ShareDrop 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.
Snapdrop
Local file sharing in your browser, inspired by AirDrop
| Feature | ShareDrop | Snapdrop |
|---|---|---|
| Deploy effort | Under-an-hour setup | Under-an-hour setup |
| Health score | 30 · At risk | 33 · At risk |
| Category | File Sync & Storage | File Sync & Storage |
| License | MIT | GPL-3.0 |
| Language | JavaScript | JavaScript |
| Setup difficulty | Easy | Easy |
| Min. RAM | 64 MB | 64 MB |
| Deployment | docker, bare-metal | docker, bare-metal |
| GitHub stars | ★ 10,753 | ★ 19,734 |
| First released | 2014 | 2017 |
| Replaces | AirDrop, WeTransfer | AirDrop |
What are ShareDrop and Snapdrop?
ShareDrop
ShareDrop is a browser-based peer-to-peer file sharing app using WebRTC. It lets devices on the same network exchange files directly without uploading to a server.
- WebRTC peer-to-peer transfer
- No server-side storage
- Works across local networks
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
ShareDrop vs Snapdrop: key differences
Both projects are written in JavaScript. Licensing differs — MIT for ShareDrop versus GPL-3.0 for Snapdrop. ShareDrop is the more established project (first released 2014), while Snapdrop arrived in 2017.
Why pick each one
Choose ShareDrop if…
- Released under the MIT license
- Easy to set up — beginner-friendly
- First-class Docker support for quick deployment
- Mature project with 10.8k GitHub stars
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 ShareDrop 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 ShareDrop and Snapdrop free and open-source?
Yes. ShareDrop is licensed under MIT and Snapdrop under GPL-3.0. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run ShareDrop and Snapdrop with Docker?
ShareDrop: yes. Snapdrop: yes.