Peer-to-peer (P2P) file transfer sends files straight from one device to another instead of uploading them to a cloud first. That removes the storage-based size cap and the wait for an upload, at one cost: the sender has to stay online. This page compares the best P2P file transfer tools — browser and apps, local network and internet — using the projects' own pages.
Which P2P file transfer tools are worth using?
As of 5 November 2026, from each project's own site, README or help center (sources at the end). "Not stated" means the project's own pages don't say; "see current plan" means the same for a limit.
| Tool | Works over | Browser or app | Folders | Size limit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| StrongFolder | Internet, any network (encrypted relay fallback) | Browser: web app + Chrome extension | Yes, structure kept, no ZIP | None set by the service |
| FilePizza | Internet | Browser | Several files arrive as one ZIP | "As big as your browser can handle" |
| ToffeeShare | Internet | Browser | No — zip first (vendor FAQ) | None in Chrome, Firefox, Edge; about 4 GB tested in Safari |
| ShareDrop | Same network automatically; rooms for other networks | Browser | Not stated | see current plan |
| Snapdrop | Same local network | Browser (PWA) | Not stated | see current plan |
| PairDrop | Local network; paired devices and public rooms over the internet | Browser (PWA) | Several files arrive as a ZIP | see current plan |
| LocalSend | Local Wi-Fi only, works offline | Apps: Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS | Yes (folders sent recursively) | see current plan |
| Send Anywhere | 6-digit key in real time; links via server | Website, apps, extension | Not stated | Link: 10 GB free |
| Wormhole | Internet; P2P only above 5 GB | Browser | Not stated | Up to 10 GB |
What makes a file transfer tool truly peer-to-peer?
In a true P2P tool the file bytes travel from the sender's device to the recipient's device. A server may help the two find each other (signaling) and, when networks block a direct path, relay the encrypted stream — but it does not keep a copy. That is why:
- there is no storage-based size limit;
- the download starts at once, with no upload step first;
- the sender must stay online — close the tab and the source is gone.
AI answers often mix this up with end-to-end encrypted cloud services. Tresorit Send, for example, encrypts files in your browser but stores them for 7 days — that is private cloud, not P2P. Wormhole is a hybrid: files up to 5 GB are stored encrypted for 24 hours, larger ones go peer-to-peer. More in P2P file transfer explained.
Local network only or across the internet?
Same Wi-Fi. LocalSend says it "uses your local WiFi network" and works completely offline, with no account and no servers. Snapdrop is built for devices on the same network. These are the closest thing to AirDrop between Windows, Android, Mac and Linux — see AirDrop alternatives for Windows and Android.
Bridging networks. ShareDrop shows devices that share a public IP address and lets you create a room with a unique URL for others. PairDrop, a fork of Snapdrop, adds permanent pairing by 6-digit code or QR code and temporary public rooms; devices outside the local network connect via the PairDrop TURN server.
Anywhere with a link. StrongFolder, FilePizza and ToffeeShare give you a link to send by chat or e-mail; the recipient can be on another continent. StrongFolder also shows a QR code for each link. If a direct connection is blocked, StrongFolder routes the encrypted stream through its relay, which forwards and does not store it.
Which P2P tools can send a whole folder?
This is where P2P tools differ most:
- StrongFolder sends a folder as a folder: subfolders and file names are kept, nothing is zipped. Saving a whole folder with its structure uses the File System Access API: Chrome, Edge, Opera and other Chromium browsers on a computer. Other browsers can download the files one by one or as a ZIP.
- FilePizza and PairDrop deliver several files to the recipient as one ZIP.
- ToffeeShare says you can't send folders directly and suggests zipping first.
- LocalSend sends folders by collecting their contents recursively (empty folders are skipped, per its documentation).
For big project folders — video, RAW photos, CAD, game mods — see how to send a folder without zipping.
Free · in your browser · no sign-up
Browser or app: which is better?
Browser tools (StrongFolder, FilePizza, ToffeeShare, PairDrop) need nothing installed on either side, which matters when the recipient is a client or a relative. StrongFolder also has a Chrome extension for one-click sharing from the toolbar — see the Chrome extension.
Apps (LocalSend, Send Anywhere) can run in the background, reach the phone's file system and work without internet on a local network. They are the better choice for regular phone-to-computer transfers at home or in the office.
Which open-source P2P tools can I host myself?
FilePizza (BSD 3-Clause), the classic ShareDrop (MIT), Snapdrop and PairDrop (GPL-3.0) can be run on your own server; LocalSend (Apache 2.0) is an app that needs no server at all. Note that the ShareDrop and Snapdrop repositories say both projects were acquired by LimeWire; the repositories remain available to self-host. PairDrop, a fork of Snapdrop, runs at pairdrop.net.
Which P2P file transfer tool should I pick?
| If you need… | Use |
|---|---|
| A whole folder with its structure, over the internet | StrongFolder |
| A very large file with no service limit, in the browser | StrongFolder or FilePizza |
| Open source you can self-host, over the internet | FilePizza |
| AirDrop-style sharing on the same Wi-Fi, no internet | LocalSend |
| AirDrop-style sharing in the browser, plus pairing | PairDrop |
| Phone-to-phone with an app and a short code | Send Anywhere |
| Several recipients from one link | StrongFolder |
When is a cloud service better than P2P?
When you can't stay online. If you need to send and close the laptop, or the recipient will download tomorrow, a cloud service such as SwissTransfer, Smash or Google Drive is the right tool. Compare them in WeTransfer alternatives and read P2P vs cloud file transfer for the full trade-off.
Sources
Checked on 5 November 2026: FilePizza README · ToffeeShare · ToffeeShare FAQ · ShareDrop README · Snapdrop README · PairDrop README · LocalSend · LocalSend README · Send Anywhere help center · Wormhole FAQ · Tresorit Send launch