Ephemeral by default. Persistent by choice.

Send live. Share for later. Keep your cloud drive private.

Photon Transfer offers Live + Cloud delivery. Photon Vault keeps files for ongoing storage, sharing, and sync.

Choose temporary delivery with Photon Transfer, or keep your complete file collection in a private cloud drive made of independent Vaults.

PhotonFile Relay

Ephemeral File Transfer

Best when both people are online and the goal is delivery, not retention. PhotonFile relays data live through TLS and operates ephemerally by default. Client-side encryption is on by default for single files and required for multi-file sends.

  • Live sender-to-recipient relay
  • Memory-only handling during active transfer
  • Client-side encryption on by default for single files
  • Multi-file sends use concurrent streams under one shared link
  • Resumable behavior in supported environments
Start a transfer
Photon Vault

A private cloud drive with isolated Vaults

Replace your cloud drive without putting every file behind the same privacy boundary. Store and sync your whole collection in client-side encrypted Vaults, then keep personal, project, client, and team data separate while sharing what belongs together.

  • Store and sync your complete file collection
  • Each Vault is its own privacy boundary
  • Map different folders and data sets to different Vaults
  • Share, version, and collect files without merging Vaults
Vault overview Technical security Vault Intake
Stored delivery

Storage-based delivery

A common upload-now, download-later workflow. Photon Vault can handle this too, but traditional transfer tools usually stop at a hosted stored link instead of offering a private cloud drive with isolated Vaults.

  • Upload now and let the recipient download later
  • Downloading through a hosted link is the default pattern
  • Usually centered on time-limited retention
  • Vault can cover this workflow with stronger storage controls

Choose the right operational model

PhotonFile separates file movement, intake, storage, desktop sync, team access, billing, and region control instead of collapsing every job into one hosted bucket.

Workflow Traditional model PhotonFile
Temporary delivery Link to stored files. Live Relay through memory, or temporary encrypted Cloud backing for pickup later.
Persistent storage One broad storage tree and trust boundary. A private cloud drive divided into isolated Vaults.
External intake Shared-folder workaround risks workspace exposure. Vault Intake gives ingress-only upload.
Desktop sync Broad synced tree. Map different local folders and data sets to separate Vaults.
Team access Access can spread too broadly. Team membership and Vault access are separate.
Billing Per-seat expansion. Eligible teams run under the owner's plan.
Large one-off transfers Failed attempts may still cost money. Live Relay File Pass consumed only after completed delivery.
Region control Region often feels fixed or opaque. Account Region Move is a documented workflow.

Choose by intent

Need Best fit Why
Both users are online and the file should not remain stored by default PhotonFile Relay Live, in-memory relay designed for ephemeral delivery.
Replace a cloud drive for a complete file collection Photon Vault Store and sync everything in client-side encrypted Vaults with sharing, versioning, and Vault Intake.
Someone needs to upload now and the recipient or team can review or download later from an encrypted destination Photon Vault Vault Intake receives files into the intended Vault without exposing other Vaults or workspace contents.
Recipient will download a stored copy later from a hosted link or encrypted destination Photon Vault Vault supports upload-now, download-later workflows while keeping the destination separate from unrelated data.
Need stronger privacy over who can decrypt stored files Photon Vault Client-side encryption protects each Vault before upload. Separate Vaults keep unrelated data isolated.
Need to safely collect uploads from outside users Photon Vault Vault Intake isolates inbound uploads from existing vault contents.

Compare by outcome

Photon Transfer gives each send one link and a choice of Live or Cloud delivery. Live Relay can distribute independent file streams across Relay servers. Cloud transfer provides temporary encrypted backing for pickup after upload. Your plan or File Pass sets the stream allowance. Photon Vault keeps your collection in isolated Vaults for intake, ongoing sharing, and sync.

Choose the outcome you need: temporary Live + Cloud delivery, or Vault for everyday cloud storage with hard privacy boundaries you choose.

Encrypted-at-rest is not the same as client-side encrypted storage

In a stored-delivery model, the provider commonly manages the storage layer and retention policy. That may protect the storage media, but it does not automatically mean the provider lacks access to decrypted content.

  • Stored delivery implies a retained copy for some period
  • Client-side encryption keeps key control closer to the user
  • Vault and Relay solve different privacy problems

Go deeper by workflow

These pages break down the clearest PhotonFile fit for live delivery, secure intake, async handoff, and a private cloud drive divided into Vaults.

Relay guide
Use live handoff when the sender and receiver are ready now.
Vault Intake
Give outsiders a focused upload surface without workspace exposure.
Account Region Move
Move the account home region when business or jurisdictional needs change.
Photon Transfer
Explore Live + Cloud delivery through Photon Transfer.
Vault overview
See how a private cloud drive uses isolated Vaults for everyday storage, sync, and sharing.
Vault technical security
Public technical security overview for evaluators who want the client-side encryption details.