Moving a 400MB video from the laptop to the phone should not require a Google Drive upload and a re-download. AirDrop solved this for Apple devices in 2011, and the rest of the ecosystem is finally catching up: peer-to-peer tools that discover each other over the LAN, encrypt in transit, and skip the cloud entirely. We tested eight desktop apps that transfer files across mixed Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS setups, and ranked them on setup effort, transfer speed, and how well they handle files that a phone cannot open (large archives, executables, code repositories).
The list mixes LAN-only peers with tools that can also transfer over the internet using a rendezvous server or a wormhole.
What to look for in a cross-device transfer app
The features that separate a useful transfer tool from a novelty:
- Peer discovery. Auto-detect other running instances on the LAN, no manual IP entry.
- Encryption in transit. TLS or an equivalent. Not “trust the LAN.”
- Cross-platform reach. Windows and macOS and Linux at minimum. Android and iOS clients if the phone side matters.
- No account required. The best of these tools do not ask for an email address.
- Folder transfers. Not just single files. Some transfer apps miss this.
- Resume on interruption. A dropped Wi-Fi should not restart a 4GB transfer from zero.
Quick comparison
| App | Discovery | Cross-platform | Internet transfer | Free plan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LocalSend | LAN mDNS | Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS | No | Full app, free |
| Snapdrop | LAN via browser | Any browser | No | Free |
| PairDrop | LAN via browser | Any browser | Optional pair | Free |
| Warpinator | LAN mDNS | Linux, Android (Windows port) | No | Free |
| Croc | Relay server | Windows, macOS, Linux | Yes | Free |
| Syncthing | Global discovery | Windows, macOS, Linux, Android | Yes | Free |
| KDE Connect | LAN mDNS | Linux, Windows, macOS, Android | No | Free |
| Magic Wormhole | Rendezvous relay | Windows, macOS, Linux | Yes | Free |
1. LocalSend — Best for the AirDrop-style default
LocalSend is the tool most people install first once they discover this category. Native apps for Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS auto-discover each other over the LAN, transfers are end-to-end encrypted, and the UI is a one-click send with an optional confirmation on the receiving side. Files, folders, and clipboard text all work.
Where it falls short: LAN only. No relay for transfers across networks.
Pricing:
- Free and open source under an MIT license.
Download: localsend.org
Bottom line: the default cross-device transfer app for a mixed-platform household.
2. Snapdrop — Best for a browser-based zero-install option
Snapdrop is the LAN transfer tool that runs entirely in a browser. Open snapdrop.net on two devices on the same network, drag a file, done. Nothing to install, works on any OS with a modern browser including iOS Safari.
Where it falls short: transfers pass through a public server for signaling (the file itself is peer-to-peer). Limited to browser tab lifetimes.
Pricing:
- Free and open source.
Download: snapdrop.net
Bottom line: the pick when installing an app is not an option.
3. PairDrop — Best for a Snapdrop fork with pairing over the internet
PairDrop is the Snapdrop derivative that added a pairing feature: two devices that share a temporary code can transfer across different networks, not just the same LAN. Everything else about Snapdrop’s zero-install browser model carries over.
Where it falls short: the internet transfer path uses a public signaling server. Not fully self-hostable without the pairing endpoint.
Pricing:
- Free and open source under a GPL license.
Download: pairdrop.net
Bottom line: the pick for browser-based transfers that occasionally need to cross networks.
4. Warpinator — Best for Linux-first LAN transfers
Warpinator was born on Linux Mint and has grown into the go-to LAN transfer tool for Linux users. It uses mDNS for discovery, gRPC for transfer, and encrypts with TLS. An Android app extends it to phones, and community Windows and macOS ports exist.
Where it falls short: the Windows and macOS ports are community-maintained. Official support is Linux only.
Pricing:
- Free and open source under a GPL license.
Download: github.com/linuxmint/warpinator
Bottom line: the fit on a Linux-heavy setup that occasionally sends to Android.
5. Croc — Best for transfers over the internet with no account
Croc is the CLI tool for sending files across the internet with end-to-end encryption and no signup. Both sides run croc send <file> and croc <code>, and the transfer completes over a relay when direct connection fails. Works between Windows, macOS, and Linux.
Where it falls short: CLI only, no GUI. Best for people already comfortable in a terminal.
Pricing:
- Free and open source under an MIT license.
Download: github.com/schollz/croc
Bottom line: the pick for developers who move files across machines from the command line.
6. Syncthing — Best for continuous folder sync between devices
Syncthing is the peer-to-peer file synchronization tool that runs a background service on every device and keeps chosen folders in sync. It is not a one-off transfer tool, it is a persistent replica across devices with conflict handling, encryption, and versioning.
Where it falls short: overkill for one-off transfers. Initial setup takes a config pass to add each device.
Pricing:
- Free and open source under an MPL license.
Download: syncthing.net
Bottom line: the fit when the goal is “keep this folder identical across all my devices” rather than “send this one file.”
7. KDE Connect — Best for Linux-plus-Android integration
KDE Connect covers file transfer as one feature among many: clipboard sync, notifications, remote input, and file send from the phone’s share menu directly to the desktop. It runs on all three desktops and Android, with an iOS client that covers a subset.
Where it falls short: the file transfer piece is one of several features. Not a specialized tool.
Pricing:
- Free and open source under a GPL license.
Download: kdeconnect.kde.org
Bottom line: the pick when a phone-to-desktop integration is the primary use case and file transfer is one of several needs.
8. Magic Wormhole — Best for a code-based internet transfer
Magic Wormhole is the CLI transfer tool that uses a rendezvous server to introduce two peers and then negotiates a direct connection with a short human-readable code. Everything is end-to-end encrypted, and the codes expire quickly.
Where it falls short: CLI only, no persistent identity. Every transfer needs a new code exchange.
Pricing:
- Free and open source under an MIT license.
Download: magic-wormhole.readthedocs.io
Bottom line: the alternative to Croc when the short-code exchange style is preferred.
How to pick the right one
For a mixed-platform household with phones in the mix, install LocalSend and stop looking. For a zero-install option in a browser, Snapdrop covers same-network, PairDrop crosses networks. On a Linux setup, Warpinator is the native pick. For internet transfers from the command line, Croc or Magic Wormhole. For continuous sync across devices, Syncthing. On a KDE plus Android setup, KDE Connect covers file transfer as one feature of a broader integration.
FAQ
What is the best free cross-device transfer app?
LocalSend for a GUI app that covers every OS. Croc or Magic Wormhole for CLI internet transfers. Snapdrop for a browser-based zero-install option.
Are these transfers encrypted?
Yes on every tool listed. LocalSend, Warpinator, KDE Connect use TLS on the LAN. Croc and Magic Wormhole use end-to-end encryption over the internet. Syncthing uses TLS with device certificates.
Can I transfer files from an iPhone with these apps?
LocalSend and Snapdrop have iOS clients or work in Safari. PairDrop works in Safari too. KDE Connect has an iOS client with a subset of features.
How fast are these transfers?
LAN transfers over Wi-Fi 6 or Ethernet routinely saturate the network link. Internet transfers depend on the relay server and both peers’ upload bandwidth.
Do I need an account to use any of these?
No. Every tool on this list works without creating an account or providing an email address.
