# FilePizza alternatives (2026): browser P2P and quick-share tools

Source: https://help.strongfolder.com/en/compare/filepizza-alternatives/
Updated: 2026-11-05

> The best FilePizza alternatives keep its peer-to-peer model. StrongFolder adds whole folders without a ZIP, QR codes and a Chrome extension; ToffeeShare is a simple browser option; PairDrop suits the same Wi-Fi; croc and Magic Wormhole work from the command line. If you can't keep your tab open, use a cloud site instead.

FilePizza made a simple idea popular: drop a file in your browser, share a link, and the
recipient downloads it straight from you — no upload, no storage. If you are looking for
FilePizza alternatives, you probably like that model but need something it doesn't do: whole
folders, a QR code for a phone, a local-network mode, or a command-line tool. We compared the
main options using each project's own site, FAQ or README.

**Key facts**

- **FilePizza** (as of 2026-11-05): browser P2P over WebRTC, files "as big as your browser can handle", several files arrive as one ZIP, optional password, BSD 3-Clause.
- **Folders kept as folders:** StrongFolder sends the folder tree with no ZIP and adds QR codes and a Chrome extension.
- **Simple file-only browser tool:** ToffeeShare — no size limit in Chrome, Firefox and Edge, but folders must be zipped first.
- **Same Wi-Fi:** PairDrop (browser) and LocalSend (apps). **Terminal:** croc and Magic Wormhole.
- **Every true P2P tool needs the sender online** until the transfer ends.

## Which FilePizza alternatives are worth trying?

As of 2026-11-05, from each project's own site, FAQ or README (sources at the end). "Not
stated" means the project's own pages don't say.

| Tool | Works over | Browser or app | Folders | Size limit | Sender online |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| **StrongFolder** | Internet; encrypted relay fallback | Browser: web app + Chrome extension | Yes, structure kept, no ZIP | None set by the service | Yes |
| FilePizza | Internet | Browser | Several files as one ZIP | "As big as your browser can handle" | Yes |
| ToffeeShare | Internet | Browser | No — zip first | None in Chrome, Firefox, Edge; about 4 GB in Safari | Yes |
| PairDrop | Local network; paired devices and public rooms over the internet | Browser (PWA) | Several files as a ZIP | Not stated | Yes |
| Wormhole | Internet; P2P only above 5 GB | Browser | Not stated | Up to 10 GB | Only above 5 GB |
| croc | Internet; relay fallback | Command line (browser client too) | Yes | Not stated | Yes |
| Magic Wormhole | Internet; transit relay fallback | Command line | Yes (directories) | Not stated | Yes |
| LocalSend | Local Wi-Fi only, works offline | Apps: Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS | Yes, sent recursively | Not stated | Yes |
| Send Anywhere | 6-digit key in real time; links via server | Website, apps | Not stated | Link: 10 GB | Key: yes; link: no |

## What does FilePizza do well, and why look elsewhere?

FilePizza's README says the uploader must leave the browser window open until the transfer is
complete, files can be as big as the browser can handle, several people can download from one
link, and an optional password adds a layer of protection. It's open source and documents
running it yourself with Docker.

People look for a FilePizza alternative for four reasons:

- **Folders.** FilePizza delivers several files as one ZIP and doesn't describe folder uploads.
- **Phones.** A QR code saves typing a long link from a computer into a phone.
- **Same network.** For a laptop and a phone on one Wi-Fi, an AirDrop-style tool is faster to use.
- **Automation.** Servers and scripts need a command-line tool, not a browser tab.

A direct comparison is in [StrongFolder vs FilePizza](https://help.strongfolder.com/en/compare/strongfolder-vs-filepizza/).

## Which FilePizza alternative is best for folders?

**StrongFolder**, if the recipient uses a browser. Folders are sent as folders: 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.
The recipient chooses a destination and the same subfolders and file names are written there,
file by file — no archive to create or extract. See [how to send a folder without
zipping](https://help.strongfolder.com/en/guides/send-folder-without-zipping/).

**croc and Magic Wormhole**, if both sides use a terminal. croc's README says it can transfer
files and folders and resume interrupted transfers; Magic Wormhole's documentation says
`wormhole send` accepts a file or a directory.

**LocalSend**, if both devices sit on the same network and have the app installed.

[Send files now](https://strongfolder.com)
## Which alternatives work like FilePizza in the browser?

**StrongFolder** is the closest match with extras: a link and a QR code for every transfer,
several recipients from one link, the web app and a Chrome extension — see [the Chrome
extension](https://help.strongfolder.com/en/chrome-extension/). If a direct connection is impossible (strict corporate firewall, some mobile networks), the encrypted stream passes through a StrongFolder relay (TURN) server. The relay forwards the data and does not store it.

**ToffeeShare** says communication flows directly between two devices over WebRTC and that it
stores nothing. Files stay available as long as you keep the tab open. It doesn't send folders
directly.

**PairDrop** is a fork of Snapdrop built for devices on the same network, with 6-digit-code or
QR pairing and temporary public rooms to reach devices elsewhere over its TURN server.

