LocalSend vs Snapdrop
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
VS
Snapdrop
Local file sharing in your browser, inspired by AirDrop
| Feature | LocalSend | Snapdrop |
|---|---|---|
| Deploy effort | Read-the-docs project | Under-an-hour setup |
| Health score | 100 · Excellent | 33 · At risk |
| Category | File Sync & Storage | File Sync & Storage |
| License | MIT | GPL-3.0 |
| Language | Dart | JavaScript |
| Setup difficulty | Easy | Easy |
| Min. RAM | 128 MB | 64 MB |
| Deployment | binary | docker, bare-metal |
| GitHub stars | ★ 92,563 | ★ 19,734 |
| First released | 2022 | 2017 |
| Replaces | AirDrop | AirDrop |
What are LocalSend and Snapdrop?
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
Snapdrop
Snapdrop is a progressive web app for sharing files between devices on the same local network. It uses WebRTC for direct device-to-device transfer with no installation required.
- AirDrop-style local sharing
- Progressive web app
- No setup on client devices
LocalSend vs Snapdrop: key differences
LocalSend is written in Dart, while Snapdrop is built with JavaScript. Licensing differs — MIT for LocalSend versus GPL-3.0 for Snapdrop. Snapdrop is the lighter option, starting around 64 MB of RAM against 128 MB for LocalSend. Snapdrop is the more established project (first released 2017), while LocalSend arrived in 2022. LocalSend has the considerably larger community, at 92,563 GitHub stars versus 19,734. Snapdrop lists first-class Docker deployment; LocalSend does not.
Why pick each one
Choose LocalSend if…
- No internet required
- Cross-platform with mobile apps
- AirDrop-like simplicity
Watch out for
- Devices must share network
- No remote transfers
Choose Snapdrop if…
- No installation needed
- Direct WebRTC transfers
- Dead simple to use
Watch out for
- Same network only
- Development largely inactive
Frequently asked questions
Is LocalSend or Snapdrop 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 LocalSend and Snapdrop free and open-source?
Yes. LocalSend is licensed under MIT and Snapdrop under GPL-3.0. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run LocalSend and Snapdrop with Docker?
LocalSend: check the project docs for container support. Snapdrop: yes.
Which is lighter on resources, LocalSend or Snapdrop?
Snapdrop has the smaller minimum footprint at 64 MB of RAM, compared to about 128 MB for LocalSend. Real-world usage depends on library size, user count, and enabled features.