Home / Directory / Files & sync
Alternatives to Google Drive, OneDrive and AirDrop
Ways to move and keep your files without renting space from a giant.
Ranked by score out of 30, most convivial first.
LocalSend
Send files between any two devices on the same Wi-Fi.
Cryptomator
Encrypts the files you keep in any cloud folder before they leave your device.
PairDrop
Send a file to a nearby device from the browser, with nothing to install.
Syncthing
Keeps folders in sync directly between your own devices.
Nextcloud
Your own file storage, calendar and contacts, on a server you choose.
For comparison
The big names these tools are measured against. We review them as benchmarks, so they sit outside the directory.
About these tools
People use cloud storage for two different jobs: getting a file from here to there, and keeping a copy somewhere safe and in sync. Different tools fit each job better than one giant service does. LocalSend moves files directly between devices on the same network, Syncthing keeps folders in step between your own computers, and Cryptomator locks files before they reach whatever cloud folder you already use.
None of these needs you to hand your files to a company that earns money from knowing about them. Nextcloud gives you your own cloud, and PairDrop sends files to a nearby device from the browser.
How to choose
Decide first whether you need a transfer, a sync or a vault. For a one-off handover, a direct transfer needs nothing stored anywhere. For files you work on across machines, syncing directly between your own devices means no third party holds them. If you already pay for cloud storage and can't leave, encrypting before upload keeps the provider from reading anything.
Frequently asked questions
What is an alternative to AirDrop for Windows and Android?
LocalSend works across Windows, Mac, Linux, Android and iOS over the same Wi-Fi, with no account.
Can I sync files without a cloud service?
Yes. Syncthing copies changes straight between your own devices. It takes some setup, and on phones the Android options are less settled than on the desktop.
How do I keep using Google Drive or OneDrive but keep my files private?
Cryptomator encrypts your files into a vault inside the folder first, so the provider only ever sees scrambled data.