IoT MQTT Panel vs ShareByLight File Transfer
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
IoT MQTT Panel
Create DIY smart home projects quickly with a configurable dashboard. This app supports MQTT and Websocket protocols with SSL for secure communication. It offers real-time updates, customizable panels with over 250 icons, and various data visualization options.
- Always-on dashboard
- MQTT & Websocket support
- SSL secure communication
- Real-time panel updates
- 250+ customizable icons
- Dark theme
- Import/Export configuration
Read full descriptionHide full description
With this app you can make DIY Smart Home project in a minute. The configurations are very simple. Well documented FAQ and User Guide are available at application info page. Features: 1. Can run as always on Dashboard. 2. Supports both MQTT (TCP) and Websocket protocol. 3. SSL for secure communication. 4. JSON Support for both subscribe and publish message. 5. Panels subscribe and / or publish the topic automatically, hence get updated in real time. 6. Designed to work with public broker efficiently (using device prefix). 7. Sent and Received timestamp from broker. 8. Material design. 9. Flexible panel width, merge any panels 10. More than 250 icons to customize specific panels. 11. Dark theme for comfortable use in low light. 12. Clone connection, device or panel for effortless configuration 13. Import/Export application configuration for easy share with multiple devices. 14. Re-connects automatically if connection lost. 15. Persist export message for log and graph. Available panels: -Button -Slider -Switch -LED Indicator -Combo Box -Radio Buttons -Multi-State Indicator -Progress -Gauge -Color Picker -Time Picker -Text Input -Text Log -Image -Barcode Scanner -Line graph -Bar graph -Chart -URI Launcher This list will grow upon feedback from users. Your feedback is much appreciated. If you find any issue please feel free to leave a comment in my blog with steps to reproduce. https://blog.snrlab.in/iot/iot-mqtt-panel-user-guide/
ShareByLight File Transfer
Read full descriptionHide full description
ShareByLight moves files from one device to another using only the screen and camera. What it’s for • Pass a file when you don’t want (or can’t use) Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, between air gapped devices • Share between iPhone, iPad, and Mac without a network • Keep the transfer offline and local to the devices in front of you How it works 1. On one device, choose a file and start the stream 2. On the other device, open Receive and point the camera at the screen 3. When the transfer finishes, save the file Features • Send and receive on the same app • Works across iPhone, iPad, and Mac • Optional password protection for the file • Clear progress while the transfer runs • Free: one direction and small files • Pro: both directions and larger files Tips for a smooth transfer • Max brightness on the sending screen • Hold steady and fill the frame • Reduce glare and strong backlight No account required. No cloud. Data moves as light between the devices you choose.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: IoT MQTT Panel at none against ShareByLight File Transfer's 1. IoT MQTT Panel also leads on iOS requirement (15.0 vs 17.0). ShareByLight File Transfer's advantage is ads (none vs shown). On price, update cadence and device support there is nothing between them.
Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS
Both are free to download. ShareByLight File Transfer sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. IoT MQTT Panel asks for nothing beyond the download.
IoT MQTT Panel ships an update fortnightly, ShareByLight File Transfer every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 24, 2026 and October 10, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | IoT MQTT Panel | ShareByLight File Transfer |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.8 (44 ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 84.8% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 44 — better | — |
| Update frequency | Fortnightly | Every 2 weeks — better |
| Ads | Yes | No — better |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 — better | 17.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 34 MB | 5 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Rahul Kundu | Dragos Roua |
Bugs and requests
IoT MQTT Panel
Reported bugs
7 issues- Randomly won't connect to public MQTT brokers
- App fails to connect to broker frequently
- Connectivity seems very inconsistent
- App freezes when trying to input URL in web page panel
- App does not reconnect after MQTT server disconnects, requires restart
Show 2 moreShow fewer
- After update, panel window periodically moves up
- Sometimes switches sensor tabs with significant delay or stops working
Requested features
13 requests- Configuration example would be useful
- Gauges showing color portions instead of whole gauge changing color
- Apple Watch support for viewing data
- Option to search for keywords in payload
- Icon for opening and closing windows
Show 8 moreShow fewer
- Ability to print user guide
- Siri shortcuts integration
- Widgets support
- Customizable graph scales
- Alarm rules and notifications
- Ability to change font color in Text Log widget, possibly based on value condition
- Traditional Chinese language support
- More options for panel size on iPad
ShareByLight File Transfer
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
IoT MQTT Panel
No in-app purchases
ShareByLight File Transfer
- ShareByLight Pro$5.99
Questions
Is IoT MQTT Panel free?
Is ShareByLight File Transfer free?
Do IoT MQTT Panel or ShareByLight File Transfer have ads?
Which is updated more often, IoT MQTT Panel or ShareByLight File Transfer?
Other comparisons















