About
A smaller way to send a file.
epictransfer sends files directly between two browsers using a WebRTC data channel. The file is not uploaded to a server and is not stored anywhere.
How it works
A tiny signaling server introduces the two browsers. After that, the file moves over the encrypted peer-to-peer connection. The server only sees a random room id and the signaling messages needed to make the connection.
What it does not do
There is no account, no file storage, no relay, and no TURN service. Some strict networks cannot make a direct connection. In that case the transfer will fail rather than quietly route the file through a server.
Browser support
Chrome and Edge can stream a received file straight to disk. Firefox and Safari fall back to keeping the download in memory, which is not ideal for very large files.
Where the name comes from
This site is a homage to a comic by rebane2001 about an app that sends files straight between people. You can read the original tweet, and the comic pages are hosted at epictransfers.gay.
Questions
Is there a file size limit?
There is no fixed size limit. Chrome and Edge stream a received file straight to disk, so the practical limit is free space on each device. Firefox and Safari hold the download in memory while it arrives, which is slower for very large files.
Do my files get uploaded to a server?
No. File bytes travel over the encrypted WebRTC data channel between the two browsers. The signaling server only introduces the peers and relays connection setup messages, so it never receives the file itself.
Are transfers encrypted?
Yes. WebRTC data channels are encrypted with DTLS in transit, so the file is protected between the sender and the receiver. There is no server side copy to leak or retain.
Is epictransfer free?
Yes. There are no accounts, no ads, and no paid tiers. You can support the project on Patreon if you want to keep it running.
Does it work on phones?
It works in Chrome on Android and Safari on iOS. Very large transfers are better on a desktop browser, which has more memory and a steadier connection.
Why did a transfer fail?
Some corporate, school, and carrier networks block direct browser connections. epictransfer has no TURN relay, so it fails instead of routing your file through a server. Try another network or another pair of devices.