Even if you're an Android fan, you have to admit Apple's AirDrop is pretty handy, as it makes file transfers between iOS devices and Macs quick and easy. There's no need for USB cables or cloud software---you just look for other devices over Bluetooth or Wi-Fi and shoot the data over.

Google has an alternative called Nearby Share, but that only supports Android and Chrome OS currently. So if you want to share data with a PC, you'll need a separate app to do the job.

With these Android apps, you can send photos, apps, videos, and more from one device to another with ease.

1. ShareMe

This Xiaomi app is one of the most basic Android alternatives to AirDrop. To send a file to another phone, the other person needs to have the app installed too. To exchange, simply scan a QR code to share data over Bluetooth or Wi-Fi.

The Webshare option, meanwhile, creates an ad-hoc hotspot. Then other devices, including PCs, can access this to receive files. It's a bit awkward, as you need to generate a new SSID and password every time, but it works okay.

The easiest way to share files with a PC is the Share to PC function. Assuming your phone and computer are on the same Wi-Fi network, this sets up an FTP server, which you access from your PC's web browser. It doesn't, however, allow you to see thumbnails or select multiple files at once, as some AirDrop-like apps for Android do.

Download: ShareMe (Free)

2. Snapdrop

Technically, Snapdrop doesn't fit on this list, because it's not actually an Android app. Instead, it's a web app that you access from the web browser on your device---whether that's a smartphone or a desktop PC.

As soon as you open the Snapdrop web page, your device receives a name. You'll also see the names of any other devices on your network with that page open.

Tap or click on other users' icons to open a file browser. This lets you select what you want to send. Afterward, the other user gets the option to ignore or download the file.

Read More: How to Transfer Files From Android to PC

It's quick, simple, and open source, so there are no ads or costs.

Visit: Snapdrop (Free)

3. Zapya WebShare

WebShare lets you share apps between your phone and another device, using a graphical interface in your web browser.

From there, you can view photos, play videos and audio, share you phone's screen, and even remotely control the camera. Being able to see previews of files before you transfer them is perfect if you're looking for a particular image or video.

As a bonus, WebShare also includes a GIF maker, a video screen capture function, and a storage cleaner for your phone. Whether you see these as useful features or just bloat depends on your needs.

Unfortunately, there's no way to remove ads. This is a shame, because they can get a little irritating at times, frequently popping up and covering most of the screen.

Download: Zapya WebShare (Free)

4. Easy Share

To share files from one phone to another using this app, both must have Easy Share running. One person taps Share; the other selects Send.

Using a web browser, you can access Easy Share's HTTP server. The app gives you an IP address, which you type into your browser. This allows you to access and browse everything on your phone.

It looks similar to ShareMe's FTP browser, but with the added ability to upload files.

Easy Share isn't a particularly powerful app, but it's easy to use and the ads are unobtrusive. If they annoy you, upgrading for a small fee will remove the ads.

Download: Easy Share (Free)

5. Pushbullet

Pushbullet creates a link between your phone and your PC, allowing you not only to share files, but to also access and send text messages. File sharing works through an interface that looks a lot like a messaging app.

The free version works well, but limits some elements, like the size of the files you can send and the total storage you get. A Pushbullet Pro subscription increases those limits substantially, but it's not cheap.

Pushbullet also enables you to sign up for notification feeds, which will send you news and announcements from a variety of sources.

Download: Pushbullet (Free, subscription available)

6. AirDroid

AirDroid started out as just a way to transfer files from your phone to a desktop PC, but over time, it's grown to incorporate many more features. These days, it includes remote control functionality, screen recording, screen mirroring, backup options, and more.

Unlike most of the apps here, you have to sign in to use it. AirDroid lets you add up to two devices to your account. In terms of file transfers, the free version limits you to 30MB in size. That increases to 1GB for the premium edition---a yearly subscription, which is pretty expensive for what it is.

Assuming the free version's limits work for you, though, it's an excellent way to browse the contents of your phone on another device.

Download: AirDroid (Free, subscription available)

7. Sweech

Sweech works much like WebShare and AirDroid. It creates an IP address, which you type into a web browser on another device to open up the Sweech interface. From there, you can preview and download files, or upload data to your phone. This is all drag and drop, so it's a cinch to use.

You can also send files directly to another phone. Sweech will generate a unique URL for this, as well as a QR code that other phone users can scan with their camera. NFC and Android Beam work here too.

The premium version adds some useful features, such as password protection and encryption. But even without that upgrade, Sweech has no ads and no limitations on how much you can share.

Download: Sweech (Free, premium version available)

Choosing an Android Alternative to AirDrop

Maybe when Nearby Share is fully released for Chrome, it will become the default means of sharing files between devices. Until then, these apps offer a variety of ways to access the data on your phone and move files from one place to another without having to plug in a USB cable. If you're doing a full backup of your Android phone, though, you're probably better off with a direct cable connection.

Apps like WebShare let you to preview files before you transfer them; others, like ShareMe and Easy Share, offer a more stripped-down experience.

With these apps, you can access your files easily, and organize them efficiently, just as you would with a regular Android file manager.

Image Credit: Alexas_Fotos/Pixabay