Open signalSurfer opened 1 year ago
It seems like there are a lot of alternatives, especially if the main function is pushing SMS messages. I've provided pros and cons for 4 options, which vary by platform support, capabilities, and cost (most have free versions and more capabilities for paid versions). Please browse these pros and cons and get a feel for what features you think are most important for this project, and I'll refine our search and report back. :) <3
Like Pushbullet, AirDroid allows you to access and manage your Android phone or tablet from Windows, Mac, or the web, wirelessly and free. Features include SMS, notification mirror, file transfer, remote control, and more. If you're looking for an app that's basically "Pushbullet but not Pushbullet", then AirDroid is the one you want. Whatever Pushbullet can do, AirDroid can do as well: mirrored notifications, file and folder transfers, remote dialing, and more.
Pros:
Cons:
This open-source software is designed to enable all your devices to communicate with each other. With KDE Connect, you can receive your phone notifications on your computer, control your computer with your phone, and more. However, it's primarily designed for use with Linux and Android.
Pros:
Free and Open Source: KDE Connect is completely free and open-source, making it an excellent choice if you prefer to use software that is transparent and community-driven.
Feature-Rich: KDE Connect offers a lot of features, including sharing files, links, and clipboard contents between devices, sending SMS from your PC, controlling your PC from your phone, and more.
End-to-End Encryption: All communication between your devices is securely encrypted.
Integration with KDE Plasma Desktop: If you're a user of the KDE Plasma desktop environment on Linux, KDE Connect integrates very well, providing a seamless experience.
Cons:
Limited Compatibility: While KDE Connect has expanded beyond Linux, it still primarily targets the Linux and Android platforms. If you're using iOS, or even Windows or macOS, your experience may not be as smooth or feature-rich.
Complex Setup: Some users have reported that setting up KDE Connect can be a bit complicated, particularly compared to more user-friendly options like Pushbullet or AirDroid.
Limited Remote Control Features: The remote control features of KDE Connect are not as robust as some of its alternatives.
Potential Network Issues: KDE Connect requires that your devices be on the same network, which might be a limitation in some use cases.
Snapdrop is an open-source project designed as a web-based alternative to Apple's AirDrop. It allows you to transfer files directly between devices in the same network, using a web browser.
Pros:
Cross-Platform: One of Snapdrop's biggest advantages is its cross-platform compatibility. Because it runs in a web browser, it works on a wide variety of operating systems, including Android, iOS, Windows, macOS, and Linux.
Ease of Use: Snapdrop is extremely easy to use. There's no need to install any software or create an account. Simply open snapdrop.net in a web browser on both devices and start transferring files.
Local Transfer: Files transferred via Snapdrop are sent directly from one device to another over the local network. This is faster and more secure than cloud-based file transfer methods, which involve uploading the file to a server and then downloading it onto the other device.
Open Source and Free: Snapdrop is completely free to use and its source code is available on GitHub, which allows for transparency and community contribution.
Cons:
Requires Same Network: Both devices need to be on the same local network for Snapdrop to work. This could be a limitation if you need to send files to a device on a different network.
No Progress Bar: As of my last update, Snapdrop does not have a progress bar, which means you can't see how much of the file has transferred or how much time is remaining.
Limited to File Transfer: Unlike some of its alternatives, Snapdrop is specifically designed for file transfer and does not offer additional features like text message syncing, remote control, or notification mirroring.
Depends on Browser Compatibility: While Snapdrop is designed to work with most modern web browsers, there can be issues if you're using an older or less common browser.
Join is another great app like Pushbullet that's entirely free without even a premium version to upgrade to. You can sync your clipboard between devices, view notifications across all devices, find your phone, and open links remotely. You can also send files back and forth, but through Google Drive specifically. If you take a screenshot on your mobile device, it'll automatically show up on your PC. You can also view and respond to SMS notifications from your computer; there's no limit to how many texts you can open and respond to, which is awesome. You can get Join as a Chrome extension, Android app, or a desktop app for Windows, Mac, or Linux.
Pros:
Versatility: Join is packed with features that allow you to share files, links, text, and more between your devices.
Notification Mirroring: The app lets you receive your Android phone's notifications on your computer, which can be very convenient if you don't have your phone handy.
Tasker Integration: Join was developed by the same person who created Tasker, a popular automation app for Android. The two apps integrate seamlessly, providing a wide range of possibilities for automating tasks across your devices.
End-to-End Encryption: Join uses end-to-end encryption to ensure the privacy of your data.
Cons:
Setup Complexity: Join is a powerful tool, but that power comes with a level of complexity that can be daunting for some users. Setting up the app and getting it to work just how you want it can take some time and technical know-how.
UI Design: Some users find the user interface (UI) to be a bit lacking in terms of design and user-friendliness.
Limited iOS Support: While Join is very feature-rich for Android users, its functionality is more limited on iOS due to Apple's more restrictive policies.
Occasional Syncing Delays: Some users report occasional delays in syncing data or notifications between devices.
Need to research a free alternative.