Feem

Overview

Feem is a file-transfer app for sending files directly between nearby devices, including when there is no Internet connection. It is best suited to people moving files across their own devices or a local group, rather than sending them to someone remotely. Its local-first approach keeps transfers off the Internet, but both devices must be nearby and Feem must stay in the foreground during transfers.

Key features

Feem finds devices on the same network automatically and gives them random names by default. That keeps initial setup straightforward, though users who want recognizable device labels may prefer a paid Personal plan, which allows names to be customized. Transfers work over shared Wi-Fi, a hotspot, or Wi-Fi Direct, so Feem can still be useful in places without reliable Internet access.

Full-duplex operation lets devices send and receive files at the same time, a practical advantage when people are exchanging material in both directions. A built-in chat handles short messages between connected devices and deletes them automatically after 48 hours. Feem says local transfers use TLS 1.3 encryption and that files remain on the local network. Its push-based approach sends files from the sender rather than pulling them or exposing the sender’s whole file system by default; its privacy policy also says it cannot see shared files or retain chat history.

The central limitation follows from that local design: devices must be near each other on the same local network, so Feem cannot send a file to someone in another city. Transfers also require the app to remain in the foreground. Mobile operating systems may interrupt background activity, making Feem less suited to long transfers that need to run unattended.

Pricing

The free plan costs nothing and includes unlimited file transfers. It is the sensible starting point for users who can accept ads and do not need paid-plan support or customization.

Feem Pro iOS costs $4.99 a year and covers iPhones and iPads, including all devices linked to the customer’s Apple ID. It adds unlimited transfers, no ads, and medium-priority email support. Renewal is manual each year, not automatic.

Feem Pro Personal costs $9.99 a year for 1–4 devices, excluding iPhones and iPads. It removes ads and adds customizable device names and download locations, alongside unlimited transfers and medium-priority email support. This is the relevant paid tier for a small non-Apple device group that wants more control over how transfers are organized.

Feem Pro Family costs $49.99 a year for 5–19 devices, excluding iPhones and iPads. It includes unlimited transfers, no ads, and high-priority email support. Feem Pro Business costs $499.99 a year for 20–100 devices, also excluding iPhones and iPads, with unlimited transfers, no ads, and the highest-priority email support. Both are manually renewed annually rather than automatically billed. These tiers scale the device allowance and support priority, not the transfer quota, which is unlimited across the plans.

Platforms

Feem supports Android, iOS, Linux, macOS, the web, and Windows. Its downloads specify Android 10+, Windows 10 and 11, macOS, and Linux distributions including Ubuntu and Fedora. The web interface broadens access, while mobile users should account for the foreground requirement during transfers.

Who it's for

Feem fits households, classrooms, and workplaces that need to move files among nearby devices without relying on Internet connectivity. It can also serve people in remote or crisis areas where connectivity is unreliable. It is a poor match for remote file delivery or background transfers that should continue while a mobile app is not active.

Pros and cons

• Pros: Local transfers work without Internet over shared Wi-Fi, hotspots, or Wi-Fi Direct, which is useful when connectivity is absent or unreliable.
• Pros: Unlimited file transfers are included in the free plan, so occasional users do not face a stated transfer quota.
• Pros: Simultaneous sending and receiving, plus short-lived chat, make it useful for exchanges where both parties need to share files.
• Cons: The devices must be nearby on the same local network, ruling out sending files to distant recipients.
• Cons: Feem must stay in the foreground during transfers, and mobile operating systems may interrupt background activity.
• Cons: Paid Family and Business plans exclude iPhones and iPads, so Apple devices are covered separately by the iOS plan.

Alternatives

Feem belongs in the broader Peer-to-Peer File Sharing Software category, but the listed alternatives focus on different use cases. Choose BiglyBT if a free option across Android, Linux, macOS, web, and Windows better fits your platform needs. BitComet is free for private personal, non-commercial use, a condition to weigh before choosing it for other purposes. Resilio Sync offers a free personal, non-commercial license with no expiration date, but requires a license to activate.

Deluge is a free BitTorrent client whose source repository is published on GitHub. FrostWire is a free open-source project that links to its source code. qBittorrent is free open-source software with no ads. Transmission includes all features for free, with no ads or tracking. WebTorrent is free desktop software for non-commercial use.

Verdict

Choose Feem if you need unlimited, direct transfers among nearby devices and want them to work without Internet access. Its local approach and free tier make it a strong fit for on-site exchanges, but the foreground requirement and lack of remote sending are decisive drawbacks for long-running or off-site transfers.