QRDrop vs LightDrop
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side β with what reviewers say about each.
QRDrop
Read full descriptionHide full description
Transfer files without installing another app. QRDrop turns your iPhone, iPad, TV, or computer into a secure local file transfer portal. Simply open QRDrop on one device, scan the QR code from another device, and start transferring files directly through your web browserβno installation required on the receiving device. Whether you're sending photos to your TV, copying videos to your device, or sharing files with friends, QRDrop makes the process simple, fast, and private. Features β’ No app required on the second device β’ Scan a QR code to connect instantly β’ Fast local network (Wi-Fi/LAN) transfer β’ Upload and download files through any modern web browser β’ Support for photos, videos, documents, music, APKs, ZIP files, and more β’ Multiple file transfer β’ Large file support β’ Cross-platform compatibility β’ Clean and intuitive interface β’ No cloud upload β’ No account required Why QRDrop? Unlike traditional file transfer apps that require installation on every device, QRDrop only needs to be installed on one device. Simply: Open QRDrop Scan the QR code Transfer files instantly No registration. No cables. No cloud. No hassle. Perfect For β’ TV file transfer β’ iPhone β TV β’ iPhone β iPad β’ iPhone β Computer β’ Family sharing β’ Office file sharing β’ Classroom presentations β’ Local network transfer Privacy First Your files never pass through our servers. All transfers happen directly between devices on your local network whenever possible, giving you better privacy and faster speeds.
LightDrop
Read full descriptionHide full description
LightDrop moves files between two devices that share no network. One screen shows a QR code, the other device's camera reads it. No Wi-Fi, no Bluetooth, no cable, no account, no server β just light. WHEN YOU NEED IT β’ An air-gapped or locked-down machine that will never join your network. β’ A work computer where USB ports are disabled and cloud drives are blocked. β’ Guest Wi-Fi that isolates every client, or a hotel network you would rather not trust. β’ A second screen nearby when email, cloud drives, and cables are not an option. β’ Anywhere a file has to cross an air gap and email is not an option. HOW IT WORKS β’ Pick text or a file on the sending device. LightDrop turns it into an animated QR stream. β’ Point the receiving device's camera at that screen. Fragments land continuously and the progress grid fills in. β’ Fountain coding means order does not matter and a dropped frame never restarts the transfer β keep the camera pointed and it completes. TURBO TRANSFER (PRO) β’ A binary QR fountain that packs a full 8 bits per byte instead of encoding through text β 10β30Γ the throughput of standard mode. β’ Up to 2900 bytes per frame, at up to 30 frames per second. β’ LightDrop to LightDrop. Standard mode stays on as a compatible fallback, and the receiver recognises both automatically with nothing to configure. PASSWORD ENCRYPTION (PRO) β’ Encrypt the payload with a password before it ever reaches the screen. β’ A bystander's camera can record every QR code and still get nothing without the password. β’ Standard AES-GCM. Nothing leaves your device to make it work. IMAGES, HANDLED β’ Photos are compressed automatically before sending, so a normal picture takes a minute or two rather than ten. β’ The receiving device previews the image inline and saves it to your photo library in one tap. β’ Images are detected by file content, not by file extension. NO NETWORK MEANS NO NETWORK β’ No account. No sign-in. No email address. β’ No server ever receives your data, because there is no server. β’ No analytics SDK, no advertising identifier, no third-party trackers. β’ Works in airplane mode, in a shielded room, or on a machine that has never been online. ONE PURCHASE, EVERY DEVICE LightDrop is the same app on iPhone, iPad, and Mac. Pro unlocks on every device signed in to your Apple Account with a single purchase. PRICING β’ Monthly β 7-day free trial for eligible new subscribers, then renews automatically each month unless you cancel at least 24 hours before the trial ends. β’ Lifetime β pay once and own it, with Family Sharing for everyone in your group. GOOD TO KNOW β’ Transfer speed depends on the sending screen's size and brightness, the receiving camera, and how steady you hold the device. Keep both screens clean and reasonably close. β’ Large files take real time. LightDrop estimates the duration before you start, so the decision is yours. β Privacy Policy: https://yangworks.dev/lightdrop/privacy Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ LightDrop Pro Monthly is an auto-renewable subscription. Payment is charged to your Apple Account at confirmation of purchase. It renews automatically unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24 hours before the end of the current period; your account is charged for renewal within 24 hours before the period ends. Manage or cancel in your Apple Account settings after purchase. The Lifetime option is a one-time purchase with no renewal.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: QRDrop at none against LightDrop's 2. On price, ads, device support and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.
Scored on Price Β· Rating Β· Positive reviews Β· Number of ratings Β· Update frequency Β· Ads Β· In-app purchases Β· Monetization Β· Best chart rank Β· Devices Β· Requires iOS
Both are free to download. LightDrop sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month. QRDrop asks for nothing beyond the download.
| Parameter | QRDrop | LightDrop |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Update frequency | Every 6 days | β |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No β better | Yes |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, Mac |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 β better | 16.0 |
| Further details β not scored | ||
| Size | 32 MB | 4 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | ι« ε | ζ¨ ι« |
In-app purchases
QRDrop
No in-app purchases
LightDrop
- LightDrop Pro β Monthly7 Days trial$2.991 Month
- LightDrop Pro β Lifetime$19.99





