I need a file transfer service that is peer-to-peer and does not store files on a central server.

To transfer files directly between devices without storing them on a central cloud server, you want a WebRTC-based peer-to-peer (P2P) or local network file sharing service.

Note: While these services do not store your files on a server, most web-based tools use a lightweight "signaling server" strictly to help the two browsers find and introduce each other. Once the handshake is complete, the data streams directly between devices and never touches the server.

Browser-Based P2P Services (Over the Internet)

• ToffeeShare : Streams files directly from your device with no size limits . If you close your browser tab, the transfer stops immediately and the file is no longer accessible.
• Wormhole : Offers end-to-end encrypted, peer-to-peer file sharing with automatically expiring links.
• PairDrop / Snapdrop : Excellent for sharing files between devices. If you are on the same local network, it acts like a web-based AirDrop; it can also connect across different networks via custom rooms.
• Sendfiles.dev : Allows you to pick a file, set a custom password for client-side encryption, and generate a direct link for a peer to download straight from your browser session.

Local Network & Offline Tools (No Internet Needed)

• LocalSend : A free, open-source app that lets you securely share files and text between nearby devices (Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS) over your local Wi-Fi LAN without using any internet or external servers.

Advanced / Command-Line Tool

• Croc : A brilliant command-line tool written in Go that allows any two computers to transfer files and folders securely using Relay-backed P2P end-to-end encryption with zero server storage.

Are you looking to share files across the internet with someone far away, or strictly between devices on your local Wi-Fi network?

Yes. The key distinction is whether you mean “files never get stored on a central server” or “there is literally no server involved at all, even for peer discovery.”

Best options

My recommendation:

• Same Wi-Fi/LAN: use LocalSend. It's open source, cross-platform, requires no account, and transfers stay on your local network.
• Different networks / over the Internet: try PeerDrop. It uses WebRTC for direct browser-to-browser transfer and states that files aren't uploaded to or stored on its servers.
• If you want maximum control: Magic Wormhole is excellent, but note that it does use servers for rendezvous and can use a relay; those servers aren't intended as file storage.

One important caveat: true Internet-wide P2P is difficult without some signaling/rendezvous mechanism. NAT/firewalls often prevent two devices from finding each other directly. So if your requirement is “the file bytes must never pass through or be stored on a third-party server,” several of these qualify; if your requirement is “absolutely zero third-party server involvement of any kind,” the choices become much narrower.

If you tell me what devices you're transferring between (Windows/Mac/iPhone/Android/Linux) and whether they're on the same network, I can narrow it down to the best 1–2 choices.

Several excellent tools allow you to transfer files directly via peer-to-peer (P2P) connections (using WebRTC or local network protocols) so that your files never get stored or cached on an intermediary cloud server.

(Note: While these services use a lightweight "signaling" server to initially connect the two devices/browsers, the actual file data streams directly between the peers and is never saved or read by the server.)

• PairDrop : A brilliant open-source, web-based tool inspired by Apple's AirDrop. It works across the local network or globally via temporary rooms, allowing browser-to-browser P2P transfers with zero file size limits and end-to-end encryption.
• ShareDrop : Built on WebRTC, this classic web utility lets you see other connected users on your local network (or a custom private virtual room) to instantly drag, drop, and stream files device-to-device.
• LocalSend : A free, cross-platform app (Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS, Android) that lets you securely share files with nearby devices on your local Wi-Fi network without needing an internet connection or any server at all.
• Croc : If you prefer the command line, croc allows any two computers to directly transfer files and folders with end-to-end encryption using a simple passphrase, with automatic fallback relay if direct connection needs help.
• Sendfiles.dev : A browser-based P2P tool where you drop a file, pick a client-side password for encryption, and generate a direct link that streams the bytes straight from your browser to your recipient's browser.

Would you prefer a browser-based tool (no installation required) or a standalone app/CLI tool for heavier/frequent file transfers?

