PairDrop vs download.fyi
They solve different problems. PairDrop finds devices on your network and sends to them with a tap, no link at all. download.fyi gives you a link you can send to anyone, anywhere. Both stream live and store nothing.
Numbers checked Oktober 2026. Each one links to where it came from.
Side by side
| Compared | PairDrop | download.fyi |
|---|---|---|
| Made for | Devices on the same local networkgithub.com | Anyone you can send a link to |
| Over the internet | Through temporary public rooms or paired devicesgithub.com | Any link works anywhere |
| Account | No setup, no sign-upgithub.com | None |
| To keep it longer | Not offered; nothing is storedgithub.com | 14 days for $5 or 30 days for $9, paid once |
| Encryption | WebRTC encrypts files in transitgithub.com | End to end |
Where PairDrop is better
On the same Wi-Fi it's quicker than any link: open PairDrop on both devices and they find each other. You can also pair devices permanently.
It sends text as well as files, and plugs into the Windows right-click menu and the share menu on iOS and Android.
It's open source (GPL-3.0), and you can host your own with Docker or Node.js.
Where download.fyi is better
A link travels. Paste it in an email or a chat and it works for anyone, anywhere, with no rooms to join or devices to pair.
For the same-Wi-Fi case, download.fyi has Nearby too: scan a QR code and your phone shows up, ready to receive.
When they can't take it now, a pass keeps the file online for 14 days (up to 100 GB, $5) or 30 days (up to 500 GB, $9), paid once.
Which to pick
Pick PairDrop for moving files between your own devices at home or in the office, especially if you'd like to self-host. Pick download.fyi when the person is somewhere else.
Questions
Does PairDrop work over the internet?
Yes, through temporary public rooms or devices you've paired. It's built mainly for devices on the same local network.
Is PairDrop free?
Yes. It says it "is libre, and always will be", and it's open source under GPL-3.0.
Does PairDrop store my files?
No. Files go device to device, and PairDrop doesn't even use a database.
More comparisons
Sign up. Upload. Wait. Just drop it.
No account and no size cap. Your link is ready the moment you pick a file.
Send a file