Inside localsend: an open-source Flutter app worth studying

An open-source cross-platform alternative to AirDrop.

CategoryApp/Template
Stars★ 85,396
Last update2026-07-16
PriorityHigh

localsend is an open-source open-source app / starter template for Flutter mobile app development, with 85,396★ on GitHub and last updated on 2026-07-16. This guide covers what localsend does, why it matters in 2026, how to add it to your project, when to reach for it, and how it compares to the alternatives — plus a quick FAQ.

What is localsend?

An open-source cross-platform alternative to AirDrop. It focuses on learning from a complete, real-world Flutter codebase. The project lives at localsend/localsend and is maintained by localsend.

Why localsend is worth knowing in 2026

localsend carries 85,396 GitHub stars, 4,686 forks, 1,043 open issues. It has been around since 2022, and is actively maintained (updated within the last month). For a App/Template option, that combination of adoption and upkeep usually means a healthy community, production usage, and plenty of examples to learn from — the things that make a dependency safe to build on.

Running localsend

localsend is a complete project you can clone and run. Make sure you have the Flutter SDK installed, then:

git clone https://github.com/localsend/localsend.git
cd localsend
flutter pub get
flutter run

From there, read through the project structure to see how a real Flutter app is organised — routing, state, data access, and UI — and fork it as a starting point for your own build.

When should you use localsend?

Reach for localsend when:

  • you want a production-grade example to study or fork
  • you’re bootstrapping a new app from a proven starter
  • you learn best by reading complete projects

It’s especially relevant if your project touches dart, file-sharing, flutter, flutter-apps.

localsend vs. the alternatives

If you’re weighing options in the App/Template space, these are the other projects developers most often compare localsend against:

There’s no single winner — the right pick depends on your app’s size, your team’s familiarity, and your performance budget. Browse the full App/Template collection to compare them side by side.

Frequently asked questions

Is localsend free to use?

Yes. localsend is open source and free to use in your Flutter projects. You can view the source, report issues, and contribute on GitHub.

Does localsend work on both iOS and Android?

localsend is built for Flutter, so it targets iOS and Android from a single codebase, and typically web and desktop too depending on the project’s platform support.

As of 2026, localsend has around 85,396 stars and 4,686 forks on GitHub, which puts it among the more widely used options in the App/Template space.

What are good alternatives to localsend?

Popular alternatives in the App/Template category include immich, open-source-ios-apps, spotube. The best choice depends on your app’s size, team, and performance needs.

Resources & links

Part of FlutterCook — 500 hands-on guides to the best open-source Flutter libraries, UI kits, and apps. Explore the live GitHub trends or browse YouTube guides.

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