LocalBeam vs. AirDrop
AirDrop is fast and built into every Apple device, but it only works between Apple devices. LocalBeam uses the browser instead, so it works no matter what hardware is on each end.
| LocalBeam | AirDrop | |
|---|---|---|
| Platforms | Any device with a browser | Apple devices only |
| Install required | None - runs in the browser | Built into iOS/macOS |
| File size limit | No hard limit | No hard limit |
| Where files go | Direct device-to-device | Direct device-to-device |
Which should you use?
Stick with AirDrop if everyone involved is on an iPhone or Mac - it's tightly integrated and needs zero setup. Reach for LocalBeam the moment an Android phone, Windows laptop, or Linux machine is involved.