LocalSend
Open-source file sharing between nearby devices, no cloud
What is LocalSend?
LocalSend is a free, open-source app for sending files and text between devices on the same local network. Transfers go directly from one device to the other over HTTPS, with no account, no internet connection and no third-party server involved. Apps are available for Windows, macOS, Linux, Android and iOS, and a web app lets a browser exchange files with devices running LocalSend.
LocalSend is free to use. See every plan
Good for
- 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
Worth knowing
- 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.
Key features
- 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.
LocalSend pricing
- Starts at
- Free
- Free plan
- Free and open source under the Apache License 2.0. The site states there are no ads, no tracking and no hidden costs; development is funded by sponsors and donations.
- Free trial
- None listed
| Plan | Price | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| LocalSend | $0 | The complete app on every supported platform, with no account, no bandwidth limits and no paid tier. |
Read from localsend.org on Oct 6, 2026. Prices change, so confirm with LocalSend before you buy.
How people rate the LocalSend app
4.5
out of 5 for the iPhone and iPad app
720 ratings on the App Store in the United States, read Oct 6, 2026. It rates the app, not everything the product does. See the listing
LocalSend alternatives
- LocalSend vs WeTransfer
Free plan · from $8/mo
- LocalSend vs Dropzone
Free plan · from $4.99/mo
Common questions
Is LocalSend free?
Yes. LocalSend is free to use. Free and open source under the Apache License 2.0. The site states there are no ads, no tracking and no hidden costs; development is funded by sponsors and donations.
How much does LocalSend cost?
LocalSend lists one plan. LocalSend: $0. Prices were read from localsend.org on Oct 6, 2026.
What platforms does LocalSend work on?
LocalSend is available on Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS and Web.
How is LocalSend rated?
LocalSend's iPhone and iPad app averages 4.5 out of 5 from 720 ratings on the App Store in the United States, as read on Oct 6, 2026. That is the store's rating of the app, not a score from us.
Is LocalSend open source?
Yes. LocalSend is open source, according to its own site.
Is LocalSend end-to-end encrypted?
LocalSend describes itself as end-to-end encrypted on its own site. Nobody here has audited that.
Does LocalSend work offline?
Yes, according to its own site. What works without a connection differs by plan and platform, so check the vendor's page for the detail.
Who makes LocalSend?
LocalSend is made by Tien Do Nam. It dates from 2022.
What are the alternatives to LocalSend?
The closest alternatives to LocalSend in our directory are Syncthing, WeTransfer and Dropzone. Each one has a side-by-side comparison with LocalSend.
Sources for this page
The prices, plans, platforms and features above were read from these pages on Oct 6, 2026. What people say is linked where it appears.