About ShareDrop
ShareDrop is a web application inspired by Apple's AirDrop that lets you transfer files straight from one device to another without uploading them to a server first. Devices on the same local network appear to each other automatically when the page is open, so no setup is needed.
Transfers use WebRTC for peer-to-peer delivery, with Firebase handling presence and signaling. To share between different networks, a user creates a room with a unique URL and sends it to others, who can then join and see each other's avatars. Unlike AirDrop, it needs an internet connection to discover devices, but it works across Android, iOS and desktop browsers including Chrome, Edge and Firefox.
The README notes that the hosted site has been acquired by LimeWire, which now offers extras such as end-to-end encryption and AI tools for signed-up users. The GitHub repository remains as a classic version under the MIT license, which can be downloaded and run on your own infrastructure.
Key features
- Peer-to-peer file transfer over WebRTC
- Automatic discovery of devices on the same network
- Shareable room URLs for cross-network transfers
- Works across mobile and desktop browsers
- Files go directly between devices
Good fit for
- →Sending files between phone and laptop
- →Quick transfers without installing an app
- Built with
- JavaScript
- Tags
- file-sharing
- webrtc
- peer-to-peer
- file-transfer
- ember
- javascript
- self-hosted
ShareDrop: questions and answers
- What is ShareDrop used for?
- ShareDrop is an AirDrop-inspired web app that sends files directly between devices over WebRTC; the original open-source version can be self-hosted. It is a good fit for sending files between phone and laptop, and quick transfers without installing an app.
- Is ShareDrop open source?
- Yes. ShareDrop is open source under the MIT licence. Its source code is on GitHub at ShareDropio/sharedrop and is written mainly in JavaScript.
- Is ShareDrop free?
- Yes. ShareDrop is open source, so the software itself is free to use. A managed cloud version is also available.
- Can I self-host ShareDrop?
- Yes. ShareDrop can be self-hosted on your own server or infrastructure.
- What is ShareDrop an alternative to?
- ShareDrop is an open-source alternative to Send Anywhere and WeTransfer. Other open-source alternatives to Send Anywhere include FastSend, EasyTransfer and Filedrop.
- Is ShareDrop actively maintained?
- The most recent commit to ShareDrop was on 10 February 2025. The project has 11k stars on GitHub.
Open-source alternatives to ShareDrop
See all
FastSend
File Storage & Sharing
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
EasyTransfer
File Storage & Sharing
A 🌟free, 🫣anonymous, 🔐encrypted, and 🚀easy-to-use E2EE file transfer tool
GPL-3.0vs WeTransfer★ 692
Filedrop
File Storage & Sharing
📲 WebRTC E2E encrypted file transfer - React + node.js
BSD-3-Clause-Clearvs WeTransfer★ 965
PairDrop
File Storage & Sharing
PairDrop: Transfer Files Cross-Platform. No Setup, No Signup.
GPL-3.0vs Send Anywhere★ 12k
AirDash
File Storage & Sharing
File sharing flutter webrtc app enabling sending files to any device from anywhere
MITvs Send Anywhere★ 668
croc
File Storage & Sharing
Easily and securely send things from one computer to another :crocodile: :package:
MITvs WeTransfer★ 40k
SaaS alternatives to ShareDrop
See all
Send Anywhere
File Storage & Sharing
Cross-platform file transfer using one-time keys, links or direct device connections
SaaS
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.
SaaS
AnySend
File Storage & Sharing
Browser-based peer-to-peer file transfer with no account, install or server upload
SaaS
BetterFileTransfer
File Storage & Sharing
Secure file transfer tool for sending files to anyone
SaaS
dlvr.sh
File Storage & Sharing
File transfer service for AI agents and developers, with file sharing and selling
SaaS
Filemail
File Storage & Sharing
Large file transfer by link or email, with desktop and mobile apps
SaaS

