LocalSend is one of the best free ways to move files between your own devices, as long as they share a network and each has the app. As of October 2026 it doesn't work over the internet, so when the other device is somewhere else you need a LocalSend alternative that does. Beamaroo runs in the browser on both devices, pairs them with a one-time code and sends files directly, encrypted, with nothing uploaded or stored. PairDrop, KDE Connect, Warpinator and Taildrop are compared below too, and for big transfers on one network LocalSend is still the better tool.
Beamaroo vs LocalSend
An honest, side-by-side look — including where they beat us.
| Feature | Beamaroo | LocalSend |
|---|---|---|
| Install needed | Nothing: it's a web page | The app on both, apart from its same-network share links |
| Devices on different networks | Yes, paired by code over the internet | No: 'Does it work over the internet? No.' (its FAQ, October 2026) |
| Works with no internet at all | No, both devices must be online | Yes, it only needs the local network |
| Encryption | WebRTC DTLS, end to end | HTTPS with per-device certificates (can be switched off) |
| Checking it's the right device | Code words verified over the encrypted connection | Optional PIN, plus a Verify screen (v1.18) to compare fingerprints by eye |
| Proof of delivery | Receipt once the other device has checked every file | Checksums checked on arrival, on by default since v1.18.0 |
| Folders | Not yet: zip first | Yes |
| Several recipients at once | No: one code, one receiver | Yes, 'Multiple recipients' mode |
| Multi-gigabyte files | Limited by memory: phones a few hundred MB, computers about 1–2 GB | Writes straight to disk, so the better choice on one network |
| Phone screen off mid-transfer | Keep it on; there's no resume | Fine on Android (v1.18.0+); on iPhone the app must stay in the foreground |
| Open source | No | Yes, Apache-2.0 |
Why LocalSend can't reach a device on a different network
LocalSend is built for one local network, and says so. Its FAQ answers 'Does it work over the internet?' with 'No. LocalSend uses your local WiFi network to transfer files.' Devices find each other by multicast on the local network (224.0.0.167, port 53317), and none of that reaches past your router.
So it can't help when one device is on mobile data, or the person you're sending to is across town. It also trips over networks that only look shared: guest Wi-Fi with AP isolation, a VPN blocking local traffic, an office network split into subnets. If both devices are on the same network and still can't see each other, try our LocalSend troubleshooting checklist.
LocalSend's code does include WebRTC support, merged in July 2025, but the apps ship with it switched off. Internet transfers may come later; this page reflects October 2026.
LocalSend Web vs Beamaroo
LocalSend Web is the project's browser app. It uses WebRTC, like Beamaroo, and supports a PIN, but as of October 2026 its own screen says 'Only devices in the same network are shown.' and 'Support for the native app will be added in a future version.' So it can't reach another network, or a device running the LocalSend app.
Beamaroo skips discovery. The receiver types the sender's code (like beam-7-otter-quartz) or scans its QR code, and the browsers connect across networks. Both devices then prove they hold the same code words over the encrypted connection, so a wrong code fails and is burnt. The sender gets 'Delivered — verified on their device' once every file checks out. Here's how the pairing works.
Other LocalSend alternatives: PairDrop, KDE Connect, Warpinator and Taildrop
Apps like LocalSend split into browser tools you don't install and apps you set up on each device. Snapdrop, often listed next to them, now runs through LimeWire: snapdrop.net says files go to LimeWire storage instead of straight across, so the devices no longer need to be online together. More on our Snapdrop alternatives page.
| Tool | Install | Across networks? | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beamaroo | Nothing | Yes, by one-time code | Not open source; size limited by the receiving device's memory |
| PairDrop | Nothing | Yes, via pairing or public rooms | Open source and self-hostable; finds devices on the same Wi-Fi automatically; refuses sends of 200 MB or more to an iPhone |
| KDE Connect | App on both | Same network or a VPN | Open source; clipboard, notifications, remote input; limited on iPhone |
| Warpinator | App on both | No | Linux Mint's own LAN sharer, handy between Linux machines; unofficial Android and Windows ports, no iPhone app from Mint |
| Taildrop | Tailscale on both | Yes, between your own devices | In alpha, and has to be switched on for your tailnet |
PairDrop: the closest match
PairDrop runs in the browser, finds devices on the same network by itself, and reaches others over the internet through pairing or public rooms, relaying via its own TURN server when needed. It's open source and self-hostable. Its FAQ notes you still 'have to trust the PairDrop server', though it does derive a 16-digit security number you can compare by eye, tucked into a tooltip on the receiving screen. It also refuses sends of 200 MB or more to an iPhone. Beamaroo checks its single-use code against the encrypted connection automatically and adds a delivery receipt. See our PairDrop alternative page.
