Network reach
- AltSendmeInternet + LAN
- comparePage.shared.pairdropInternet + LAN
All comparisons
comparePage.shared.pairdrop
PairDrop alternative without browser limits
PairDrop makes quick browser-based sharing effortless, especially on the same Wi-Fi. AltSendme targets the same frictionless feel as native apps on Iroh/QUIC: resumable folders, no in-browser memory ceiling, gigabit-class throughput, and tickets that work across GUI, web, and sendme CLI.
PairDrop vs AltSendme
Transfer speed
- AltSendmeCan saturate gigabit (Iroh/QUIC)
- comparePage.shared.pairdropBrowser / WebRTC limited
CLI support
- AltSendmeYes, sendme-compatible CLI
- comparePage.shared.pairdrop一部
License
- AltSendmeAGPL-3.0 (open source)
- comparePage.shared.pairdropOpen source
Cost
- AltSendmeFree
- comparePage.shared.pairdropFree
Encryption
- AltSendmeQUIC + TLS 1.3 E2E
- comparePage.shared.pairdropWebRTC / DTLS (SCTP)
How peers connect
- AltSendmeShare a ticket
- comparePage.shared.pairdropPage pairing / LAN scan
Networking stack
- AltSendmeIroh
- comparePage.shared.pairdropWebRTC/DTLS (SCTP)
再開可能な転送
- AltSendmeはい
- comparePage.shared.pairdropいいえ
ファイルサイズ無制限
- AltSendmeはい
- comparePage.shared.pairdropブラウザメモリで制限
プラットフォーム
- AltSendmeCLI + デスクトップ + モバイル + Web
- comparePage.shared.pairdropWeb/PWA + Androidアプリ + CLI
| AltSendme | comparePage.shared.pairdrop | |
|---|---|---|
| Network reach | Internet + LAN | Internet + LAN |
| Transfer speed | Can saturate gigabit (Iroh/QUIC) | Browser / WebRTC limited |
| CLI support | Yes, sendme-compatible CLI | 一部 |
| License | AGPL-3.0 (open source) | Open source |
| Cost | Free | Free |
| Encryption | QUIC + TLS 1.3 E2E | WebRTC / DTLS (SCTP) |
| How peers connect | Share a ticket | Page pairing / LAN scan |
| Networking stack | Iroh | WebRTC/DTLS (SCTP) |
| 再開可能な転送 | はい | いいえ |
| ファイルサイズ無制限 | はい | ブラウザメモリで制限 |
| プラットフォーム | CLI + デスクトップ + モバイル + Web | Web/PWA + Androidアプリ + CLI |
When to use which
Choose PairDrop when
- You want zero install: just open a browser tab and send
- Files are small to medium and WebRTC speed limits are acceptable
- Everyone is on the same LAN and nearby discovery is enough
Choose AltSendme when
- You are moving large files or full folders that may not finish in one session
- You need resumability and throughput beyond WebRTC/SCTP browser ceilings
- You want desktop, Android, web, and sendme CLI sharing the same tickets
FAQ
How is AltSendme different from PairDrop?
PairDrop runs in the browser over WebRTC, great for quick shares, but capped by SCTP throughput and in-memory file handling. AltSendme is a native app on Iroh/QUIC with resumable folders, no browser RAM ceiling, gigabit-capable transfers on desktop and mobile, and sendme CLI interop.
Does PairDrop work over the internet?
PairDrop can connect across the internet via WebRTC ICE/STUN, but throughput and file size are limited by the browser stack. AltSendme uses Iroh tickets, QUIC hole punching, and encrypted relays, built for large internet transfers without loading the entire file into browser memory.
Can PairDrop send folders?
The browser PWA focuses on individual files; reliable folder sending often depends on the CLI fork or workarounds. AltSendme sends full folders natively in the GUI and CLI, with pause and resume if the connection drops.
Why are browser transfers slower than native apps?
WebRTC data channels use SCTP inside the browser, which rarely saturates a fast connection and buffers file data in memory. AltSendme streams directly over QUIC with native disk I/O, better for multi-gigabyte payloads on gigabit links.
Do I need to install AltSendme?
PairDrop's main advantage is no install: open a tab and go. AltSendme offers a web client, but the best experience is the native desktop or Android app: resumable transfers, unlimited practical file size, CLI automation, and much higher throughput than a browser tab.
Are both open source?
Yes. PairDrop is GPL-3.0; AltSendme is AGPL-3.0. Neither requires accounts. AltSendme adds auditable Iroh networking with self-hostable relays if you want full control over the infrastructure.