks and priority support.

LocalSend

• LocalSend$0

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

Synergy

• Synergy 3 Lite$15

  one-time payment

  Personal license to control up to 3 computers on a local network, with copy and paste between them. No TLS/SSL encryption or hotkeys.

• Synergy 3 Plus$19

  one-time payment

  Up to 5 computers, adding TLS/SSL network encryption and keyboard shortcuts to switch computers or send keystrokes to another one.

• Synergy 3 Max$29

  one-time payment

  Everything in Plus for up to 15 computers.

• Synergy Business Essential$90

  per year, priced per seat

  Unlimited computers, priority support with a 4-hour SLA, offline air-gapped activation and invoicing. Includes Synergy 1 and Synergy 3.

• Synergy Business Advanced$190

  per seat / year

  Adds policy-based controls, centralized configuration and deployment support, and custom LTS and legacy operating system support.

• Synergy EnterpriseCustom

  Keyless offline deployment, zero telemetry, bespoke builds, site and volume licensing and a custom SLA. Priced through sales.

LocalSend

No public discounts listed.

Synergy

• Other savings

  25% off for newsletter subscribers

  The Synergy homepage offers 25% off Synergy to people who subscribe to its newsletter, with the discount sent by email.