Comparison

QuickDrop vs Instant Transfer

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

Head to head
About

QuickDrop

Easily send and receive photos, videos, and text files between Android, iPhone, iPad, and Mac devices on the same Wi-Fi network. Files are transmitted end-to-end encrypted directly over Wi-Fi, with received files stored in the Files app.

Highlights
  • Send and receive files over Wi-Fi
  • Cross-platform compatibility (Android, iOS, Mac)
  • End-to-end encrypted transmission
  • Files stored in the Files app
  • Open-source project
  • Clipboard sharing
Features
Read full description

With QuickDrop, you can seamlessly send and receive photos, videos, text files, and more between your Android phone and your iPhone, iPad or Mac using Quick Share on the same Wi-Fi network. Received files are stored in the Files app and transmitted with end-to-end encryption over Wi-Fi, so no cloud is involved in the process. To send files from your iPhone or iPad to your Mac or Android device, just select "Share" or tap the share icon for a file you want to transfer and choose "QuickDrop". If you don't see QuickDrop in the list, scroll right until you see "More", then choose "Edit" and enable the toggle for QuickDrop. Other devices on the same network with QuickDrop installed and running will appear automatically. You can also open QuickDrop, tap a device and choose one or more files from the Files app, choose one or more photos and videos, or send the contents of your clipboard. After that, you will see a notification on your other device, which allows you to accept or decline the file transfer. To receive files, you simply need to open the QuickDrop app. You can also download the optional QuickDrop Android app for additional features. Transfer files without a shared Wi-Fi network and mark devices as trusted to automatically accept incoming transfers. QuickDrop lets you send and receive files for free. Upgrade to QuickDrop+ for unrestricted transfer speeds and access to all current and future features. QuickDrop+ is available as a one-time purchase or a flexible subscription that you can cancel at any time. QuickDrop is an improved version of NearDrop. Nearby Share and Quick Share are trademarks of Google, LLC and Samsung Electronics. Android is a trademark of Google, LLC. This application is not affiliated with Google, LLC or Samsung Electronics. This application is governed by Apple’s standard Licensed Application End User License Agreement (EULA), available at https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

About

Instant Transfer

Transfer files between Android and iPhone without using mobile data. This app preserves original file quality and even supports Live Photos transfer between compatible devices.

Highlights
  • Data-free file transfer
  • Original file quality preserved
  • Live Photos transfer
  • No additional app installation required on Android
  • Supports OS 16.1+ on Android
Read full description

No data usage is required for transfer, and original files are sent without quality loss. It is the only way to transfer Live Photos between the above-mentioned Android phones and iPhones while retaining Live Photos playback functionality. Those Android phones require OS16.1 or later and no additional app installation.

Screenshots

QuickDrop4 screens
Instant Transfer4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Instant Transfer at none against QuickDrop's 3. Instant Transfer also leads on iOS requirement (14.0 vs 16.6). QuickDrop's advantage is review sentiment (69% vs 50%) and update cadence (every 11 days vs every 3 weeks). On price, ads 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. QuickDrop sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per month. Instant Transfer asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

QuickDrop ships an update every 11 days, Instant Transfer every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 26, 2026 and September 23, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
QuickDrop versus Instant Transfer: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterQuickDropInstant Transfer
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.7 (119 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews69.1% of reviews — better50.0% of reviews
Number of ratings119 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 11 days — betterEvery 3 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Mac — betteriPhone, iPod
Requires iOS16.614.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size41 MB43 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperLeon BoettgerShanghai Transsion Co.,Ltd.

Customer experience

QuickDrop

All ratings119 ratings
Positive93.3%
Neutral2.5%
Negative4.2%
Written reviews191 reviews
Positive69.1%
Neutral3.1%
Negative27.7%

Instant Transfer

Written reviews2 reviews
Positive50.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative50.0%

Bugs and requests

QuickDrop

Reported bugs

15 issues
  • App crashes during video transfer
  • Mac to Android transfer not working
  • File transfer fails
  • App does not open
  • Cannot close dialog box
Show 10 more
  • No way to share files after setup
  • Files always fail
  • Cable tethering requires separate app
  • File transfer errors
  • App crashes on first run
  • Wi-Fi network blocking communication alert
  • Cannot install on older Android versions
  • QuickDrop application not shown in extensions
  • Cannot delete app
  • Files not transferred even after following steps

Requested features

7 requests
  • Allow auto-accepting transfers without opening app on Android
  • Add Bluetooth file transfer
  • Keep image metadata (date taken)
  • Option to rename files before sending
  • Setting for automatic receiving of files
Show 2 more
  • Send Clipboard function
  • iOS version

Instant Transfer

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

3 purchases

QuickDrop

Subscriptions2
  • QuickDrop+ (1 Month)$3.991 Month
  • QuickDrop+ (1 Year)3 Days trial$9.991 Year
One-time1
  • QuickDrop+$12.99
None

Instant Transfer

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is QuickDrop free?
QuickDrop is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Instant Transfer free?
Instant Transfer is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do QuickDrop or Instant Transfer have ads?
Neither QuickDrop nor Instant Transfer shows ads.
Which is updated more often, QuickDrop or Instant Transfer?
QuickDrop ships an update every 11 days, and Instant Transfer every 3 weeks. Most recently, QuickDrop was updated on September 26, 2026 and Instant Transfer on September 23, 2026.

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