LocalSend is a free Flutter app that transfers files between nearby devices over LAN using HTTPS and a REST API, no internet or third-party servers required.
Key Takeaways
Uses on-the-fly TLS/SSL certificate generation per device; all traffic is HTTPS over REST on TCP/UDP port 53317.
Works on Android 5.0+, iOS 12+, macOS 11+, Windows 10+, and Linux; distributed via Winget, Homebrew, Flathub, F-Droid, AUR, and app stores.
Requires both devices on the same local network; AP isolation on the router will block discovery and must be disabled.
Portable mode (v1.13.0+) stores settings next to the executable via a local settings.json, useful for USB or sysadmin deployments.
Built with Flutter and Rust; uses fvm to pin a specific Flutter version due to build compatibility requirements.
Hacker News Comment Review
Core limitation acknowledged by commenters: LocalSend requires a shared Wi-Fi network, unlike AirDrop which negotiates direct peer-to-peer connections without infrastructure.
Commenters split between LocalSend and KDE Connect as the practical cross-platform default; KDE Connect covers iOS, macOS, Android, and Linux with broader integration features.
Flutter as the implementation choice drew positive reactions given the breadth of platform support; the web interface at web.localsend.org extends reach to browsers without installing the app.
Notable Comments
@lxgr: flags the shared-network requirement as a disqualifying constraint vs true AirDrop parity, referencing spamsolutions.txt as a framework for evaluating these claims.
@newhotelowner: notes a browser-based interface at web.localsend.org works across Windows, Android, and iOS without any install.
