ButterShare icon

ButterShare

ButterShare is a browser-based peer-to-peer file-transfer service for sending files and folders directly between iPhone, Android, Windows, and Mac devices. It offers link-based sharing without signup or stated file-size limits, with transfers streamed through an encrypted browser connection instead of cloud storage.

ButterShare

Direct file transfer without cloud storage

ButterShare is a browser-based peer-to-peer file-transfer service for sending large files and folders directly between devices. It is intended for transfers that may be awkward to upload to conventional cloud storage, including 10GB, 50GB, and 200GB-plus payloads. The service states that it has no file-size limit, requires no signup, and does not use cloud storage for the file bytes.

The workflow is short: choose files or a folder, create a share link or QR code, and have the recipient connect through a browser. Once connected, ButterShare streams the transfer between the devices through an encrypted browser connection. It lists support for iPhone, Android, Windows, and Mac, while the site does not specify every browser or device compatibility detail.

Key features

Large file and folder transfers

Send individual files, multiple files, or complete folders without a stated file-size cap, including large video, archive, and project packages.

Link and QR-code sharing

The sender creates an instant share link or QR code and can pass it through email, iMessage, WhatsApp, Slack, or another ordinary messaging channel.

Direct device-to-device streaming

After the recipient connects, data streams directly between the two devices through an encrypted browser connection rather than being saved to an intermediary cloud database.

Encrypted browser transfers

The site describes 64KB chunks sealed with cryptographic keys held by the connected devices, with no server decryption in the transfer path.

Disk streaming for large payloads

Direct disk streaming uses the File System Access API to write large transfers in chunks, allowing files larger than a computer's RAM to be handled.

Folder structure preservation

Nested directories can be sent as folders while preserving their hierarchy, so recipients receive the project structure rather than a flattened file list.

Practical use cases

  • Video production handoffs

    Send raw footage, 4K video, ProRes exports, or other large media packages to a director, editor, or colorist without first placing them in a shared cloud drive.

  • Game and 3D project transfers

    Move Unreal Engine builds, Blender assets, Unity projects, FBX files, or other large development packages between machines or collaborators.

  • Developer and DevOps workflows

    Share database dumps, Docker archives, Linux ISOs, and other sizeable technical files between development or operations machines while retaining the original files.

  • Audio collaboration

    Deliver album masters, multitrack sessions, and high-resolution WAV stems to musicians or engineers as a single organized transfer.

  • Sensitive project exchanges

    Transfer confidential project folders, audits, or research datasets when avoiding third-party cloud file storage is an important workflow requirement.

Pros and Cons

Pros

  • No stated file-size cap, making the service suitable for multi-gigabyte files and large folders.
  • No account or companion app is required for the stated workflow; recipients can use a shared browser link.
  • Files are described as streaming directly between devices instead of being stored in an intermediary cloud database.
  • Folder hierarchies can be preserved, and large transfers can be written to disk in chunks.

Cons

  • Both devices need to remain connected to the transfer session; the site does not document link duration, restart behavior, or all failure-recovery options.
  • Detailed browser compatibility, transfer persistence, and recipient-side requirements beyond browser access are not specified in the available product material.

FAQ

How does ButterShare work?

Select files or a folder, create a share link or QR code, and send it through a channel such as email, iMessage, WhatsApp, or Slack. When the recipient connects, the files stream between the devices through an encrypted browser connection.

Are there file-size limits?

The source describes ButterShare as having no file-size cap and gives examples including 10GB, 50GB, and 200GB-plus transfers. Large folders can be streamed in chunks rather than loaded entirely into memory.

Does the recipient need an app or account?

No. The recipient uses the shared link in a browser and does not need to install an app, create an account, or register, according to the product site.

Which devices does ButterShare support?

ButterShare lists support for iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and major browsers. It is designed to work in a browser tab without a companion app or cable.

Are transferred files stored in the cloud?

The product says that files are streamed directly between connected devices, are encrypted in the browser, and are not saved to cloud storage. The site does not document the full transfer-link lifecycle or every operational limitation.

Quick Facts

Category
Peer-to-peer file transfer
Access model
Browser-based; no signup stated
Supported device families
iPhone, Android, Windows, and Mac
Transfer model
Direct device-to-device streaming
File handling
Files and folders; no stated size limit
Source domain
buttershare.com