croc vs LocalSend
A side-by-side comparison of two self-hosted file sync & storage options — licensing, setup difficulty, resource needs, and what each one replaces.
LocalSend
Share files to nearby devices without the internet
| Feature | croc | LocalSend |
|---|---|---|
| Deploy effort | Read-the-docs project | Read-the-docs project |
| Health score | 99 · Excellent | 100 · Excellent |
| Category | File Sync & Storage | File Sync & Storage |
| License | MIT | MIT |
| Language | Go | Dart |
| Setup difficulty | Easy | Easy |
| Min. RAM | 32 MB | 128 MB |
| Deployment | binary | binary |
| GitHub stars | ★ 40,431 | ★ 92,563 |
| First released | 2018 | 2022 |
| Replaces | WeTransfer, AirDrop | AirDrop |
What are croc and LocalSend?
croc
croc is a tool that allows two computers to transfer files and folders simply and securely. It uses a relay with end-to-end encryption and a code-phrase system for pairing.
- End-to-end encrypted transfers
- Code-phrase pairing
- Self-hostable relay server
LocalSend
LocalSend is a cross-platform app to share files and messages between devices on a local network. It uses a secure REST API and works without an internet connection or central server.
- No internet required
- Encrypted local transfer
- Available on all major platforms
croc vs LocalSend: key differences
Croc is written in Go, while LocalSend is built with Dart. Croc is the lighter option, starting around 32 MB of RAM against 128 MB for LocalSend. Croc is the more established project (first released 2018), while LocalSend arrived in 2022. LocalSend has the considerably larger community, at 92,563 GitHub stars versus 40,431.
Why pick each one
Choose croc if…
- Simple code-phrase pairing
- End-to-end encrypted
- Resumable transfers
Watch out for
- CLI only
- Public relay by default
Choose LocalSend if…
- No internet required
- Cross-platform with mobile apps
- AirDrop-like simplicity
Watch out for
- Devices must share network
- No remote transfers
Frequently asked questions
Is croc or LocalSend better?
Neither is universally better. LocalSend has the larger community; both share a easy setup difficulty, so the decision comes down to features and licensing.
Are croc and LocalSend free and open-source?
Yes. croc is licensed under MIT and LocalSend under MIT. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run croc and LocalSend with Docker?
croc: check the project docs for container support. LocalSend: check the project docs for container support.
Which is lighter on resources, croc or LocalSend?
croc has the smaller minimum footprint at 32 MB of RAM, compared to about 128 MB for LocalSend. Real-world usage depends on library size, user count, and enabled features.