The LocalSend Insider’s Guide
Everything we know about LocalSend in one document: what it costs, its grades, getting a refund, getting help and what else to look at. Read it here, or keep a copy.
LocalSend
The Insider’s Guide
Open-source file sharing between nearby devices, no cloud
Every plan, grade, refund rule and rival among desktop utilities, read from LocalSend’s own pages.
Made by Tien Do Nam · checked Oct 6, 2026 · toolgpa.com
Contents
- 01WelcomeWhat it is, who it suits, its grades and the ten things to know first
- 02What it costsEvery plan, the free plan, ways to pay less and how prices have moved
- 03What it doesIts main features, where it runs, what it works with and who makes it
- 04Where it standsIts grades against its category, and whether to keep it or make your own
- 05The alternativesThe tools it is most often weighed against, side by side
- 06Quick answersThe questions people ask about it, each answered in a line or two
- 07About ToolGPAWho made this guide, what else is on the site, and how to cite it
ToolGPA put this guide together from LocalSend’s own pages, its app-store listings and our grades. Every fact in it is on LocalSend’s page too, where it is kept up to date. Checked Oct 6, 2026.
Part 01 · Overview
Welcome
What it is, who it suits, its grades and the ten things to know first
3.2
GPA, above 93 of the 94 other desktop utilities we grade
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.
To get you started, here are 8 things to know about LocalSend, taken from its own pages and our grades.
It's free, open source and runs on Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS and the web.
- 1
Best for sending files between nearby devices with no cloud
LocalSend sends files and text from one device to another over your local network, with no account and no cloud.
- 2
It is free
LocalSend has no paid plan at all. 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.
- 3
It runs on 6 platforms
Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS and Web.
- 4
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.
- 5
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.
- 6
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.
- 7
A 3.2 GPA, above 93 of 94
That is against the other desktop utilities we grade, on value, the free plan, features, ease of use and platforms.
- 8
Keep it
LocalSend is free, so making your own would save you nothing.
LocalSend at a glance
- Pricing
- Free
- Free plan
- Yes
- Free trial
- None stated
- Runs on
- Web, macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android
- Made by
- Tien Do Nam, since 2022
- Category
- Desktop Utilities
- Our grade
- 3.2 GPA, very good
- Store rating
- 4.5 on the App Store, 720 ratings
The report card
Best for sending files between nearby devices with no cloud
LocalSend sends files and text from one device to another over your local network, with no account and no cloud. It's free, open source and runs on Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS and the web. Both devices must be on the same network, it won't work over the internet, it doesn't update itself, and routers with AP isolation or a blocked port 53317 can stop devices finding each other.
| Subject | Grade | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Value for money | A | It costs nothing at all. Free and open source under the Apache License 2.0, a download anyone can run, and the site says there are no ads, no tracking and no hidden costs. Sponsors and donations pay for it. |
| Free plan and trial | A | The complete app is free on every platform, with no account, no bandwidth limits and no paid tier waiting further in. There's no cap you could reach. |
| Features | C | Sending files between two devices on one network is its whole job, and it does that job fully: any file type plus text, over HTTPS, with an optional PIN check, a browser app and a command line tool. It's a narrow job, and its own FAQ says it won't go over the internet. |
| Ease of use | B | 4.5 from 720 App Store ratings. Install it, open it, tap the nearby device, no account to make. One snag: devices may not find each other if your router has AP isolation on or a firewall blocks port 53317. |
| Platforms and integrations | B | Windows, macOS, Linux, Android and iOS, plus a web app for browsers. What keeps it off top marks is that it connects to nothing else: no integrations are listed, and the nearest thing to an API is the command line tool. |
An A is worth 4 points, a B 3, a C 2, a D 1 and an F nothing. The GPA is the average of the five.
Who LocalSend is for
- Fits if you move photos and files between a phone and a computer on the same Wi-Fi
- Works for homes and offices with a mix of Apple, Android, Windows and Linux devices
Who it is not for
- Skip it if the other person is across town, as it doesn't work over the internet
- Not for you if your devices are old, since it needs Android 7.0, iOS 13.0, macOS 11 or Windows 10 at least
- Tight if your router has AP isolation on or a firewall blocks port 53317, because devices may not find each other
- Watch out: the app doesn't update itself, so the project says to install it from an app store or a package manager
- Too light for hooking into other tools: no integrations are listed beyond its command line tool
Good to know
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.
Part 02 · Pricing
What it costs
Every plan, the free plan, ways to pay less and how prices have moved
Free
No paid plan at all
LocalSend is free to use.
The complete app is free on every platform, with no account, no bandwidth limits and no paid tier waiting further in.
LocalSend
$0
The complete app on every supported platform, with no account, no bandwidth limits and no paid tier.
The 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.
