SHSelfHostIndex

qrcp 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.

Not the right match-up?
QR qrcp Transfer files to and from phones by scanning a QR code VS Snapdrop Local file sharing in your browser, inspired by AirDrop
FeatureqrcpSnapdrop
Deploy effortRead-the-docs projectUnder-an-hour setup
Health score70 · Good33 · At risk
CategoryFile Sync & StorageFile Sync & Storage
LicenseMITGPL-3.0
LanguageGoJavaScript
Setup difficultyEasyEasy
Min. RAM64 MB64 MB
Deploymentbinary, bare-metaldocker, bare-metal
GitHub stars★ 10,512★ 19,734
First released20182017
ReplacesAirDrop, SnapdropAirDrop

What are qrcp and Snapdrop?

qrcp

qrcp is a command-line tool that transfers files over WiFi by generating a QR code that points to a temporary local web server. Scanning the code with a phone downloads or uploads files without any app or cable.

  • QR-code based transfers
  • Send and receive files
  • Single static binary
  • No mobile app required

Read the full qrcp guide →

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

Read the full Snapdrop guide →

qrcp vs Snapdrop: key differences

Qrcp is written in Go, while Snapdrop is built with JavaScript. Licensing differs — MIT for qrcp versus GPL-3.0 for Snapdrop. Snapdrop lists first-class Docker deployment; qrcp does not.

Why pick each one

Choose qrcp if…

  • Instant phone transfers
  • Zero configuration

Watch out for

  • Same-network requirement
  • CLI only
qrcp details

Choose Snapdrop if…

  • No installation needed
  • Direct WebRTC transfers
  • Dead simple to use

Watch out for

  • Same network only
  • Development largely inactive
Snapdrop details

Frequently asked questions

Is qrcp or Snapdrop better?

Neither is universally better. Snapdrop has the larger community; both share a easy setup difficulty, so the decision comes down to features and licensing.

Are qrcp and Snapdrop free and open-source?

Yes. qrcp is licensed under MIT and Snapdrop under GPL-3.0. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.

Can I run qrcp and Snapdrop with Docker?

qrcp: check the project docs for container support. Snapdrop: yes.

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