# Photon Access vs Data Transfer

The clearest difference is ads: Photon Access at none against Data Transfer's shown. Photon Access also leads on update cadence (every 5 weeks vs every 5 months). Data Transfer's advantage is device support (3 vs 1) and iOS requirement (12.0 vs 18.0). On price and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

Photon Access ships an update every 5 weeks, Data Transfer every 5 months. The most recent releases landed on September 21, 2026 and September 30, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Photon Access | Data Transfer |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | — | **[3.8 (305 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/data-transfer-snapdrop/id6450982756/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | — | **305** |
| Positive reviews | — | 52.3% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | **Every 5 weeks** | Every 5 months |
| Monetization | — | Ad-supported |
| Size | 41 MB | 24 MB |
| Requires iOS | 18.0 | **12.0** |
| Devices | iPhone | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Mark Ragaee](https://appshunter.io/developer/1664558805) | [颖妮 王](https://appshunter.io/developer/1671076446) |

## What reviewers say

### Photon Access

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/photon-access/id6448876991)

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


### Data Transfer

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/data-transfer-snapdrop/id6450982756)

Effortlessly transfer files like images, videos, and documents between your devices without using data. This app provides a secure and fast wireless solution for sharing content, making your work and life more convenient.

**Highlights:** Quickly transfer images, videos, audios, documents, and contacts, Conveniently share files with different devices, Enable wireless transfer between phone, iPad, and Mac, Easily find nearby devices, No internet connection required

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Good apps
- 🚀 Fast transfer
- 👍 Nice app
- 👍 Works well
- 👍 Useful app

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Not working
- 🐛 Doesn't work
- 🐛 Useless app
- 🐛 Broken app
- 🐛 Scam

**Reported bugs**

- App doesn't open
- Can't connect to PC
- Files not sending
- Ads everywhere
- App is not functional

**Requested features**

- Add button for non-contacts
- Allow sending videos
- Improve file selection for multiple files


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Photon Access free?

Photon Access is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Data Transfer free?

Data Transfer is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Do Photon Access or Data Transfer have ads?

Data Transfer shows ads; Photon Access does not.

### Which is updated more often, Photon Access or Data Transfer?

Photon Access ships an update every 5 weeks, and Data Transfer every 5 months. Most recently, Photon Access was updated on September 21, 2026 and Data Transfer on September 30, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*