In 2022, Payload launched as an app to transfer files between nearby devices, on the same local network. Since then, thousands of people around the world have used it to send documents, videos, photos, and even games — typically between their own computers over home WiFi.
Today, we’re launching online transfers, in beta. That means you can transfer over the internet, with anyone in the world. Devices with a green dot are online, and those with a blue dot are nearby. It’s that simple.
Connect with a link
To onboard friends and collaborators, copy your device link in the app and share it over chat or email. This link includes all the details they need to connect with you. After that, you can drag and drop files as usual.
Whether a device was initially discovered nearby or added through a link, they’ll remain in your contact list for future transfers. Payload always prefers nearby transfers, if available.
Data plans, with guest access
Nearby transfers remain free and unlimited, but to transfer online you’ll need a data plan. Sign up with your email in the app, and we’ll give you plenty of free monthly data. If you have bigger needs you can upgrade anytime — no pressure.
So… Does everyone need an account? No — if you have data, you can transfer with anyone else — they don’t need to sign up. New users can start as guests and sign up later, if they want to.
What makes Payload different
Unlike most products, Payload is purpose-built for file transfers. If you work with large media — like photography, video editing, podcasting, or music production — or handle sensitive documents, you may have already hit the limits of other tools. File sharing is typically shoehorned into products built for other purposes, like chat, email and cloud storage. Even file hosting products aren’t made for transfers (but more on that in a different post).
So what makes Payload so special? For starters, all transfers are end-to-end encrypted, which means your files stay private and can’t be accessed by us or anyone else. Secondly, there are no file size limits, and we’re obsessed with getting you the highest possible speeds. But it’s also the “little things”, like resuming after a hard drive is unplugged, or you close your laptop lid.
You be the judge
We have lots of opinions about file transfers, but to build the best file transfer app, we need to hear from you — what we’re doing right, and where we can improve. Are you getting the speeds you expect? Do you need an Android version? Or maybe you want Payload in French? Let us know!