PairDrop
Overview
PairDrop is an open-source, web-based file sharing tool that allows you to send files, images, text, and media directly between devices on the same local network or across the internet. Inspired by Apple’s AirDrop, PairDrop uses WebRTC technology to establish secure peer-to-peer connections between browsers, eliminating the need for any server-side file storage or third-party intermediaries.
Unlike many file sharing services that upload your data to a cloud server first, PairDrop keeps transfers direct. This means your files never touch an external server — they go straight from one device to another. The tool works entirely within your browser, requiring no software installation, no account creation, and no registration. Just open the PairDrop web app on both devices and start sharing.
PairDrop can be self-hosted on your own infrastructure, giving you full control over your data. The project is actively maintained on GitHub and has a growing community of users who appreciate its focus on privacy, simplicity, and cross-platform compatibility.
Key Features
- Peer-to-peer transfers: Files transfer directly between devices using WebRTC — no intermediate server stores your data.
- Local and remote sharing: Share with devices on the same network or across the internet using pairing codes.
- No installation required: Works entirely in the browser on any device with a modern web browser.
- Self-hostable: Run your own PairDrop instance on a server or Raspberry Pi for full privacy control.
- Cross-platform: Works on Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS through the browser.
- File, text, and media sharing: Send any type of content, including images, videos, documents, and clipboard text.
- End-to-end encryption: WebRTC provides encrypted data channels between peers.
Use Cases
- Quickly transferring photos from your phone to your computer without cables or cloud services.
- Sharing large files between team members on the same office network.
- Sending sensitive documents without uploading them to a third-party server.
- Transferring files between devices when you don’t have USB drives or cloud access.
Platforms
Web (any modern browser), self-hosted on Linux servers and Raspberry Pi.
Licence
GNU General Public License v3.0 (GPL-3.0)