Frequently asked questions
Everything you need to know about how BeemBridge works. Can't find your answer? Get in touch.
BeemBridge is a free, open-source file transfer application that lets any two devices share files of any size, directly and privately, regardless of operating system or physical location. It works in three modes: local (same Wi-Fi), online (cross-network, peer-to-peer), and browser (no install required).
Devices on the same Wi-Fi or LAN network discover each other instantly and transfer directly. No account, no internet connection, and no server is involved. Nothing leaves your local network.
Devices on completely different networks (in different cities or countries) connect peer-to-peer using a STUN server for initial discovery. The STUN server acts as a matchmaker and then steps aside entirely. Your file data travels directly between devices and never passes through any server. An account is required for online transfers.
Browser mode lets anyone send or receive files through a standard web browser on the local network, with no app install and no account required. It is designed for situations where the recipient cannot or does not want to install anything. Note: browser mode and the desktop app use different underlying technologies and are not directly compatible with each other.
No account is needed for local transfers or browser mode. An account is only required for online mode, where BeemBridge infrastructure helps two devices on separate networks find each other.
BeemBridge supports Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, and any modern browser. Install it once on any device and it works with every other device running BeemBridge, regardless of platform.
Yes, that is exactly the kind of transfer BeemBridge is built for. There are no ecosystem restrictions. A photographer on iPhone can send directly to a designer on Linux. A student on Android can send to a classmate on Windows. No compatibility check, no workaround.
Not currently. The app and browser mode use different underlying technologies and are not directly compatible with each other. Browser mode is designed for transfers between browser-mode users on the local network, making it useful for anyone who cannot or does not want to install the app.
Windows 10 or later, macOS 10.15 (Catalina) or later, and Ubuntu 18.04+ / CentOS 7+ on Linux. Android and iOS requirements will be published when the mobile apps launch.
No. In local mode, your data never leaves your Wi-Fi network. In online mode, the STUN server only helps two devices locate each other and then exits the transfer entirely: file data is sent directly between devices and is never stored or viewed by BeemBridge infrastructure.
A STUN server is a lightweight matchmaker. When two devices on different networks want to connect, the STUN server helps them discover each other's addresses and then steps aside. This is the same approach BitTorrent uses. It never sees or handles your files.
Yes. The full source code is publicly available on GitHub. Any developer, security researcher, or curious user can read exactly how BeemBridge works and verify every privacy claim. There are no black boxes.
Send Anywhere routes files through its servers, especially in online mode. Snapdrop uses a relay server with no verifiable guarantee about data handling. ShareDrop was acquired by Limewire in 2025 and now routes transfers through cloud infrastructure, abandoning its original P2P premise. BeemBridge is true peer-to-peer: your file data goes directly from your device to the recipient's, with no server in between.
No. If your network can move it, BeemBridge will move it. There are no tiers, no caps, and no upgrade prompts. This applies to both local and online transfers.
Transfer speed is limited only by your network connection. Because BeemBridge sends files directly between devices with no cloud intermediary adding an upload and a download cycle, you get the full speed your network allows.
No. Browser mode works entirely over your local network using WebRTC. No internet connection is needed, just both devices on the same Wi-Fi or LAN.
BeemBridge uses a STUN server to help devices establish a direct peer-to-peer connection across network boundaries. Support for complex network environments is an active area of development. If you run into a connection issue, reach out via the contact page and include your network setup.