Is AlterSend like PairDrop?

They're close — both are free, open source, and end-to-end encrypted, and both can send files between different networks. The main difference is that AlterSend is a native desktop and mobile app built purely for peer-to-peer transfer, while PairDrop runs in a browser tab.

Is AlterSend open source?

Yes — Apache-2.0 licensed, just like PairDrop (GPL-3.0). Both are auditable.

Does AlterSend need a browser?

No. PairDrop runs as a web app in your browser; AlterSend is a native app on Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android, so transfers keep running without a tab open.

Do both work over the internet?

Yes. PairDrop reaches across networks by pairing devices or joining a public room through its signaling server; AlterSend connects your devices directly over the peer-to-peer network.

Are my files private?

Yes — with both, files travel directly between devices, end-to-end encrypted, and are never stored on a server.

Is there a file size limit?

AlterSend has none — you're transferring directly, not uploading. PairDrop also aims for no limit, though very large transfers can be less reliable inside a browser.

AlterSend

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AlterSend vs PairDrop.

PairDrop is a great open-source, browser-based way to share files. AlterSend does the same thing as a native app on every platform — direct peer-to-peer, end-to-end encrypted, with no browser tab to keep open.

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AlterSend desktop app — a private, unlimited alternative to PairDrop

The difference, side by side

PairDrop

AlterSend

Native desktop & mobile app

No — runs in a browser tab

Yes

Direct peer-to-peer

Via a hosted signaling server

Yes, direct P2P

Works over the internet

Via pairing / public rooms

Yes, anywhere

End-to-end encrypted

Yes

No cloud storage

Yes

Open source

Yes — GPL-3.0

Yes — Apache-2.0

File size limit

None (browser limits apply)

None

Why switch

Where AlterSend pulls ahead

A real app, not a browser tab

AlterSend runs natively on desktop and phone — no keeping a browser tab open, no page refresh dropping the transfer.

Direct peer-to-peer, anywhere

AlterSend connects your devices directly over the internet. PairDrop leans on a hosted signaling server and public rooms to reach across networks.

Whole folders, huge files

Drag an entire folder or a 200 GB archive — a native app handles it more reliably than an in-browser transfer.

Same open-source privacy

Both are open source and end-to-end encrypted — AlterSend just does it as a dedicated app built purely for peer-to-peer.

Send a file in seconds

01
Install on both devices
Free on Windows, Mac, Linux, iPhone, and Android.
02
Scan a code to pair
One QR scan connects them. Pair once — they remember each other.
03
Send, directly
Files go straight across, encrypted. Any size, no cloud storage.

Questions

Open-source and private — now a real native app.

Download free Star on GitHub

Free, open source, and native on Windows, Mac, Linux, iPhone, and Android.