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Overview
PairDrop is a cross-platform web application that uses WebRTC and WebSockets for browser-to-browser file and text transfers. Alongside local-network discovery, it supports persistent device pairing and temporary public rooms for internet transfers.
Features and best fit
Based on official documentation; not hands-on tested · Content checked:
Key features
Discover local devices and transfer peer-to-peer
Modern browsers can discover devices on the same local network and send files, images, documents, and text directly.
Sources: [2]
Extend transfers through pairing and public rooms
Persistent device pairing and temporary public rooms enable transfers across NAT and more complex network environments.
Sources: [2]
Best fit
Fits account-free cross-platform file sharing
It is useful when desktop and mobile devices should exchange files through a browser without relying on an operating-system-specific sharing feature.
Sources: [2]
Before adoption
Cross-network self-hosting needs a TURN server
Internet transfers between different networks require TURN for a self-hosted deployment, with a coturn Docker Compose example provided by the project.
Sources: [3]
Production requires HTTPS and correct proxy headers
Some browser features require TLS, and a reverse proxy must preserve X-Forwarded-For correctly so peer discovery does not cross unintended network boundaries.
Sources: [3]
Official sources
- [1]schlagmichdoch/PairDrop repository(2026-09-30)
- [2]PairDrop README(2026-09-30)
- [3]PairDrop self-hosting guide(2026-09-30)
- [4]PairDrop GPL-3.0 license(2026-09-30)
- [5]PairDrop v1.11.2 release(2026-09-30)
Supplemental curator note
PairDrop is a browser-based file-sharing tool derived from Snapdrop, supporting local-network transfers plus internet transfers through paired devices and temporary public rooms. The latest GitHub release is v1.11.2 from 2025 while main continued receiving updates in 2026. Cross-network self-hosting requires a TURN server, and production deployments should use HTTPS and correctly configure X-Forwarded-For behind a reverse proxy.
Try it in 3 steps
- 1
Get the source
git clone --depth 1 https://github.com/schlagmichdoch/PairDrop.git - 2
Enter the repository
cd PairDrop - 3
Check the official steps
Continue with the commands in the README Installation, Quick Start, or Getting Started section.
find . -maxdepth 1 -iname 'README*' -exec sed -n '1,220p' {} \; -quit
Growth
Growth trends · Last 30 days
11,497 Stars
Trend data is still being collected.
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Categories and tags
Categories
GitHub data
GitHub dataView detailed GitHub data
GitHub Topics
- file-sharing
- indexeddb
- nodejs
- pwa
- webrtc
- websockets
- Stars
- 11,497
- Forks
- 699
- Watchers
- 43
- Open issues
- 117
- Owner type
- User
- Primary language
- JavaScript
- License
- GPL-3.0
- Repository last updated
- Apr 22, 2026
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