If you want peer-to-peer file transfer with no central file storage, look for services that use WebRTC, direct sockets, or decentralized discovery. A few good options:

A few things to check before choosing:

• “No storage” does not always mean “no servers.” Many WebRTC services still use a small signaling server to help two devices find each other; the actual file bytes go directly between peers.
• For maximum privacy, prefer:
  • open-source projects,
  • end-to-end encryption,
  • no accounts,
  • no “share link that stores files for later.”
• For same-network transfers, a LAN-only tool is usually fastest and most private.
• For sending to someone over the internet, WebRTC-based tools are usually the easiest.

If you want the closest match to “files never touch anyone else’s server,” I’d shortlist:

1. LocalSend (LAN, reliable)
2. PearDrop (cross-platform P2P)
3. Floe / similar WebRTC tools (browser convenience)

I can also suggest options specifically for Windows↔Mac, iPhone↔Android, large files (100GB+), or self-hosted/open-source only.

Several peer-to-peer (P2P) file transfer services allow you to send files directly between devices without storing them on a central server, ensuring privacy and security. These services typically use WebRTC technology to establish a direct, encrypted connection between browsers.

Here are the top options:

• Altersend: A free and open-source P2P file sharing tool that enables direct file transfers between devices over the internet without using cloud storage or central servers.
• FilePizza: A browser-based P2P tool that allows you to share files directly from your browser. It uses WebRTC for direct, encrypted connections.
• QuicShare: A fast and secure P2P file sharing application built with .NET + Avalonia, offering end-to-end encryption and direct transfers.
• Syncthing: An open-source continuous file synchronization program that works directly between devices, ensuring no data is stored on a third-party server.
• Resilio Sync: Uses P2P technology to sync files directly between computers, offering fast speeds and no cloud storage limitations.
• Magic Wormhole: A tool designed for secure, direct file transfer from one computer to another, requiring a secure password-based handshake to connect the two devices directly.

Key Considerations:

• Connection Setup: While files do not pass through a central server, some tools may use a signaling server to help the two devices find each other initially.
• Speed: Because the transfer is direct, the speed depends on the bandwidth of both peers.
• Availability: Both the sender and receiver must be online at the same time for the transfer to occur.

Would you prefer a browser-based tool (like FilePizza) or a downloadable application (like Syncthing) for your file transfers?

If you want files to go directly from the sender to the receiver without being stored on a central server, here are some good options:

A few notes:

• Most browser-based P2P services use a signaling server to help the two peers discover each other. This server exchanges only connection metadata; the file itself is sent directly between devices and is not stored on the server.
• Because the transfer is direct, both sender and receiver generally need to be online at the same time.

If your priority is:

• Simplest (no install): P2Pear or CoralSend.
• Open source: CoralSend or SyncThing.
• Huge files (100 GB+): SyncThing or Resilio Sync.
• Same Wi-Fi/LAN: LocalBolt or FileTunnel.

If you need true decentralized peer discovery with no centralized signaling service at all, that's a much smaller category (typically using DHTs such as IPFS/Hyperswarm). I can recommend those as well if that's your requirement.

Several peer-to-peer (P2P) file transfer services exist that do not store files on a central server, allowing for direct, end-to-end encrypted transfers. These tools utilize WebRTC or DHT technology to connect browsers or devices directly.

• ⁠Altersend: A free, open-source tool for sending files directly between devices over the internet, featuring end-to-end encryption and no file size limits.
• ⁠WebTorrent: A browser-based P2P tool that allows for direct file transfers between browsers without any intermediate server storage.
• ⁠QuicShare: A .NET-based tool that enables direct, secure P2P transfers using QUIC and mutual TLS.
• ⁠Syncthing: An open-source, continuous file synchronization program that transfers data directly between devices without a central server.
• ⁠Resilio (Platform): Uses BitTorrent technology to facilitate fast, secure, and decentralized file transfers, suitable for large files.
• Crock: A simple, secure command-line tool for peer-to-peer file transfer.

Key Considerations for P2P File Sharing:

• Security: These systems provide high privacy because no third party has access to your data, as it is not stored in the cloud.
• Speed: Because data goes directly from one peer to another, it is often much faster than traditional "upload-then-download" cloud services.
• Challenges: P2P file sharing can be challenging with NAT-routing (common in IPv4), sometimes requiring STUN or TURN servers for connection setup.

