privacyapps.ioPrivacy checkup

Private file transfer tools

12 apps, each with a privacy passport

Most quick-send services keep your file on their servers for days. Private ones either encrypt it in your browser with a key that stays in the link, or skip the server and send straight between devices. Check the size limit and how long links live.

Leaving one of these?

If you only try two

Privacy passport
LocalSend
File transfer
Our pick
No tracking
Yes
Open source
Yes
Only you can read it
On device
No account
Yes
Free
Yes
5 of 5 checks
- Android
- iPhone
- Mac
- Windows
- Linux
Works on every device, no account
Privacy passport
Wormhole
File transfer
Our pick
No tracking
Yes
Open source
Partly
Only you can read it
Encrypted
No account
Yes
Free
Yes
4 of 5 checks
- Web
Up to 10 GB, encrypted, no sign-up

All 12 file transfer tools

Passes

Works on

12 of 12 apps

LocalSendPick

App95.6k

Sends files and text to nearby devices over your own Wi-Fi, encrypted, with no internet or account needed.

No tracking
Open source
Stays on device
No account
Free

Android
iPhone
Mac
Windows
Linux

WormholePick

Service

Browser-based file sending with end-to-end encryption; links expire after 24 hours.

No tracking
Partly open
End-to-end encrypted
No account
Free

Web

Syncthing

App89.7k

Keeps folders in sync directly between your own devices, encrypted in transit, with no cloud in the middle.

Minimal tracking
Open source
Stays on device
No account
Free

Mac
Windows
Linux

SwissTransfer

Service

Free Swiss service from Infomaniak for sending files up to 50 GB without an account.

Tracking not stated
Closed source
Provider can read it
No account
Free

Android
iPhone
Web

Tresorit Send

Service

Free end-to-end encrypted file sending from Tresorit, up to 5 GB per transfer, no account.

Tracking not stated
Closed source
End-to-end encrypted
No account
Free

Web

Send

Service5.9k

Community-run successor to Firefox Send: files encrypted in your browser, links that expire.

Tracking not stated
Open source
End-to-end encrypted
No account
Free

Web

PairDrop

Service11.7k

AirDrop-style sharing in any browser, sent peer to peer between devices you pair.

No tracking
Open source
End-to-end encrypted
No account
Free

Web

OnionShare

App7.2k

Shares files straight from your computer over Tor, so neither side reveals their location.

No tracking
Open source
End-to-end encrypted
No account
Free

Mac
Windows
Linux

Magic Wormhole

App23k

Command-line tool that moves files between computers using a short one-time code.

No tracking
Open source
End-to-end encrypted
No account
Free

Mac
Windows
Linux

croc

App40.8k

Command-line file sender with a code phrase, end-to-end encryption and resumable transfers.

No tracking
Open source
End-to-end encrypted
No account
Free

Mac
Windows
Linux

Winden

Service99

Magic Wormhole in the browser: send a file with a short code, encrypted end to end.

Tracking not stated
Open source
End-to-end encrypted
No account
Free

Web

KDE Connect

App

Links your phone and computer on the same network to share files, clipboard and notifications.

No tracking
Open source
Stays on device
No account
Free

Android
iPhone
Mac
Windows
Linux

What to check in file transfer tools

1 The file is encrypted before it leaves your device
2 No account needed for sender or receiver
3 Links expire and the size limit fits your files

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