Sharing files between devices is easy thanks to cloud services, but becomes more difficult when you want an offline-first privacy-focused solution that also supports devices across different platforms.

However, LocalSend offers much of the convenience of solutions like AirDrop and Quick Share, without locking you into a specific ecosystem or even requiring an account.

What is LocalSend?

Privacy-focused file sharing across platforms

LocalSend is a cross-platform, open-source file-sharing application that you can use on Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS. The app uses your local network to share files without needing an internet connection, securing transfers with end-to-end encryption.

Your files don't need to go through a central server, so you don't have to worry about a company having access to your data. And since it works offline, you don't have to worry about issues like cloud network outages.

The service is incredibly easy to use and doesn't require you to sign up for an account. But one of its most valuable contributions is not locking you into a specific ecosystem. AirDrop is limited to Apple devices. Meanwhile, Quick Share works with Android devices (and Pixel 10 devices can share to iPhones), but sharing to Windows has limited privacy options when using the app without a Google Account.

What makes LocalSend so appealing

Powerful features, simple setup

LocalSend is incredibly simple to get started with, while still providing customizable and flexible features. Once you have the app installed and opened on your smartphone or computer, it will discover other devices with the app on your local network.

If you just want to share files between to computers connected to the same network, you can use the web app to transfer files. This doesn't even require an account or any kind of sign up, which makes it really convenient to use.

However, by installing the native app, you get access to more features. It can also discover devices which the web app doesn't currently support. But to be clear, the native apps do not require any account or sign up either.

Among LocalSend's handy features, there are tricks like saving devices as favorites and requiring a PIN for transfers.

While most people will think of file sharing as media and documents, you can also paste data straight from your clipboard and send plain text through the app. For example, if you want to send a screenshot from one PC to another, you don't have to save it separately — you can paste it straight from your clipboard into LocalSend.

Another interesting feature is that you can send APKs for installed apps from your Android phone. If you want to share files with someone on the same network that doesn't have LocalSend installed, you can also send the data via a link or QR code.

Limitations to keep in mind

There are some limitations, but tons of convenience

LocalSend isn't without its limitations, but I'd say it makes up for these with its cross-platform support and focus on privacy.

Once limitation is that LocalSend requires devices to be on the same network (Wi-Fi or Ethernet). This means it's not as convenient when you're out and about and need to share files between devices. However, you can get around this by creating a local network by using your phone as a mobile hotspot and connecting the devices to this network.

I tested this with two of my smartphones, disconnecting from my home network and using my primary phone's mobile data connection to create a hotspot. LocalSend was able to discover my other phone once it connected to my hotspot and I could send files between the phones. As an additional benefit, because LocalSend doesn't actually use the internet to send files, just the network connection, it didn't use up any of my mobile data.

Setting up a mobile hotspot is a bit less convenient than simply using AirDrop or Quick Share when it comes to devices on the same platform. However, it's incredibly convenient when it comes to sharing across platforms. I also like that it doesn't require an account.

Another thing to keep in mind is that while LocalSend works on all major platforms, you'll encounter limitations when it comes to certain smaller platforms, like NAS devices that limit what packages can be installed. For example, despite being built with Linux, the Synology NAS platform doesn't support LocalSend. There is also no Docker image available for the software, so you can't simply host its web UI in Container Manager.

Overall though, I was impressed with how much I could do with LocalSend despite minimal setup.

LocalSend may make you rely on the cloud less

There's still a place for cloud-based file sharing, especially if you want files to be available when specific devices are switched off or no longer connected to the network. But when it comes to sharing files between devices on the same network, LocalSend is a useful way to reduce your reliance on cloud services.

It's free, simple to use, and privacy-focused. I'd say you have nothing to lose by trying out the service for yourself. I'd also recommend looking at Syncthing if you're interested in privacy-focused peer-to-peer file syncing.