Comparison

Zapya vs LocalSend

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Zapya

Share files between devices wirelessly and quickly, even large amounts of data. Connect with nearby users via GPS or QR codes. Secure your private files and chat offline with friends.

Highlights
  • Wireless file transfer
  • Cross-platform sharing
  • Fast transfer speeds
  • Nearby device discovery (GPS)
  • QR code sharing
  • Hidden folder for private files
  • Offline chat
  • Remote camera control (PeerCam)
Features
Read full description

File sharing has never been simpler! Without the need of a cable or cellular data, you can share files from device to device for free with Zapya. Zapya allows you to seamlessly transfer massive files across multiple platforms with speeds up to 10MB/second or up to 260 pictures in a minute. Looking to quickly connect with someone nearby? With the support of GPS location, Zapya provides a fast and accurate way to find nearby devices. You can also shake your devices at the same time in order to connect. Zapya can support USB Backup and Restore on iPad. Another way to connect on Zapya is via QR Codes. You can generate a personalized QR code in order to share multiple files at once. Others just need to scan the QR code to have the files to instantly start downloading onto their phone. Without touching your keyboard, you can share files to others! If you have important files on your device that you do not want others to have access to, you can select and lock those files into a hidden folder. By doing this, the next time you go to share files with someone; they will not be able to see or access those files. Besides sharing files, you can chat offline with up to five other devices using Zapya. You can also move the phone log and photos from your old device to your new phone in a matter of minutes. Or if you want to take photos remotely, you can use the PeerCam feature and control the camera of a connected device with peer permission. If you like Zapya, please give us reviews and high ratings. Your support is much appreciated! If you experience any issues or have any suggestions, please send feedback to us within the app or contact: feedback@dewmobile.net. Disclaimer: This app may use your location even when it is not open, which can decrease device battery life.

About

LocalSend

Securely share files offline and without the internet. This app offers fast, encrypted peer-to-peer transfers across multiple platforms, ensuring privacy and data integrity. Ideal for professionals and teams needing reliable, secure file sharing in sensitive environments.

Highlights
  • Offline file transfer over Wi-Fi/LAN
  • End-to-end TLS encryption
  • Cross-platform compatibility (iOS, Android, Windows, macOS, Linux)
  • No internet required
  • No tracking or data collection
  • Open-source and transparent
Features
Currently charting
Read full description

LocalSend is a secure, offline-first file transfer solution, purpose-built for professionals, teams, and organizations operating in high-trust, security-critical environments. With over 8 million downloads globally, LocalSend enables fast, encrypted peer-to-peer file sharing — without the cloud, without internet access, and without surveillance. Fully offline operation – transfer files over local Wi-Fi or LAN, no internet required End-to-end TLS encryption – full confidentiality and integrity of your data Cross-platform compatibility – available on iOS, Android, Windows, macOS, and Linux No tracking, no data collection, no ads Open-source & fully transparent – trusted worldwide in defense, critical infrastructure, and secure enterprise environments Designed for use cases where control, privacy, and operational integrity are non-negotiable. Ideal for deployment in corporate networks, mobile field units, temporary infrastructures, and air-gapped or connectivity-constrained environments.

Screenshots

Zapya4 screens
LocalSend4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Zapya at none against LocalSend's 4. Zapya also leads on ratings volume (33K vs 661). LocalSend's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and review sentiment (82% vs 62%). On price, rating, update cadence and device support there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. LocalSend sells 4 one-off in-app purchases. Zapya asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.6 for Zapya against 4.5 for LocalSend. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Zapya has 33K ratings behind it against 661, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 62% of Zapya's written reviews are positive against 82% of LocalSend's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Zapya ships an update every 10 days, LocalSend every 11 days. The most recent releases landed on September 25, 2026 and September 24, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 5 level
Zapya versus LocalSend: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterZapyaLocalSend
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.6 (33K ratings) — better4.5 (661 ratings)
Positive reviews62.3% of reviews81.6% of reviews — better
Number of ratings33K — better661
Update frequencyEvery 10 days — betterEvery 11 days
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationAd-supported — betterFree with in-app purchases
Best chart rank—#106 — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — better
Requires iOS13.013.0
Further details — not scored
Size80 MB73 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperDewMobile, IncTien Do Nam

Customer experience

Zapya

All ratings33,330 ratings
Positive88.0%
Neutral4.9%
Negative7.1%
Written reviews782 reviews
Positive62.3%
Neutral6.9%
Negative30.8%

LocalSend

All ratings661 ratings
Positive87.7%
Neutral2.7%
Negative9.5%
Written reviews629 reviews
Positive81.6%
Neutral5.1%
Negative13.4%

User reviews

Zapya

From 33K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Fast file transfer
  • 👍 Easy to use
  • 💡 Useful for bridging iOS and non-Apple devices

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Frequent crashes and connection issues
  • 🔋 Drains battery
  • 🔒 Privacy concerns
  • 🤖 Compatibility problems with newer iOS versions

LocalSend

From 661 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Cross-platform file transfer
  • 👍 Simple and intuitive interface
  • 🔒 Open-source and no ads
  • 🚀 Fast and reliable file transfers
  • 👍 Works seamlessly between devices

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Occasional connection issues
  • 🐛 Bugs with file selection and transfer
  • 🐛 Inconsistent performance across platforms
  • 🐛 Lack of a 'select all' option for media

Bugs and requests

Zapya

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • App freezes on startup
  • Unable to connect to PC or other devices
  • Transferred files have unknown extensions
  • Unexpected folder creation in photo albums

Requested features

3 requests
  • Dark mode option
  • Improved video player functionality
  • Better support for music file transfers

LocalSend

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • App crashes after device hibernation
  • Transferred files not appearing in device gallery
  • Inability to delete transferred files from app
  • Compatibility issues with certain OS versions

Requested features

4 requests
  • Add a 'select all' option for media files
  • Improve file organization and management
  • Implement background/automatic file transfer
  • Add support for wired file transfers

In-app purchases

None

Zapya

No in-app purchases

4 purchases

LocalSend

One-time4
  • LocalSend Donation$5.00
  • LocalSend Donation$10.00
  • LocalSend Donation$20.00
Show 1 more
  • LocalSend Donation$50.00

Questions

Is Zapya free?
Zapya is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is LocalSend free?
LocalSend is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Zapya or LocalSend?
Zapya is rated higher. Zapya averages 4.6 out of 5 from 33K ratings, while LocalSend averages 4.5 from 661 ratings.
Do Zapya or LocalSend have ads?
Zapya shows ads; LocalSend does not.
Which is updated more often, Zapya or LocalSend?
Zapya ships an update every 10 days, and LocalSend every 11 days. Most recently, Zapya was updated on September 25, 2026 and LocalSend on September 24, 2026.

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