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

Yes. The best option depends on whether you need local-network transfers or transfers over the Internet.

Best choices

• localsend.org — Best for sending files between devices on the same Wi-Fi/LAN. It is open source, cross-platform (Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS), requires no account, and transfers happen directly between devices without cloud storage or third-party servers.
• syncthing.net — Best if you want ongoing peer-to-peer synchronization, including between devices over the Internet. Your files remain on your own devices rather than being uploaded to a central storage service; communication is encrypted.
• LocSend — A newer browser/WebRTC option that specifically offers direct P2P transfers and even a "true offline" mode where signaling can be exchanged manually.

My recommendation

If you mean "I want to send a file to someone without uploading it anywhere first", I'd start with LocalSend if you're physically on the same network.

If you mean "I want to send a file to someone across the Internet, directly from my computer to theirs, with no central file-storage server", Syncthing is the more established choice. One caveat: NAT/firewall conditions can affect whether a truly direct connection is possible, and Syncthing may use infrastructure for discovery/connection assistance without storing your file data.

If you tell me Windows/Mac/Linux/Android/iPhone and whether the recipient is on the same Wi-Fi or somewhere else on the Internet, I can recommend the simplest option.

For a true peer-to-peer (P2P) file transfer that doesn't store your files on an intermediary cloud server, you want a tool powered by WebRTC (Web Real-Time Communication). These services use a lightweight signaling server just to connect the two browsers, after which the data streams directly device-to-device, fully encrypted, and completely bypassing disk storage on any server.

The best browser-based, no-install P2P file transfer services include:

• PairDrop — An open-source, spiritual successor to Apple’s AirDrop. It allows you to share files locally on the same network or securely across the internet with temporary public rooms without signing up.
• ToffeeShare — Streams files directly from your device with no file size limits. Because it is entirely P2P, the sending device must remain online and keep the browser tab open until the transfer completes.
• FilePizza — A classic open-source, peer-to-peer file-sharing web app. When you select a file, it acts as a web seed, and the peer downloads it directly from your browser connection.
• LocalSend — An open-source, cross-platform app if you prefer a dedicated tool rather than a website. It works completely offline on a local Wi-Fi network without routing data through the internet.
• Instant.io — Powered by WebTorrent, this lets you stream file transfers peer-to-peer directly in the browser via torrent magnet links.

Note: Because these are true P2P connections, the sending device must stay powered on and keep the browser/app open during the entire duration of the transfer.

Would you prefer a browser-based tool that works instantly via a link, or a local network tool (like LocalSend) for sharing between devices in the same room/house?

Several browser-based and client-side options utilize WebRTC or direct P2P protocols to stream data straight from your device. Because there is no central server storage, both sender and receiver must keep their browser tabs or apps open during the transfer.

The best tools for this approach include:

• ToffeeShare - A browser-based P2P file transfer service with no file size limits. Data is streamed directly via WebRTC (end-to-end encrypted with DTLS 1.3), meaning if you are on the same local network, the data doesn't even leave your environment. Closing the tab instantly ends the transfer.
• PairDrop - An open-source, multi-platform local and remote sharing tool (inspired by Apple's AirDrop) that allows direct peer-to-peer device sharing via your browser.
• FilePizza - A classic web-based P2P file transfer tool that uses WebRTC to connect the browser of the sender directly to the browser of the receiver, bypassing server storage entirely.
• LocalSend - If you are transferring files between devices on the same local network (Wi-Fi/LAN), this open-source app is fully serverless, extremely fast, and requires no active internet connection.
• Magic Wormhole - For command-line users, this protocol uses a short, human-readable passphrase (like "7-correct-horse") to safely establish a direct, end-to-end encrypted P2P connection between two machines.

Note: A lightweight "signaling" server is technically used initially by browser tools just to help the two peers find each other and shake hands, but your actual files never pass through or touch that server.

Would you prefer a purely in-browser tool (like ToffeeShare or FilePizza) or a local app/CLI tool (like LocalSend or Magic Wormhole)?

