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Syncthing is the best LocalSend alternative when you need a folder to stay synchronized automatically. It watches selected directories and propagates changes between devices without a central cloud account. Choose Resilio Sync instead if you prefer a proprietary peer-to-peer product for very large folders, remote connections, or NAS deployments. KDE Connect is better when file sending is only part of a wider Android-to-desktop workflow that includes clipboard sharing, notifications, and remote control. Quick Share is the shortest path from an Android phone to a Windows PC or Chromebook.
LocalSend remains useful: it is a simple, open-source way to send photos, videos, documents, or text to a nearby device on the same network. The important distinction is that LocalSend is a manual transfer tool, while Syncthing and Resilio Sync are continuous synchronization systems.
Choose by the result you need
There is no single replacement that improves every part of LocalSend. Start with the outcome you want rather than the name of the app.
| Tool | Primary model | Best fit | Important limitation |
|---|---|---|---|
| LocalSend | Manual nearby transfer | Sending selected files across a mixed-device local network | It does not continuously watch and mirror a folder |
| Syncthing | Continuous folder synchronization | Open-source, automatic mirroring between computers and servers | There is no official iOS support planned for the foreseeable future |
| Resilio Sync | Proprietary peer-to-peer synchronization | Large files, remote peers, Linux systems, and NAS use | Its protocol is closed and not publicly documented |
| KDE Connect | Manual transfer plus device integration | Android with clipboard sharing, notifications, and remote control | It is not a continuous folder-mirroring engine |
| Quick Share | Manual nearby transfer | Android-to-Windows or Android-to-Chromebook sharing | It is aimed at quick sends, not permanent synchronization |
What LocalSend does—and where it stops
LocalSend describes itself as secure, fast file sharing across your local network. You can select photos, videos, documents, or text, choose a nearby device, and accept the transfer. Received files are saved to the Downloads folder by default, and the destination can be changed in the app’s settings.
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The project is open source, cross-platform, and designed to work without an internet connection or third-party servers. That combination makes it a strong choice for a one-time handoff: moving camera pictures to a laptop, sending a document to a colleague on the same Wi-Fi, or copying text between two nearby machines.
Its limitation is intentional. LocalSend does not keep a folder under surveillance, compare changes over time, resolve a recurring two-way relationship, or mirror new files automatically. If you have to repeat the same send operation every day, you need a synchronization engine rather than another transfer interface.
Syncthing: the clearest automatic-folder alternative
Syncthing is an open-source file-synchronization tool. Instead of selecting individual files for each transfer, you designate a folder, pair the devices that should share it, and let the software propagate changes. A file created or edited on one participating device can appear on the others without a separate upload step.
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1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsThe project uses an open and documented protocol, and its security mechanisms are visible in the source code. That transparency is a major reason to prefer it for private archives, source code, work documents, or a home server where you want to understand the trust model rather than rely on an undocumented protocol.
When Syncthing is the right choice
- You want a directory to remain mirrored instead of sending files manually.
- You prefer open-source software and a documented protocol.
- Your devices are computers, servers, or NAS systems rather than iPhones that must synchronize in the background.
- You want a peer-to-peer design instead of storing the working copy in a consumer cloud service.
Syncthing setup workflow
The exact wording can vary slightly by operating system package, but the workflow is consistent:
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- Install Syncthing on every device that will hold a copy of the folder. Run it as a user service or application so it is available whenever synchronization is expected.
- Open the local web interface on each device. The first screen shows that device’s identifier, commonly called its Device ID.
- Pair the devices. On device A, use Add Remote Device, enter device B’s Device ID, give it a recognizable name, and save. Accept the pending device request on device B. Repeat for every pair that should communicate.
- Add the folder to share. Choose Add Folder, set a label and the exact local path, then select the remote devices that should receive it. Do not point two unrelated folders at the same path unless you intend them to become one shared dataset.
- Accept the folder invitation on each remote device and choose its local destination. The destination paths can differ; a work folder on one computer can map to a data volume on another.
- Watch the status. The interface reports whether a device is connected and whether the folder is up to date. Leave both devices running while the initial scan and transfer complete.
Plan the folder before turning on sync
Synchronization is not the same as backup. If a file is deleted or corrupted on one device, that change may be propagated to the others. Keep a separate backup for irreplaceable photographs, records, and project files. Exclude temporary caches, operating-system folders, and application databases unless you understand how that software handles concurrent access.
