In the test: programs and services for cross-system file transfer

From smartphone to PC, from Mac to Windows computer, from cell phone to cell phone – all too often you are faced with the task of transferring files from one device to another as easily as possible. What only makes Apple users, spoiled by the AirDrop tool, smile wearily, forces you to take detours in mixed system environments. The files are then attached to emails, included in a WhatsApp message or uploaded to a cloud storage, for which a sharing link must then be sent. Cloud-based sending services are also available for larger files. All of this works, but is cumbersome and brings with it other problems: email addresses must be known, mail providers limit file sizes, messengers compress image files without asking, and some cloud storage services with sharing options raise data protection issues.

There is an AirDrop counterpart for Android called QuickShare, which also communicates with Windows computers thanks to a special app. However, it leaves Apple and Linux users out. Fortunately, there are free tools that can be used to transfer files, directories and text messages across all system boundaries without intermediate storage on a third-party server.

We looked at six of them: CoupleDrop, ShareDrop and ToffeeShare are web applications and work with every known browser. Local Sending, LANDrop and KDE connection are independently installable apps for various desktop and mobile systems. Both the web apps and the installed applications work without registration or an account.

This was the excerpt from our heise Plus article “Tested: Programs and services for cross-system file transfer”. With a heise Plus subscription you can read and listen to the entire article.