LANBucket vs D-LAN
Both share files across a LAN using distributed transfers and automatic discovery.Where they differ is performance and ease of use.
TL;DR: D-LAN and LANBucket are very similar apps. Both do automatic peer discovery and distributed, multi-source downloads on a local network. LANBucket trades D-LAN's open source code, Linux and macOS support, and built-in chat for a simpler UI, on-the-fly compression, and faster overall transfers using custom netcode.
Feature comparison
| Feature | LANBucket | D-LAN |
|---|---|---|
| Distributed (many-to-many) transfers | Yes | Yes |
| Automatic peer discovery | Yes | Yes |
| Best in class performance | Yes | Partial. D-LAN is much faster than traditional file shares, but in testing we have measured LANBucket as much as ~2x faster than D-LAN. |
| No setup or configuration | Yes | Partial. D-LAN finds peers automatically, but you still choose which folders to share and where downloads go. |
| Share any file with drag & drop | Yes | Partial. D-LAN has supported drag-and-drop since version 1.4, but you have to navigate to its share list before you can drop files in. |
| Simple UI for non-technical users | Yes | No. D-LAN's interface assumes some comfort with networking and shared folders. |
| Automatic troubleshooting | Yes | No. D-LAN doesn't detect common network problems or suggest how to fix them. |
| On-the-fly compression | Yes | No. D-LAN sends files as-is, with no on-the-fly compression. |
| No account or sign-in required | Yes | Yes |
| Stays on your local network | Yes | Yes |
| Works without the internet | Yes | Yes |
| Linux support | No. LANBucket is Windows-only for now. | Yes. D-LAN has Linux builds, packaged as an AppImage. |
| macOS support | No. LANBucket is Windows-only for now. | Yes. Since version 1.3, D-LAN has macOS builds for Apple Silicon Macs on macOS 26 or newer. |
| Open source | No. LANBucket isn't open source. | Yes. D-LAN is open source. |
Where LANBucket pulls ahead
A friendlier interface
D-LAN's UI assumes some comfort with networking concepts. LANBucket is designed so a non-technical friend can install it and start sharing without a walkthrough.
Best in class performance
In testing on my equipment, I measured that LANBucket is up to 2x faster than D-LAN. This was when sharing a 10GB file from 1 computer to 8 others across a gigabit switch. While "your mileage may vary" I am confident that LANBucket is simply the fastest way to share files to many computers at once over a LAN. This performance is enabled by custom network level code deep in the LANBucket internals that attempts to optimize your transfers, and get the most out of your network equipment.
On-the-fly compression
LANBucket compresses transfers in real time, speeding up downloads, and saving users time since they won't need to zip up their files ahead of time.
Where D-LAN pulls ahead
Open source, Linux, and macOS support
D-LAN is open source and offers Linux and macOS builds alongside Windows. If you run a network with a mix of Windows, Linux, and Mac machines, or you want open-source software, D-LAN covers ground LANBucket doesn't. LANBucket is Windows-only for now.
Built-in chat and browsing
D-LAN includes chat and lets you browse other people's shared folders, which some LAN groups like for coordination.
Poweruser features
Has features targetted at power users, such as saved sharing folders, and various tunable network settings, and a headless mode. LANBucket is targetted at beginngers, and does not include these things.
Which should you use?
Choose LANBucket if everyone's on Windows and you want the fastest and simplest path from "installed" to "sharing".
Choose D-LAN if you need Linux or macOS support or open-source software, need chat support, or prefer its folder-browsing model.
Get LANBucket free
Free on the Microsoft Store. No account, no ads, no internet required.