Free and Open Source Alternative to Airdrop

This page summarizes the projects mentioned and recommended in the original post on news.ycombinator.com

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  • localsend

    An open-source cross-platform alternative to AirDrop

  • I've tried a lot of similar tools for sending files between devices in local area network and found that https://localsend.org works best. Yes, it requires an application installation, but the transfers are much more faster and reliable when browser is not involved. And its Android application works nicely on Google TV/Android TV, so I can send files there easily.

  • sharedrop

    Easy P2P file transfer powered by WebRTC - inspired by Apple AirDrop

  • SurveyJS

    Open-Source JSON Form Builder to Create Dynamic Forms Right in Your App. With SurveyJS form UI libraries, you can build and style forms in a fully-integrated drag & drop form builder, render them in your JS app, and store form submission data in any backend, inc. PHP, ASP.NET Core, and Node.js.

    SurveyJS logo
  • snapdrop

    A Progressive Web App for local file sharing

  • similar: I have been using https://snapdrop.net/ for a few years now.

  • opendrop

    An open Apple AirDrop implementation written in Python

  • Would be cool if we sometime would get https://github.com/seemoo-lab/opendrop as an android app (but it would only work with rooted devices). This would allow to send and recieve files to iPhones from android via Apples Airdrop protocol.

  • syncthing-android

    Wrapper of syncthing for Android.

  • Do consider Syncthing particularly if you are using Android. If using apple iOS you'd need the möbius sync client.

    https://syncthing.net/

    https://www.mobiussync.com/

    One thing that it beats the cloud / centralized sync on is because the connection is direct between devices when the initial transfer is completed the file is completely there on the other device. With a cloud type of sync you do the transfer twice. I've seen stack up on large media or with the structure of cloud services pricing making it expensive depending on how your workflow is setup with inside and outside parties. For example, Dropbox deduction from all parties' storage limits not just the sharer.

    You can also point Syncthing at a local sync of Dropbox or Google drive and then forward the files to other recipients from that for some purposes.

  • FlyingCarpet

    Cross-platform AirDrop. File transfer between Android, iOS, Linux, macOS, and Windows over ad hoc WiFi. No network infrastructure required, just two devices with WiFi chips in close range.

NOTE: The number of mentions on this list indicates mentions on common posts plus user suggested alternatives. Hence, a higher number means a more popular project.

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