29/04/2026
Tired of AirDrop flakiness and cloud uploads for things that never should leave your LAN?
This is #94 in my "100 Open-Source Projects" series — LocalSend.
LocalSend is an offline-first, open-source app that lets you transfer files securely between phones, tablets, and computers on the same network — no accounts, no cloud, no ads.
Why I like it (and why teams should care)
- Zero configuration: install and share immediately. Great for fast, frictionless workflows.
- True cross-platform: Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS — one app across devices (built with Flutter).
- Privacy-first: end-to-end encrypted transfers using device-generated TLS certs, and no tracking.
- Works offline at full LAN/Wi‑Fi speed — ideal for large files or sensitive environments.
- Real-world traction: 8M+ downloads — people actually choose private, local-first tools.
- Used in security-critical contexts where data must never leave the local network.
When to pick LocalSend- You need fast, private ad-hoc transfers without cloud sync.
- Your org wants to avoid third-party cloud for sensitive files.
- You want a simple, self-hosted alternative to AirDrop/Drive/Dropbox for everyday sharing.
Want to help? The project welcomes contributions — Linux support, translations, and features like Bluetooth/Wi‑Fi Direct are actively sought. Even testing and feedback are useful.
Try it: localsend.org Code & contribute: https://github.com/localsend/localsend/localsend
Have you used LocalSend (or a similar offline tool)? What’s your go-to for quick secure file sharing — and what frustrates you most about it? Share below.