Google Drive vs LocalSend
Google Drive and LocalSend are both file sync and storage software. Google Drive is a commercial product from Google. LocalSend is open source under Apache-2.0, with 97k GitHub stars.
Which to pick
- Pick Google Drive when
- You use Google accounts or Workspace and want storage that works with Google's editors and sharing.
- Pick LocalSend when
- You need AirDrop-style transfers between mixed Windows, macOS, Linux, Android and iOS devices on the same network.
Side by side
Google's cloud file storage and sync, shared with Gmail and Photos storage, and the home for Docs, Sheets and Slides files.
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.
Sharing permissions get tangled in organisations, and storage is shared with Gmail and Photos.
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 Google
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.
61k 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.