PairDrop, Snapdrop and ShareDrop brought the AirDrop idea to the browser: open the page on two devices on the same network and they see each other. StrongFolder starts from a different place — a link you can send to anyone, anywhere. This StrongFolder vs PairDrop comparison explains when each approach wins, and how the Snapdrop family differs.
How do StrongFolder, PairDrop and Snapdrop compare?
Facts as of 5 November 2026, from each project's own README and FAQ on GitHub (sources at the end). "Not stated" means the project's own pages don't say.
| StrongFolder | PairDrop | Snapdrop (classic) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Built for | Sending with a link, any network | Devices on the same local network | Devices on the same network |
| Across the internet | Yes, link or QR code | Paired devices and public rooms | Not stated for the classic version |
| How devices connect | Recipient opens your link | Both open PairDrop; you pick a shown device, it accepts | AirDrop-style local discovery |
| Pairing | Not needed | 6-digit code or QR code, persistent | Not stated |
| Several files | Sent as they are | Downloaded as one ZIP | Not stated |
| Whole folders with structure | Yes, no ZIP | Not stated | Not stated |
| Relay when direct fails | Encrypted TURN relay, no storage | PairDrop TURN server | Not stated |
| Browser extension | Chrome extension | Not stated (installable PWA) | Not stated (PWA) |
| Self-hosting | Not needed — nothing to deploy | Docker or Node.js, GPL-3.0 | Docker, GPL-3.0 |
| Account | Not needed (Google sign-in optional) | "No Setup, No Signup" | Not stated |
| Price | Free | Free | Classic code free to self-host |
ShareDrop, the third member of the family, shows devices that share the same public IP address and lets you create a room with a unique URL for others; its classic code is MIT-licensed.
What is the main difference between StrongFolder and PairDrop?
Discovery versus a link. PairDrop's README describes it as "Local file sharing in your web browser", inspired by AirDrop. You open pairdrop.net on two devices, they appear to each other, you tap the recipient, and the recipient accepts the transfer. That is perfect for your own phone and laptop on one Wi-Fi.
StrongFolder is built for sending to someone who isn't next to you. You choose files or a folder, copy the link or show the QR code, and send it by chat or e-mail. The recipient can be on another network or another continent; there is nothing to pair and no room to join. See how it works.
Can PairDrop and Snapdrop work over the internet?
PairDrop can. Its README lists two ways: paired devices, which always find each other via shared secrets independently of their local network, and temporary public rooms, which you enter with a 5-letter code or a QR code and which close when you close PairDrop. Devices outside the local network that are behind a NAT are auto-connected via the PairDrop TURN server.
Snapdrop describes itself as local file sharing in your browser. ShareDrop bridges networks with rooms that have a unique URL.
StrongFolder treats the internet as the normal case. 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. More on the mechanics in how WebRTC file transfer works.
Which one handles folders better?
PairDrop's README says multiple files are downloaded as a ZIP file. That is convenient for a handful of photos, but for a large project folder the recipient extracts an archive afterwards and needs disk space for both.
StrongFolder sends folders as folders. The recipient chooses a destination, and StrongFolder writes the same subfolders and file names there, file by file. 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. More in how to send a folder without zipping.
Free · in your browser · no sign-up
Are files stored on a server?
Not in either. PairDrop's FAQ says files are sent directly between peers, that PairDrop doesn't even use a database, and that on the same network none of your files are ever sent to any server. Its FAQ is also candid that WebRTC encrypts files in transit but you still have to trust the PairDrop server, with a plan to make signaling zero-trust.
For StrongFolder, Files are never uploaded to or stored on a StrongFolder server. To create the link, the service keeps transfer metadata: file and folder names, sizes and the number of files. WebRTC encrypts every data channel with DTLS, so the file stream is encrypted in transit on every connection. See security and the DTLS entry in the glossary.
What about Snapdrop and ShareDrop today?
Both repositories now open with a notice that the project was acquired by LimeWire, and both say the classic version can still be downloaded and run on your own infrastructure. The LimeWire service described there is a different product with free storage; this page compares the classic peer-to-peer tools. PairDrop, a fork of Snapdrop, runs at pairdrop.net.
When is PairDrop or Snapdrop the better choice?
Choose PairDrop (or a self-hosted Snapdrop) when:
- both devices are yours and on the same Wi-Fi — phone to laptop, laptop to desktop;
- you want open source you can read, audit or host yourself, for example on a Raspberry Pi in your local network;
- you also send text or snippets, not only files;
- you want permanent pairing between your own devices, so they always see each other.
For more AirDrop-style options, see AirDrop alternatives for Windows and Android and StrongFolder vs LocalSend.
When is StrongFolder the better PairDrop alternative?
Choose StrongFolder when:
- the recipient is somewhere else and you want to send a link, not set up pairing or a room;
- you're sending a folder — a video project, a photo shoot, a codebase — and it should arrive with its structure, without a ZIP;
- several people need the same files: One link can be opened by several recipients; each downloads directly from the sender.
- you want one-click sharing from Chrome via the extension.
If you can't stay online until the download ends, use a cloud service instead — see P2P vs cloud file transfer.
How do I send with StrongFolder?
- Open strongfolder.com or click the StrongFolder Chrome extension.
- Choose files or a whole folder. Nothing is uploaded first.
- Copy the link or show the QR code — handy for a phone, see PC to phone file transfer.
- Keep the tab open while recipients download, and click Stop Sharing when they're done.
Summary
PairDrop, Snapdrop and ShareDrop are open-source, AirDrop-style tools: open the page on two devices and send. PairDrop adds pairing and public rooms for the internet and delivers several files as a ZIP. StrongFolder is link-first: it sends files and whole folders, structure kept, to recipients on any network, with a managed relay and a Chrome extension. All of them are peer-to-peer, so both sides stay online. More tools in best P2P file transfer tools.
Sources
Checked on 5 November 2026: PairDrop README · PairDrop FAQ · pairdrop.net · Snapdrop README · ShareDrop README