Dropbox vs LocalSend
Dropbox and LocalSend are both file sync and storage software. Dropbox is a commercial product from Dropbox, Inc. LocalSend is open source under Apache-2.0, with 97k GitHub stars.
Which to pick
- Pick Dropbox when
- A team works with large files across mixed platforms and wants dependable sync independent of Microsoft or Google.
- Pick LocalSend when
- You need AirDrop-style transfers between mixed Windows, macOS, Linux, Android and iOS devices on the same network.
Side by side
Cloud file storage and sync across devices, with file sharing, version history, transfer of large files and Dash for search across company apps.
A free cross-platform app that sends files and text between nearby devices over the local network using HTTPS, with no internet or account needed.
Paying separately is hard to justify if you already get storage with Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace.
Devices must be on the same network, and some corporate or guest Wi-Fi blocks the discovery it relies on.
Production-ready (both)
Cloud service, desktop app and mobile app
Desktop app and mobile app
Not published
Dart, Flutter and Rust
Closed source, sold by Dropbox, Inc.
Open source, Apache-2.0 (permissive)
Closed source: you use it under the maker's terms and cannot change or resell the code.
You can build it into a product you sell, as long as you keep its copyright notice.
4.5k Wikipedia readers a month on phones
97k GitHub stars
Not known
Established: started 3 years ago, latest release v1.18.2.
Other comparisons
More file sync and cloud storage software
Both sides were judged on 2026-11-03 from makers' descriptions, Wikipedia, READMEs and GitHub data. License, age and popularity lines are worked out directly.