# ButterShare

> ButterShare is a free, browser-based file transfer tool that streams files directly between two devices (device-to-device) through encrypted browser connections. There is no cloud storage, no file size limit, and no account required.

ButterShare — also known as "AirDrop for any device" — works in any modern browser on iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and Linux. Files move through a private browser connection between the two devices; ButterShare only helps create the room and never receives file bytes.

## Key facts

- **File size limit:** None. Transfers are bounded only by the devices' own disk space. 100GB+ transfers have been tested.
- **Cloud storage:** Zero bytes stored. No upload, no cache, no retention.
- **Encryption:** transfers use an encrypted browser connection between the paired devices.
- **Account required:** No. Neither sender nor recipient signs up or installs an app.
- **Price:** Free, with no transfer caps and no paid tier.
- **Pairing:** 6-character room code, shareable link, or QR code.
- **Live metrics:** transfer speed (MB/s), percentage, and ETA shown to both peers.
- **Folders:** Drag-and-drop a whole folder; it is packaged in-browser with its directory structure preserved.
- **Large files:** Streams directly to disk via the File System Access API where supported, with a progressive in-memory fallback.

## How it works

1. The sender drops files into ButterShare and gets a 6-character room code.
2. The receiver opens the link or enters the code — no sign-up.
3. The two browsers establish a direct, encrypted device-to-device connection.
4. File bytes stream device to device. Nothing is stored on any server.

## Pages

- [Home](https://buttershare.com/): product overview, interactive transfer tool, feature comparison, and FAQ.
- [Receive](https://buttershare.com/receive): entry point for receiving a transfer with a room code.
- [Pricing](https://buttershare.com/pricing.txt): machine-readable pricing and plan limits.
- [Full knowledge file](https://buttershare.com/llms-full.txt): expanded agent-readable summary and all SEO landing pages.
- [SEO page index](https://buttershare.com/seo-pages.json): machine-readable list of landing pages, keywords, FAQs, and related URLs.
- [Guides & In-depth Articles](https://buttershare.com/blog/): technical tutorials, alternatives comparisons, and guides for sending 100GB+ files, AirDrop for Windows, and more.

## Comparison

ButterShare is a direct alternative to cloud-based transfer services:

- **WeTransfer** caps free transfers at 2GB and stores files on its servers for 7 days.
- **Google Drive** and **Dropbox** require an account, apply storage quotas (15GB / 2GB on free tiers), and store files indefinitely on their servers.

ButterShare has no size cap, requires no account, and stores nothing.

## Optional

- [FAQ](https://buttershare.com/#faq): questions covering file size limits, security, recipient requirements, folder transfers, and cost.
- [How it works](https://buttershare.com/#how-it-works): the three-step transfer flow.
- [Device transfer guides](https://buttershare.com/iphone-to-windows-file-transfer/): cross-platform transfer pages for iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, Linux, and Chromebook.
- [Alternatives](https://buttershare.com/wetransfer-alternative/): comparisons with WeTransfer, Snapdrop, PairDrop, LocalSend, Send Anywhere, ToffeeShare, and Wormhole.