Yes. If your requirement is peer-to-peer with no central file storage, there are several good options:

• syncthing.net — best overall for ongoing transfers/sync. It is fully peer-to-peer, encrypted, and explicitly does not store your data on a central server. It works well between computers, servers, and NAS devices.
• pairdrop.net — easiest for one-off transfers. It's browser-based and uses WebRTC to transfer files directly. On the same network, files don't go through a server. Caveat: across the Internet, a TURN relay can be used if a direct connection can't be established, so it isn't guaranteed to be server-free in every situation.
• localsend.org — excellent for devices on the same Wi-Fi/LAN. Open source, cross-platform, encrypted, and doesn't require Internet access or external servers.
• zsync.eu — closest match if you specifically mean no relay whatsoever. It advertises direct device-to-device transfers over the Internet without a relay/cloud server, with end-to-end encryption.

My recommendation

If you mean "I want to send a file to someone remotely, and I don't want the file stored or relayed by a third-party server", I'd look at ZWormHole first.

If you're transferring between your own computers regularly, use Syncthing.

If both devices are on the same network, LocalSend is probably the simplest.

If you tell me whether you're transferring over the Internet or just on the same Wi-Fi, and what devices you're using (Windows/Mac/Linux/iPhone/Android), I can narrow it down to the best one.

Yes. If your key requirement is peer-to-peer transfer where the file itself is never stored on a central server, these are the strongest options I found:

My picks

1. Floe — best if you want something like WeTransfer without file storage.
You open the site, select a file, share the generated link/code, and the recipient downloads directly from your device. The signaling server helps establish the connection, but doesn't store the files. If a direct connection isn't possible, encrypted traffic can go through a relay, but the relay can't read the contents.

2. LocalSend — best for truly server-free local transfers.
It works entirely over your local network, doesn't require an internet connection or third-party server, and is available for Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS.

3. PairDrop — best browser-based alternative.
It's essentially an open-source, cross-platform AirDrop. Devices establish WebRTC connections and transfer files directly; you can also self-host it if you don't want to rely on the public instance.

4. Syncthing — best for ongoing device-to-device synchronization.
It explicitly has no central server storing your data; files remain on your participating computers and communication is TLS-protected. It's more of a synchronization system than a one-off file-transfer website.

If you mean literally "the server must never receive even encrypted file data," I'd choose Floe or LocalSend depending on whether the devices are on the same network. Floe is particularly convenient for transferring to someone remotely.

For direct browser-to-browser or device-to-device transfers without cloud storage, the best tools include ShareDrop, Snapdrop , and Magic Wormhole . These services use WebRTC or direct network sockets to establish a peer-to-peer (P2P) connection, meaning your files stream straight from your device to the recipient and are never saved on a central third-party server.

Top Peer-to-Peer File Transfer Services

• ShareDrop : Built on WebRTC, it lets you share files directly between devices in the same local network or globally by sharing a unique room link. The server only handles the initial handshake connection.
• Snapdrop : An open-source, web-based local file-sharing clone of Apple's AirDrop. It allows nearby devices on the same network to discover each other and transfer files peer-to-peer through the browser without uploading anything to the cloud.
• Magic Wormhole : A command-line utility that lets you safely send bulk files and directories from one computer to another using short, human-readable passphrases (e.g., "7-hello-guitar"). It establishes a direct encrypted TCP/transit connection between the two systems.
• Croc : Another robust, terminal-based P2P tool written in Go that allows any two computers to send folders and files with end-to-end encryption, utilizing a relay server only if a direct connection cannot be negotiated behind strict NAT/firewalls.

If you want to narrow down the right option, let me know:

• Do you need a web browser interface or a command-line tool?
• Are the devices on the same local Wi-Fi network or communicating remotely over the internet?

For peer-to-peer file transfers that do not store files on a central server, services using WebRTC (Web Real-Time Communication) technology are the ideal solution. These platforms use a lightweight "signaling" server only to help two browsers or devices find each other and establish a handshake. Once connected, the actual file streams directly from your device to the recipient's device, meaning your files never touch or get stored on any cloud server.

Top options for browser-based and local peer-to-peer file sharing include:

• ToffeeShare : A completely serverless, peer-to-peer file-sharing tool with no file size limits. Because it streams straight from your device, you simply leave your browser tab open during the transfer; closing the tab immediately cuts off access.
• ShareDrop : Inspired by Apple's AirDrop, ShareDrop lets you securely transfer files directly between devices over the internet or a local network via WebRTC without uploading anything to an intermediate server.
• PairDrop : An open-source, multi-platform alternative that allows local and cross-network peer-to-peer file sharing with zero sign-up or server storage.
• LocalSend : A free, open-source app for local network peer-to-peer sharing across Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS that requires no internet connection or central servers at all.