**Wormhole** is a hybrid: its FAQ says files up to 5 GB are stored on its servers for 24 hours,
encrypted in the browser with AES-GCM, and larger files go directly from your browser with the
page kept open.

## Which FilePizza alternatives work from the command line?

**croc** (MIT license) describes end-to-end encryption using PAKE, peer-to-peer transfer with
relay fallback, resume of interrupted transfers, and installs through Homebrew, Scoop,
Chocolatey, apt and Docker. Both sides share a code phrase.

**Magic Wormhole** (MIT license) uses short, single-use, human-pronounceable codes and a PAKE
(SPAKE2) to derive encryption keys. Clients try a direct connection first and fall back to a
transit relay.

Both are excellent for admins and developers moving files between servers. For a client or a
relative who just needs a link, a browser tool is easier.

## Do FilePizza alternatives need the sender to stay online?

All true peer-to-peer tools do — that is the trade-off, not a bug. The file comes from the
sender's device, so closing the tab or letting the laptop sleep stops the transfer.
The link works while the sender keeps sharing. When the sender clicks Stop Sharing or closes the tab, the files are no longer available. See [why the sender stays online](https://help.strongfolder.com/en/guides/why-sender-stays-online/).

Plug the laptop in and turn off sleep for long transfers. A 50 GB project over a 100 Mbit/s
upload takes a little over an hour.

## When is a cloud service better than any FilePizza alternative?

When you can't stay online. If you want to upload, close the laptop and let the recipient
download tomorrow, pick a cloud site: SwissTransfer, Transfer.it or TransferNow, compared in
[free file transfer sites](https://help.strongfolder.com/en/compare/free-file-transfer-sites/) and [WeTransfer
alternatives](https://help.strongfolder.com/en/compare/wetransfer-alternatives/).

Also choose differently when:

- **you must self-host or audit the code** — FilePizza itself, PairDrop or the classic Snapdrop
  are published under open licences;
- **both devices are in the same room** — LocalSend, PairDrop or your phone's built-in sharing
  are quicker than any link (see [AirDrop alternatives for Windows and
  Android](https://help.strongfolder.com/en/guides/airdrop-alternative-windows-android/));
- **you automate transfers** — croc or Magic Wormhole.

## Which FilePizza alternative should I pick?

| If you need… | Use |
|---|---|
| A whole folder with its structure, over the internet | StrongFolder |
| A QR code to send from a computer to a phone | StrongFolder or PairDrop |
| A single big file, simplest page possible | ToffeeShare or StrongFolder |
| Same Wi-Fi, no internet | LocalSend |
| Terminal-to-terminal, with resume | croc |
| Self-hosting | FilePizza or PairDrop |
| Send and go offline | A cloud site (SwissTransfer, Transfer.it) |

## Sources

Checked on 2026-11-05:
[FilePizza README](https://github.com/kern/filepizza) ·
[file.pizza](https://file.pizza/) ·
[ToffeeShare FAQ](https://toffeeshare.com/faq) ·
[PairDrop README](https://github.com/schlagmichdoch/PairDrop) ·
[Wormhole FAQ](https://wormhole.app/faq) ·
[croc README](https://github.com/schollz/croc) ·
[Magic Wormhole documentation](https://magic-wormhole.readthedocs.io/en/latest/welcome.html) ·
[LocalSend](https://localsend.org/) ·
[LocalSend README](https://github.com/localsend/localsend) ·
[Send Anywhere help center](https://support.send-anywhere.com/hc/en-us) ·
[Transfer.it FAQ](https://transfer.it/faq)

## FAQ

### What is a good alternative to FilePizza?

For the same browser-to-browser model with whole folders kept as folders, StrongFolder. For a simple file-only browser tool, ToffeeShare. For devices on the same network, PairDrop or LocalSend. For terminals and servers, croc or Magic Wormhole. All of them need the sender online while the transfer runs.

### Is there a FilePizza alternative that sends folders?

Yes. StrongFolder sends a folder with its subfolders and file names kept and nothing zipped; the recipient saves it in Chrome, Edge or Opera on a computer. croc and Magic Wormhole send folders from the command line, and LocalSend sends folders between apps on one network.

### Do FilePizza alternatives have a size limit?

True peer-to-peer tools set no storage-based limit. ToffeeShare's FAQ lists no file size limit in Chrome, Firefox and Edge and about 4 GB tested in Safari (as of 2026-11-05). No size limit set by StrongFolder. The practical limits are free disk space on the recipient's device, connection speed, and how long both devices stay online.

### Which FilePizza alternatives don't need the sender to stay online?

None of the true peer-to-peer ones — the file comes from the sender's device. If you need to send and go offline, use a cloud site such as SwissTransfer or Transfer.it, or Wormhole for files up to 5 GB, which it stores encrypted for 24 hours.

### Is FilePizza still working?

file.pizza is online and the project's README on GitHub describes FilePizza v2, released under the BSD 3-Clause license, as of 2026-11-05. People usually look for alternatives because they need folders, a QR code, a browser extension or a local-network tool.
