About Filedrop
Filedrop is a simple way to send files directly between devices through the browser. It uses WebRTC to connect peers wherever possible and encrypts everything end to end, including metadata and chat. The hosted site at drop.lol describes it as free and easy file sharing, and the project is built with React and Node.js in TypeScript. It is aimed at people who want to transfer files privately without creating accounts.
The feature list includes full end-to-end encryption, peer-to-peer transfer, a simple chat function with copy and paste, a minimalist interface, and availability as a progressive web application. Documentation covers usage and self-hosting, an FAQ and HTTPS setup, so you can run your own server rather than rely on the public one.
Filedrop is released under the BSD-3-Clause-Clear license. Because transfers are peer to peer, a signaling server is needed to introduce devices to each other, which is the part you host if you self-deploy. It suits ad hoc sharing between your own devices or with colleagues.
Key features
- End-to-end encrypted transfers including metadata
- Peer-to-peer connections over WebRTC
- Built-in chat with copy and paste
- Minimalist interface
- Progressive web app
- Self-hosting documentation
Good fit for
- →Sending files between your own devices
- →Sharing a file with a colleague without an account
- Tags
- file-sharing
- webrtc
- p2p
- encryption
- pwa
- privacy
- self-hosted
- file-transfer
Filedrop: questions and answers
- What is Filedrop used for?
- Filedrop is a browser-based, end-to-end encrypted peer-to-peer file transfer and chat built on WebRTC, available as a free hosted site or self-hosted. It is a good fit for sending files between your own devices and sharing a file with a colleague without an account.
- Is Filedrop open source?
- Yes. Filedrop is open source under the BSD-3-Clause-Clear licence. Its source code is on GitHub at mat-sz/filedrop and is written mainly in TypeScript.
- Is Filedrop free?
- Yes. Filedrop is open source, so the software itself is free to use. A managed cloud version is also available.
- Can I self-host Filedrop?
- Yes. Filedrop can be self-hosted on your own server or infrastructure.
- What is Filedrop an alternative to?
- Filedrop is an open-source alternative to WeTransfer, Send Anywhere and Smash. Other open-source alternatives to WeTransfer include EasyTransfer, Gokapi and FastSend.
- Is Filedrop actively maintained?
- The most recent commit to Filedrop was on 25 April 2026. The project has 965 stars on GitHub.
Open-source alternatives to Filedrop
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EasyTransfer
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A 🌟free, 🫣anonymous, 🔐encrypted, and 🚀easy-to-use E2EE file transfer tool
GPL-3.0vs WeTransfer★ 692Gokapi
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Lightweight selfhosted Firefox Send alternative without public upload. AWS S3 supported.
AGPL-3.0vs WeTransfer★ 2.9k
FastSend
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FastSend 是一个基于 WebRTC 技术的点对点文件传输工具,支持快速的目录同步和文件传输。通过浏览器即可实现安全、高效的文件共享。
MITvs Send Anywhere★ 1.3k
PairDrop
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PairDrop: Transfer Files Cross-Platform. No Setup, No Signup.
GPL-3.0vs Send Anywhere★ 12k
AirDash
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File sharing flutter webrtc app enabling sending files to any device from anywhere
MITvs Send Anywhere★ 668
AlterSend
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Send files directly between devices over the internet - no cloud storage, no size limits.
OSSvs WeTransfer★ 1.8k
SaaS alternatives to Filedrop
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WeTransfer
File Storage & Sharing
WeTransfer is a file-transfer service for sending large files, photos and videos by link or email without needing an account.
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Send Anywhere
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Cross-platform file transfer using one-time keys, links or direct device connections
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Smash
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Large file transfer service without file size limits on the free plan
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AnySend
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Browser-based peer-to-peer file transfer with no account, install or server upload
SaaS
BetterFileTransfer
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Secure file transfer tool for sending files to anyone
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dlvr.sh
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File transfer service for AI agents and developers, with file sharing and selling
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