To recommend the best option, I'd need to know if you prefer a browser-based tool (no installation) or a desktop application , and if you need to share files with multiple people or just one-to-one.

If you want a peer-to-peer file transfer service where files are not stored on a central server, look for tools that do direct device-to-device transfer (often using WebRTC, LAN discovery, or decentralized protocols). A few good options:

A few things to check before choosing:

• Same network only? Use something like LocalSend. It is fast and avoids internet exposure.
• Sending to someone across the internet? Use a WebRTC-based P2P tool. Note that many P2P systems still use a small signaling or relay service to help two devices connect; the important distinction is whether the relay stores your file. Some services state that relays only pass encrypted data rather than store it.
• Need automatic backup/sync between your own machines? Syncthing is usually a better fit than a “send this file once” tool.

If your priority is “zero third-party servers involved at all”, the safest route is a LAN-only tool like LocalSend or a direct ad-hoc connection. If your priority is sending large files over the internet, you’ll likely need a small coordination service even if the actual file transfer remains peer-to-peer.

Several secure, peer-to-peer (P2P) file transfer services exist that do not store files on a central server, ensuring data moves directly from your device to the recipient's . These services typically use WebRTC technology to establish a direct connection between browsers, making them ideal for privacy and speed.

Here are top P2P file transfer services that meet your criteria:

• Filepizza : An open-source, browser-based tool that allows you to share files directly from your computer, using WebRTC to keep files off any intermediate server.
• Magic Wormhole : A secure command-line tool that creates an end-to-end encrypted, direct connection, requiring a human-readable code to initiate transfer.
• Altersend : A free, open-source application designed for direct file sharing between devices over the internet, utilizing DHT (distributed hash tables) for peer discovery.
• Resilio Sync : Based on BitTorrent technology, this tool specializes in synchronizing folders directly between peers, which is excellent for large files or continuous collaboration without cloud storage.
• Syncthing : An open-source, decentralized synchronization tool that keeps files in sync across devices without storing them in a central repository.

Key Considerations

• Active Connection: For most P2P transfers, both the sender and receiver must be online and have their browser or application open during the entire transfer.
• Security: Since these tools are P2P, they often provide higher privacy, but you must still ensure you are sharing with authorized users.

Would you prefer a browser-based tool (no installation required) or a desktop application (better for large/multiple files)? Also, let me know if you need to transfer files to multiple people at once.

If your requirement is true peer-to-peer transfer with no file storage on a central server, there are several good options. The main distinction is whether you want browser-based transfers, installed applications, or continuous folder synchronization.

Browser-based, no uploads

If you want something like WeTransfer but without uploading to a cloud server:

• PairDrop creates a direct connection between browsers using WebRTC. Files are transferred directly and are never stored on PairDrop's servers. A signaling server is used only to establish the connection.
• Similar browser-based projects use the same model: signaling server for connection setup, then encrypted peer-to-peer transfer with no server-side storage.

Best desktop application

For computers that transfer files regularly:

• Syncthing is widely regarded as the gold standard for decentralized file synchronization.
• Files are exchanged directly between your devices.
• There is no cloud storage or vendor-operated server holding your data.
• Everything is encrypted during transit.

Large files over the Internet

If you need to send hundreds of gigabytes or terabytes:

• Resilio Sync uses BitTorrent-based peer-to-peer technology.
• Excellent for very large datasets.
• No central file storage.
• Both devices generally need to be online during transfer.

Local network only

If you're mostly moving files between your own devices at home or work:

• LocalSend requires no internet service or cloud account.
• Transfers occur directly over your local network.
• Available for Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iPhone.

Things to know

Most internet-based P2P services still use a signaling server to help two peers find each other. That server typically exchanges only connection metadata—it does not receive or store the file itself. Once the connection is established, the file streams directly between the two devices.

If your goal is maximum privacy with zero reliance on a third party for file storage, my recommendations are:

• Syncthing for ongoing synchronization.
• LocalSend for transfers on the same LAN.
• PairDrop for one-time browser-to-browser transfers over the internet.