For a folder edited on more than one device, decide how you will handle simultaneous changes. Syncthing can identify conflicting edits, but it cannot know which human version is correct. Use clear ownership rules for shared documents and avoid syncing a live database between machines unless the database vendor explicitly supports that arrangement.
Remote synchronization with Syncthing
Syncthing can synchronize beyond the same home network when the participating devices have a working network path to one another. That may mean a private network, a VPN, or network-routing changes that your environment permits. Remote synchronization is therefore possible without putting the files in a central cloud account, but it is not automatic merely because the software is installed: both endpoints must be reachable and running.
For a laptop that is often asleep, expect synchronization to resume when it wakes and reconnects. An always-on computer or NAS is a better endpoint for a household archive because it can receive changes while mobile computers are away.
The iPhone constraint
The Syncthing FAQ states that there are no plans by the current Syncthing team to officially support iOS in the foreseeable future. iOS background-processing restrictions make reliable, continuous integration difficult. Treat that as a decisive constraint if an iPhone must participate in the automatic folder itself. Third-party iOS clients may exist, but their maintenance, permissions, and background behavior must be evaluated separately; official Syncthing support should not be assumed.
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Resilio Sync: proprietary peer-to-peer synchronization
Resilio Sync is the main alternative when you want the same broad category of continuous peer-to-peer synchronization but do not require an open protocol. A December 8, 2025 TechRadar review describes it as non-cloud, peer-to-peer software aimed at large files and notes compatibility with Linux and NAS platforms, including Synology systems. The review also describes a free product for non-commercial use and a separate Resilio Active Everywhere business platform.
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- Large media collections can be synchronized directly between peers.
- Linux and NAS support make it practical for an always-on storage endpoint.
- Remote peers can exchange changes without placing the primary working set in a central cloud drive.
The trust trade-off
Syncthing’s FAQ contrasts its open, documented protocol with Resilio Sync’s closed protocol. The latter’s security properties cannot be inspected in the same way by the public. That does not by itself prove that Resilio Sync is unsafe, but it is a material difference for organizations and privacy-focused users who require auditable design.
Select Resilio Sync when its peer-to-peer workflow, large-file handling, or NAS compatibility outweighs the value you place on open implementation details. Select Syncthing when protocol transparency and open-source governance are more important.
KDE Connect: file transfer plus Android desktop control
KDE Connect moves files without a cable, but its distinguishing value is the surrounding device-integration layer. With an Android phone and a desktop, it can share clipboard contents, show phone notifications on the computer, and provide remote-control functions. That makes it a better fit than a file-only tool when the real goal is to operate the phone and computer together.
Use KDE Connect when
- You regularly copy short text or links between phone and computer.
- You want phone notifications visible on the desktop.
- You need remote-control features in addition to occasional file sends.
- You accept manual transfer rather than continuous folder mirroring.
KDE Connect should not be selected as a replacement for Syncthing merely because both can send files. Its strengths are interaction and convenience; it does not provide the automatic folder-watching model that defines synchronization.
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Quick Share is convenient when an Android phone and a Windows PC or Chromebook are the devices you use most. It is integrated into the Android Share menu, so sending a photo or document usually requires fewer setup decisions than installing a separate cross-platform utility.
Choose a visible destination from the Android share sheet, accept the request on the receiving computer, and check the destination folder after the transfer. Quick Share is optimized for quick, nearby sends. It is not a substitute for a service that keeps a directory mirrored as files change.
LocalSend versus the alternatives by transfer model
| Question | Manual-transfer tools | Synchronization tools |
|---|---|---|
| Do I choose each file? | Yes. LocalSend, KDE Connect, and Quick Share start with an explicit send. | No for routine changes. Syncthing and Resilio Sync monitor configured folders. |
| Does it work best nearby? | Yes. Local network proximity is the normal operating model. | They can work across remote network paths when both endpoints are reachable. |
| Is a cloud account required? | LocalSend is designed without third-party servers; the other transfer workflows also focus on direct device exchange. | Syncthing and Resilio Sync are peer-to-peer approaches rather than a central cloud drive. |
| Can it keep two folders aligned? | No. | Yes, subject to device availability, permissions, and how you handle edits and deletions. |
Best choices for common device combinations
Windows, macOS, or Linux computers
Use Syncthing if the same project or archive must stay current on multiple computers. Use LocalSend when the transfer is occasional and you do not want a persistent relationship between the devices. Resilio Sync is the proprietary option when large datasets, remote peers, or NAS integration are central requirements.
