Some of this is LLM Generated.
Note that the easiest method is using some sort of social network to send and share the data. Telegram or whatever. Don’t bother these complicated stuff when the size of data is not high. Or frequency of data sharing is not a lot.
In 2026, the “best” protocol depends on whether you are sharing files over a local network (Wi-Fi/LAN) or the internet. However, for a true all-in-one solution that works across Windows, Mac, Linux, and Android, there is a clear winner.
1. The Winner for Local Networks: SMB 3.0+
SMB (Server Message Block) is the gold standard for cross-platform sharing. While it started as a Windows-only feature, it is now natively supported by almost everything.1
- Native Support: Built into Windows File Explorer, macOS Finder, and most Android File Managers (like Solid Explorer).
- Performance: Extremely fast on a local network. SMB 3.0+ supports encryption and “multichannel” (using multiple network connections to speed up transfers).2
- Best for: Mounting a “Network Drive” that acts like a real folder on your computer or phone.
- Warning: Never expose SMB directly to the internet (port 445); it is meant for home/office networks only.3
| From Device | How to Connect |
|---|---|
| Windows | Open File Explorer and type \\ComputerName or \\192.168.1.X in the address bar. |
| macOS | Open Finder > Go (top menu) > Connect to Server… > type smb://192.168.1.X. |
| Android | Use an app like Solid Explorer or Files by Google. Tap “Add Storage” > LAN/SMB and scan for your PC. |
| Linux | Use the file manager (Nautilus/Dolphin) and enter smb://192.168.1.X in the location bar. |
2. The Winner for Internet/Remote Access: SFTP
If you need to access files from a different location or over public Wi-Fi, SFTP (SSH File Transfer Protocol) is the most reliable choice.
- Security: Everything (including your password) is encrypted by default.
- Firewall Friendly: It uses a single port (usually 22), making it much easier to set up than the old-school FTP.4
- Compatibility: While not “native” to Windows/Mac in the same way as SMB, it is supported by every major 3rd-party client (FileZilla, WinSCP, and the Android apps mentioned earlier).
- Best for: Securely grabbing files from your home server while you’re at a coffee shop or traveling.
SFTP is much better than FTP. In 2026, there is almost no reason to use standard FTP.
3. The Modern “Hybrid”: WebDAV
WebDAV is essentially “File Sharing over HTTP.” It’s what many cloud services (like Nextcloud) use under the hood.
- Pros: It works easily through web firewalls and can be mounted as a drive.
- Cons: It can be slower and “clunkier” than SMB or SFTP.
Comparison Summary
| Feature | SMB (Recommended) | SFTP | WebDAV |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best Environment | Local Network (Home/Office) | Remote (Internet) | Cloud/Web |
| Setup Difficulty | Low (Built-in) | Medium (Requires SSH) | Medium |
| Speed | Excellent | Good | Moderate |
| Android Support | Native in File Managers | Requires Client App | Native in some apps |
Recommendation
If you want one setup for your whole house: Use SMB. * On Windows: Right-click a folder > Give access to > Specific people.
- On Android: Use a file manager (like Solid Explorer) to “Add LAN/SMB” connection.
- On Mac: Finder > Go > Connect to Server >
smb://[IP Address].6
Would you like me to guide you through setting up an SMB share on your specific operating system?
View FTP inside Windows and Mac
Send Files Locally via Python Server