LocalSend vs WeTransfer
LocalSend and WeTransfer are both file transfer software. LocalSend is open source under Apache-2.0, with 97k GitHub stars. WeTransfer is a commercial product from Bending Spoons.
Which to pick
- Pick LocalSend when
- You need AirDrop-style transfers between mixed Windows, macOS, Linux, Android and iOS devices on the same network.
- Pick WeTransfer when
- You occasionally need to send a large file to someone outside your organisation without setting up shared storage.
Side by side
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.
Sends large files to people by link or email, with no account needed on the free tier.
Devices must be on the same network, and some corporate or guest Wi-Fi blocks the discovery it relies on.
Since Bending Spoons bought it the free tier has tightened, and links expire, so it is not storage.
Production-ready (both)
Desktop app and mobile app
Cloud service
Dart, Flutter and Rust
Not published
Open source, Apache-2.0 (permissive)
Closed source, sold by Bending Spoons
You can build it into a product you sell, as long as you keep its copyright notice.
Closed source: you use it under the maker's terms and cannot change or resell the code.
97k GitHub stars
3.8k Wikipedia readers a month on phones
Established: started 3 years ago, latest release v1.18.2.
Not known
Other comparisons
More file transfer and sharing tools
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.