Android phone with a Windows PC or Chromebook
Use Quick Share for a fast, one-off send from the Android Share menu. Use KDE Connect if clipboard, notifications, or remote control matter. Use LocalSend when the environment includes a wider mixture of operating systems and you want one consistent manual-transfer tool.
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iPhone in a mixed-device household
LocalSend is the safer default for broad manual sharing because it is designed for mixed platforms, including iPhone. Do not promise a Syncthing-based automatic folder on iOS: official support is not planned in the foreseeable future. If automatic synchronization is non-negotiable, define which non-iPhone device will act as the synchronized endpoint and treat the iPhone as a separate transfer participant.
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Using a NAS as an always-on endpoint
A NAS is optional, not a requirement. Its value is availability: a powered, network-connected storage system can hold the continuously synchronized copy while laptops and phones come and go. You can then synchronize a desktop folder with the NAS and use the NAS’s own backup process for another layer of protection.
Choose the NAS model only after checking storage capacity, operating-system compatibility, drive redundancy needs, and the workload. A small document archive has very different requirements from several computers exchanging large video files. Syncthing and Resilio Sync can both be considered for NAS deployments, but the software support offered by the NAS platform and the maintenance burden should decide the final configuration.
Security and privacy decisions
LocalSend
LocalSend is designed for secure file sharing across a local network and does not require third-party servers. That reduces dependence on an online account for a nearby transfer. Still, treat an unfamiliar or shared network as untrusted: verify the receiving device name before accepting a file and avoid approving unexpected requests.
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Syncthing’s open, documented protocol and visible security mechanisms make it the strongest choice when auditability matters. Security also depends on the endpoints: protect each device account, restrict who can add folders, and keep the operating systems and Syncthing packages maintained.
Resilio Sync
Resilio Sync’s closed protocol means outsiders cannot review its implementation in the same way. That is a governance and verification trade-off, not a measurement of transfer speed or a claim that the product is insecure. Document the trust decision before deploying it for sensitive data.
Troubleshooting checklist
The folder is not updating
- Confirm that both devices are powered on and the synchronization service is running.
- Check that the remote device is paired and currently connected.
- Verify the local folder path and that the service account can read and write it.
- Look for a paused folder, a pending invitation, or a storage volume that is full.
The first synchronization is slow
- Allow the initial scan and transfer to finish before judging steady-state performance.
- Remove caches and other disposable data from the shared folder.
- Keep the endpoint awake and connected until the status reports that it is up to date.
A transfer request never appears
- Ensure both devices are on the same local network for LocalSend, KDE Connect, or Quick Share.
- Check that the receiving application is open and that its visibility or discovery setting allows the sender.
- Confirm that the operating system firewall is not blocking local discovery or the transfer.
Files disappeared or an older version returned
Stop editing the affected folder on every device, preserve the current copies, and identify which device made the deletion or edit. Restore from a separate backup when the file is important. Synchronization propagates changes; it is not a substitute for versioned backup.
A practical decision framework
- Need automatic mirroring? Start with Syncthing. Consider Resilio Sync if its proprietary peer-to-peer design and NAS or large-file focus are a better operational fit.
- Need only an occasional nearby send? Keep LocalSend for mixed platforms, Quick Share for Android with Windows or Chromebook, or KDE Connect when desktop integration is equally important.
- Must an iPhone participate in the automatic folder? Do not assume Syncthing can provide that officially. Separate the iPhone transfer requirement from the computer-to-computer synchronization requirement.
- Need a device that is always available? Add an appropriately sized NAS or another always-on computer, then maintain an independent backup.
- Is protocol transparency a requirement? Prefer Syncthing. If a closed protocol is acceptable, evaluate Resilio Sync on its operational benefits rather than assuming the two products have the same trust model.
What to install first
For most readers asking specifically about automatic folder sync, install Syncthing on the two computers that should share a directory, pair their Device IDs, and synchronize a small test folder before adding irreplaceable data. Keep LocalSend installed for ad-hoc nearby transfers. Add KDE Connect or Quick Share only if their device-integration or Android workflow solves a separate problem. This combination avoids forcing one tool to perform three different jobs.
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