Payload – Cross-platform desktop app for LAN file transfers
Hi HN. I built Payload to make file transfers easy for less-technical users who need large/fast transfers, so I have focused on auto-discovery, drag-and-drop, visually distinct device icons. It's using Tauri (an "Electron alternative" built on Rust) which keeps my binaries small and bundles to .msi, .dmg, .deb and .appimage. No CLI, iOS or Android support (yet). The network stack is a separate binary written in Go. It uses mDNS for local network discovery and TLS over TCP or Quic, with a public Ed25519 keypair for each device. The protocol is ad-hoc and symmetrical control stream using…
Payload – Cross-platform desktop app for LAN file transfers launched on July 14, 2022 with 65 votes, #589 of 2,916 launches that month and more than 90% of that year's launches. The site was still online in September 2026, 4 years on.
In plain words
Payload is a desktop application for transferring files quickly across local networks. It is designed for non-technical users and emphasizes ease of use through automatic device discovery, drag-and-drop functionality, and clear visual indicators. The app runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux, uses encrypted connections with TLS, and is built with Rust and Go for efficient performance.
written from the facts on this page · September 2026
From the sources
Device-to-device file transfers, both nearby and online. No size limits, secure, and incredibly fast.
Directly from one device to another. Intuitive, secure and incredibly fast. FREE FOREVER Nearby When you’re on the same local network. Discover nearby devices automatically. For homes, small offices & coworking spaces. FREE Online Transfer with anyone, anywhere and deliver on time. Share a link to connect with people in seconds. Transfer at the full speed of your internet connection. Large Media All file sizes are welcome (but Payload secretly prefers terabytes of raw video). Payload runs on desktops, laptops, smartphones and even tablets. Accelerated transfer speeds, as fast as your network allows. All transfers are end-to-end encrypted. Nobody else can see your files, including us. If a…from payload.app
In the maker’s words, at launch
Hi HN. I built Payload to make file transfers easy for less-technical users who need large/fast transfers, so I have focused on auto-discovery, drag-and-drop, visually distinct device icons. It's using Tauri (an "Electron alternative" built on Rust) which keeps my binaries small and bundles to .msi, .dmg, .deb…
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