Snapdrop and its clones only pair devices on the same Wi-Fi, so two phones on different networks never see each other. DropAny pairs any two devices with a 6-digit code and sends files directly between them — even across different networks over the internet.
Enter this code on the other device, or scan the QR.
Tap the button to request a one-time 6-digit code so the other device can join.
Snapdrop, Pairdrop, ShareDrop and LocalSend all discover devices on the same local network — they broadcast over your LAN, so both devices must share one Wi-Fi or hotspot to find each other. The moment one person is on mobile data, a different office, or a separate home network, the device list stays empty. DropAny is built differently: it uses a short pairing code instead of local discovery, then opens a direct, end-to-end encrypted WebRTC channel, so it works on the same Wi-Fi and across the internet. Files travel device-to-device and are never uploaded to a server or cloud.
Go to the site in any browser and tap "Create connection" to get a one-time 6-digit code (or a QR code) — no app to install and no account to make.
On the second phone or computer — even on a completely different network — open DropAny and type the same code, or scan the QR. The two devices pair instantly.
A direct, encrypted channel opens between the two devices. Drop in photos, videos or any files with no size limit, and they transfer straight across — never through the cloud.
| DropAny | ||
|---|---|---|
| Works across different networks | Yes — over the internet with a code | No — same Wi-Fi/LAN only |
| How devices connect | 6-digit code or QR (works anywhere) | Local network discovery only |
| App install | None — runs in the browser | Browser (Snapdrop/Pairdrop/ShareDrop) or app (LocalSend) |
| End-to-end encrypted | Yes — DTLS, device-to-device | Encrypted in transit, but LAN-bound |
| Cloud upload / file size limit | Never uploaded · no size limit | Never uploaded · no size limit |
The best Snapdrop alternative depends on your need. If both devices are on the same Wi-Fi, Pairdrop or ShareDrop work well. If they are on different networks, DropAny is the strongest option: it pairs devices with a 6-digit code and sends files directly across the internet, encrypted, with no app or signup.
Snapdrop, Pairdrop and ShareDrop only discover devices on the same local network, so if your phone is on mobile data or a different Wi-Fi than the other device, they never appear to each other. DropAny avoids this by using a pairing code instead of local discovery, so it connects across any networks.
Yes. LocalSend only works between devices on the same Wi-Fi or LAN. DropAny is a LocalSend alternative that works over the internet: you open it in a browser on both devices, share a 6-digit code, and files transfer directly and encrypted — even when the devices are on completely different networks.
No. Like Snapdrop and its alternatives, DropAny never uploads your files to a server or cloud. It opens a direct, end-to-end encrypted WebRTC connection between the two devices, so files travel straight from one to the other. There is also no file size limit.