Read from localsend.org on Oct 6, 2026.
What the app costs elsewhere
Each country’s App Store price for “LocalSend Donation”, against $5.00 in the United States, in dollars at the day’s rate. The four cheapest and the four dearest of 11.
| Country | Price there | In dollars | Against the US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia | $5.00 | $3.49 | 30% less |
| Canada | $5.00 | $3.51 | 30% less |
| Philippines | ₱ 249.00 | $3.96 | 21% less |
| Brazil | R$ 20,00 | $4.00 | 20% less |
| Mexico | $89.00 | $4.89 | about the same |
| Germany | 5,00 € | $5.60 | 12% more |
| United Kingdom | £5.00 | $6.61 | 32% more |
| South Africa | R999.99 | $60.48 | 1110% more |
Part 03 · Features
What it does
Its main features, where it runs, what it works with and who makes it
6
Places it runs: Web, macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS and Android
Open-source file sharing between nearby devices, no cloud. Here is what it does, as its own site describes it, and what it covers: open source, works offline, end-to-end encrypted, file sharing.
It's a narrow job, and its own FAQ says it won't go over the internet.
- 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.
Where it runs
- Web
- macOS
- Windows
- Linux
- iOS
- Android
What it works with
Its own pages name no integrations.
Who makes LocalSend
LocalSend is an open-source app released under the Apache License 2.0, with no company behind it: the site's imprint names Tien Nam Do in Berlin as the person responsible. It charges nothing and takes money only through GitHub Sponsors, an in-app donation and a merchandise shop.
- Founded
- 2022localsend.org
- Based
- Berlin, Germanylocalsend.org
- Ownership
- Community project. An open-source project rather than a company: the site is published under the Apache License 2.0 and its imprint names a private individual, Tien Nam Do, as the provider. The home page counts more than 230 contributors.localsend.org
- Funding
- No funding is announced anywhere on the site. The donate page asks for recurring or one-off support through GitHub Sponsors or the in-app donation option, and the site also runs a merchandise shop.localsend.org
- Team
- No staff is stated; the home page counts more than 230 contributors to the projectlocalsend.org
- Founders and leaders
- Tien Nam Do, Named in the imprint as responsible for LocalSendlocalsend.org
Read on Oct 18, 2026 from the company’s own pages and from news reports. What is not stated there is left out.
Part 04 · Standing
Where it stands
Its grades against its category, and whether to keep it or make your own
93/94
Other desktop utilities it is graded above
LocalSend's GPA of 3.2 is higher than 93 of the 94 other desktop utilities we grade, and level with 1.
It stands best on free plan and trial (A, above 49 of 94) and worst on features (C, above 1).
LocalSend has no paid plan.
On features, ease of use and platforms it scores 2.7 out of 4, and no tool on the category's chart scores higher without costing more.
Each grade against the category
Every bar is all 95 desktop utilities we grade, cut by the letter each got. LocalSend’s own letter is outlined.
- AValue for moneyAbove 24 of 94
- AFree plan and trialAbove 49 of 94
- CFeaturesAbove 1 of 94
- BEase of useAbove 33 of 94
- BPlatforms and integrationsAbove 86 of 94
Price against what you get
Each dot is one of 55 desktop utilities. Further left costs less; higher up scores better on features, ease of use and platforms. LocalSend is the marked dot.
What paid plans start at, a month (each step along is roughly double) →
Keep it, or make your own?
Whether this is something you could build for yourself with an AI app builder, and what you would give up.
Keep it
LocalSend is free, so making your own would save you nothing.
And it is not the kind of software a weekend replaces. It is one of the better ones too: its GPA of 3.2 is higher than 93 of the 94 other desktop utilities we grade.
What you could not
- Storing and serving files for other people.
- Apps for macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS and Android that stay in step with each other.
- End-to-end encryption done properly.
What this rests on. LocalSend’s listing: what it does, where it runs, what it plugs into and what it costs. It is a judgement about the kind of software this is. We have not built a replacement for it, and making your own means looking after it too. How we decide, and every tool’s verdict.
Part 05 · Alternatives
The alternatives
The tools it is most often weighed against, side by side
Syncthing, WeTransfer and Dropzone
The 3 tools LocalSend is most often weighed against, with where each one differs from it.
- 2.6GPA
Syncthing
Free
Free, open source file sync directly between your own devices.
- Only LocalSend lists a web app.
- Only LocalSend lists Android and iOS apps.
- LocalSend is end-to-end encrypted, according to its own site.
- 2.6GPA
WeTransfer
Free plan · from $8/mo
Send large files by email or link without recipient sign-up.
- Only LocalSend lists Windows and Linux apps.
- LocalSend is open source and end-to-end encrypted, according to its own site.