Would you prefer a browser-based tool that works via a link/code, or a local application to share files between devices on the same Wi-Fi network?

Yes. If your requirement is “files should go directly from one device to another and never be uploaded to a central file-storage server,” these are the strongest options:

My recommendation: Syncthing

Syncthing is probably the closest match to what you're asking for. It explicitly says that none of your data is stored anywhere other than your own computers and that there is no central server storing the files. Transfers are encrypted with TLS.

You install it on both devices, pair them, and designate folders to share. It can work across the Internet, not just on your local network.

If you just want to send a file

LocalSend is much simpler. It works between Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS, with transfers staying on your local network. No account or server is required.

Magic Wormhole is another good choice for remote one-off transfers. It normally establishes a direct connection, but can fall back to an encrypted relay if the two devices can't connect directly. Importantly, the relay doesn't become a storage location for your files.

One caveat: Wormhole.app itself isn't a strict match for your requirement, because files up to 5 GB can be stored on its servers for 24 hours; larger files use P2P.

If you tell me whether the two devices are on the same network or across the Internet, and their operating systems (Windows/Mac/Linux/iPhone/Android), I can narrow this to the best one.

Yes. The key distinction is whether you mean no file storage on a server or no server involvement at all.

Best options

LocalSend — best for devices on the same network

• Direct device-to-device transfer over your LAN/Wi-Fi.
• No cloud storage, account, or central file server.
• Open source and encrypted.
• Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS.
• Works without Internet.
• My first choice if the two devices are nearby.

Syncthing — best for ongoing synchronization

• Files remain on your own devices; Syncthing explicitly says there is no central server storing your data.
• Directly synchronizes folders between devices.
• TLS-encrypted and authenticated.
• Particularly good if you want two computers to automatically keep folders synchronized rather than manually send individual files.

If the devices are on different networks

Magic Wormhole is worth considering, especially if you're comfortable with a command line. It transfers files using a short one-time code and attempts direct peer-to-peer connections.

However, there's an important caveat: its infrastructure can use relays when a direct connection isn't possible. So it isn't equivalent to "the network infrastructure has absolutely nothing to do with the transfer."

Likewise, Wormhole.app is not a strict match for your requirement: files up to 5 GB can be temporarily stored on its servers, even though they're end-to-end encrypted.

My recommendation

If you mean:

"I want the file to travel directly from my computer to the other computer and never be uploaded to a cloud/server."

I'd use LocalSend for same-network transfers and Syncthing if you want persistent synchronization.

If you specifically need direct P2P across the Internet between two devices on different networks, with no server storing or relaying the file, tell me what devices you're using (e.g. Windows → iPhone, Mac → Windows, Linux → Android), and I can narrow it down.

Several browser-based and local application tools use WebRTC or local network protocols to stream files directly from device to device. Because they use direct data channels, your files never get stored, cached, or uploaded onto a central server's hard drive.

• PairDrop : A web-based, open-source tool inspired by Apple's AirDrop. It allows you to share files peer-to-peer with devices on the same local network or paired across the internet using a temporary room code, with no server-side file storage. Check it out at PairDrop.
• ToffeeShare : A direct peer-to-peer file transfer service that has no file size limits because the data streams straight from your device's browser to the recipient's browser. Use ToffeeShare to send files without intermediate cloud storage.
• LocalSend : An open-source, cross-platform app ideal if your devices are on the same local Wi-Fi network. It doesn't use any central server or even require an active internet connection, handling transfers entirely offline over your LAN. Find it at LocalSend.
• SendFiles : A browser-to-browser transfer utility that encrypts files client-side using a password you specify, ensuring the data passes directly to the receiver via WebRTC without touching an intermediary server. Visit SendFiles.
• Instant.io : A streaming client that uses WebTorrent in the browser to let you download and seed files peer-to-peer instantly from web links without uploading to a host. Try it at Instant.io.

Note: With pure browser-to-browser P2P tools, the sender must keep their browser tab open and active until the recipient finishes downloading the entire file.

Would you prefer a browser-based tool (no installation required) or a cross-platform desktop/mobile app ? Also, let me know if you are sharing files locally on the same Wi-Fi or remotely over the internet so I can narrow down the best fit.