Photon - file share (FOSS)

Abhilash Hegde

About this app

Photon is an open-source cross-platform file-transfer application built using flutter. It uses http to transfer files between devices. You can transfer files between devices that run Photon.(No wi-fi router is required ,you can use hotspot)


Platforms
- Android
- Windows
- Linux
- macOS


*Current features*

- Cross-platform support
For instance you can transfer files between Android and Windows

- Transfer multiple files
You can pick any number of files.

- Pick files faster
Pick and share multiple files faster.

- Smooth UI
Material You design.

- Open-source and ad free
Photon is open-source and completely free without any ads.

- Works between the devices connected via mobile-hotspot / between the
devices connected to same router (same local area network)**

- HTTPS and token based validation support on photon v3.0.0 and above

- Supports high-speed data transfer
Photon is capable of transferring files at a very high rate but it depends
upon the wi-fi bandwidth.
(No internet connection required)


*Note:
- 150mbps + speed is not a clickbait and its actually attainable with 5GHz wi-fi /hotspot. However if you are using 2.4GHz wi-fi/hotspot, it supports up-to 50-70mbps.*
- Photon doesn't support HTTPS on versions older than v3.0.0. Older versions use random code generation on url for security which is still vulnerable to bruteforce attack. Use HTTPS when possible and use photon within trusted networks.

Ratings and reviews

Works well. Speeds are okay, but not as fast as other apps like Snapdrop. The UI is nice and clean. I wish there is a web interface, though. Installation on Windows for a quick file transfer can deter many people from using Photon. I also ran through an error, so I had to install the 2015 Redistributable to fix it. Not the easiest app to install, but once it is installed, it's easy and simple. I like Photon.

I've tried many file sharing apps such as Mi Share, Zapya, SendAnywhere etc but all of them ask for tons of unnecessary permissions and the speed is mostly aweful with multiple failed attempts. This is probably the only app which asked for bare minimum permission and the speed is shockingly fast. It took lees than 5 minutes for me to send a 5GB file which usually takes more than 20-25 minutes through SendAnywhere. I would love to donate the developer to keep the project alive.

The app is amazing but there's a bug (maybe) whenever i connect my laptop with my mobile hotspot and share a file from laptop to Mobile it gives an average speed of 300mbps but if send a file from mobile to laptop then the speed drops to 50mbps which is the same speed i get if i switch my hotspot from 5ghz to 2.5ghz i use other apps and they seems to work fine maybe you can fix it other than that absolutely loved it

What’s new

- True folder share with preserving folder structure across all platforms
- HTTPS support on photon v3.0.0 and above with self-signed certificates
- Improved device discovery using mDNS
- Significant improvement in file(s) fetch time
- UI enhancements