- WeTransfer also covers documents and menu bar app.
- 2.6GPA
Dropzone
Free plan · from $4.99/mo
Drag-and-drop action grid and file shelf for the Mac menu bar.
- Only LocalSend lists a web app.
- Only LocalSend lists Windows, Linux, Android and iOS apps.
- LocalSend is open source and end-to-end encrypted, according to its own site.
Part 06 · Questions
Quick answers
The questions people ask about it, each answered in a line or two
12
Questions, each answered in a line or two
The short version of everything above, for when you only need the answer. Each one is told in full in its part of the guide.
Is LocalSend free?
Yes. LocalSend is free to use.
How much does LocalSend cost?
LocalSend lists one plan. LocalSend: $0.
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.
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 a company of the same name. An open-source project rather than a company: the site is published under the Apache License 2.0 and its imprint names a private individual, Tien Nam Do, as the provider.
What are the alternatives to LocalSend?
The closest alternatives to LocalSend in our directory are Syncthing, WeTransfer and Dropzone.
How does LocalSend compare with other desktop utilities?
LocalSend's GPA of 3.2 is higher than 93 of the 94 other desktop utilities we grade, and level with 1.
Is LocalSend good value for money?
ToolGPA grades LocalSend A for value for money. LocalSend has no paid plan.
Could I make my own version of LocalSend?
LocalSend is free, so making your own would save you nothing. And it is not the kind of software a weekend replaces.
Where this guide comes from
The prices, plans, platforms and features were read from LocalSend’s own pages on Oct 6, 2026, and the grades were given on Oct 10, 2026. Graded from this listing, whose facts were read from LocalSend's own pages on 6 October 2026, and its App Store rating. Also tested with a demo account on 2026-02-01.
Every tool we list gets five grades, A to F, each with its reason, and a GPA that averages them. How each is decided is at toolgpa.com/grades. This guide is ToolGPA’s own work; it is not made, paid for or approved by Tien Do Nam. Prices change, so check localsend.org before you buy.
Part 07 · About
About ToolGPA
Who made this guide, what else is on the site, and how to cite it
3,189
Tools graded, in 94 categories
ToolGPA grades software the way a school report grades a pupil: five subjects, a letter for each with the reason written beside it, and a GPA that averages them. Prices, plans and platforms are read from each maker’s own pages and dated, so you always know how fresh a figure is.
Every grade, review and ranking on ToolGPA is our own judgement. No company can pay for a grade or change one. Every tool on the site has a guide like this one, free to download and pass on. It all lives at toolgpa.com.
3,189
tools graded
94
categories
426
price changes on record
579
apps priced in 12 countries
What else is on toolgpa.com
- LocalSend, kept up to dateEverything in this guide, with prices and grades as they are todaytoolgpa.com/tools/localsend
- How grades are givenThe rules behind every letter and every GPAtoolgpa.com/grades
- Value chartsWhat each tool costs against what it scores, for every categorytoolgpa.com/charts
- CompareAny two tools side by side, plan by plantoolgpa.com/compare
- Price changesEvery price rise and cut on record, each with its sourcetoolgpa.com/price-changes
- Prices by countryWhat apps cost on the App Store in 12 countriestoolgpa.com/prices-by-country
- Pay lessEvery public discount: yearly billing, students, nonprofitstoolgpa.com/save
- Keep or makeWhich tools are worth paying for, and which you could build yourselftoolgpa.com/keep-or-make
Scan for the live page
Prices and grades as they are today
Quoting this guide?
Please name ToolGPA and link to the live page, so readers can check the figures for themselves:
ToolGPA, "LocalSend: The Insider's Guide", checked Oct 6, 2026. https://toolgpa.com/tools/localsend
Know someone choosing between desktop utilities?
Send them this guide: toolgpa.com/tools/localsend/guide
ToolGPA elsewhere: youtube.com/@toolgpa
See our other guides
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- Desktop Utilities Insider's GuideEvery one of the 95 desktop utilities we grade, compared
- Ninite Insider's GuideInstalls and updates many Windows apps at once3.2 GPA
- 7-Zip Insider's GuideFree, open-source file archiver with the 7z format3.0 GPA
- BleachBit Insider's GuideFree, open-source disk cleaner for Windows and Linux3.0 GPA
Choosing software? Every tool graded, every price dated.
Compare tools at toolgpa.com ›Everything in this guide is ToolGPA’s own summary of what LocalSend’s pages, its app-store listings and public reviews said on the dates shown. Grades are our judgement under the rules at toolgpa.com/grades. Every grade, review and ranking on ToolGPA is our own judgement. No company can pay for a grade or change one. LocalSend is a trademark of its owner, and this guide is not made, paid for or approved by Tien Do Nam. Prices and plans change: check localsend.org before you buy.