KDE Connect and Taildrop
KDE Connect is a phone-and-computer bridge (clipboard, notifications, remote input) with file sharing on the side. It needs both devices on one network (or a VPN) and ports 1714–1764 open, and its iPhone app drops the connection when it isn't on screen; our iPhone to Linux guide covers it in detail. Taildrop sends files between your own devices anywhere once both run Tailscale and Taildrop is switched on for your tailnet, but not to other people's devices.
How to send without LocalSend, in three steps
It's the same on iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, Linux and Chromebook, in either direction, on the same network or different ones:
- Open beamaroo.com on the sending device, add your files and tap Get a code.
- Share the code (like beam-7-otter-quartz) by voice or text, or let them scan the QR code.
- They open beamaroo.com, enter the code and tap Accept. Keep both screens on until the sender sees 'Delivered — verified on their device'.
Delivery receipt built in. Every file is hash-checked on the receiving device over an encrypted WebRTC connection (DTLS), and the confirmation comes back to you: “Delivered — verified on their device.”
A verified pairing code, not a shareable link. A link works for anyone who gets it. A Beamaroo code works once, for one device, and burns after a wrong guess. How the pairing works.
When to choose LocalSend instead
Choose LocalSend when both devices are on the same network and you can install the app on each. It works with no internet, writes files straight to disk so it handles multi-gigabyte files better, sends whole folders and reaches several recipients at once, and on Android it keeps going in the background. It's also open source (Apache-2.0), which Beamaroo isn't. Beamaroo is for the gaps: another network, a device you can't install anything on, or someone else's phone.
Questions
Does LocalSend work over the internet?
No, not as of October 2026: its FAQ says it 'uses your local WiFi network to transfer files', and the WebRTC code in its apps is switched off for now. For a device on another network, use a browser tool like Beamaroo or PairDrop, or Taildrop between your own devices.
Is there a web version of LocalSend?
Yes, LocalSend Web at web.localsend.org. It only shows devices on the same network and, for now, connects only to other browsers running it, not to the LocalSend apps.
Is LocalSend safe?
Generally, yes: it's open source, app-to-app transfers use HTTPS unless you turn encryption off, there's an optional PIN, and since v1.18 a Verify screen lets you compare a fingerprint on both devices. Keep it updated, as versions before 1.17.0 had a flaw (CVE-2025-27142) that let a malicious nearby device write files anywhere, and leave Quick Save off on shared networks, because it accepts files from anyone on the network.
What's the difference between LocalSend and PairDrop?
LocalSend is a native app for one local network, with offline use, folders and several recipients. PairDrop runs in the browser, finds devices on the same network automatically and can connect over the internet through pairing or public rooms. Both are free and open source.
Is there a faster alternative to LocalSend?
Probably not on one Wi-Fi network: LocalSend already aims to run 'at the maximum speed of your WiFi network', as its site puts it. To speed it up, its own advice is 5 GHz Wi-Fi, and its v1.18.0 notes say 'Encryption no longer slows down transfers', so update both devices first. Receiving on Android is a known slow spot.
What's the best LocalSend alternative for iPhone?
Between Apple devices, AirDrop is built in. For Android, Windows or Linux without installing anything, use a browser tool in Safari: Beamaroo for other networks and a delivery receipt, PairDrop for open source and same-Wi-Fi auto-discovery. When the iPhone is receiving, both are held back by Safari's memory: PairDrop refuses sends of 200 MB or more, and Beamaroo is comfortable up to a few hundred MB.
Can Beamaroo send folders or very large files?
Not folders yet: zip it first or select the files inside. The receiving browser holds files in memory, so phones are comfortable up to a few hundred MB and computers up to about 1–2 GB; for multi-gigabyte moves on one network, use LocalSend.