Choosing Upload Technology

Upload Suite consists of the following bundles:

  • ActiveX/Java Uploader (including ActiveX Uploader and Java Uploader)
  • HTML5/Flash Uploader (including HTML5 Uploader and Flash Uploader)

Uploaders in a bundle have the same client and server API, similar functionality and user interface. Upload Suite has a mechanism automatically choosing which uploader to display on client side depending on a browser used by a client. For example, ActiveX/Java Uploader is integrated with a Web site. ActiveX Uploader is opened in Microsoft Internet Explorer and Java Uploader is displayed in the other web browsers. HTML5/Flash Uploader works in a similar way. HTML5 Uploader is instantiated if a user opens a Web site with one of supported HTML5-enabled browsers (see the list of supported HTML5 browsers). Otherwise, Flash Uploader is displayed. You can force Upload Suite to use preferrable for you client technology. For example, you can display Java Uploader or Flash Uploader in all web browsers.

Full information about browser support you can find in the supported browsers table below.

Designing your web application you should decide which upload bundle to use. The main differences between ActiveX/Java Uploader and HTML5/Flash Uploader are different set of features, different plugins required by uploaders on client computers, and what previleges are required on the client side to install an uploader. The full feature comparison is presented in the table below. Here are the requirements imposed to client computers:

  • ActiveX Uploader: a user should have enough privileges to install ActiveX components in Internet Explorer.
  • Java Uploader: JRE version 1.5 or higher should be installed on the client side.
  • HTML5 Uploader: one of supported HTML5-enabled browsers is required (Chrome recommended).
  • Flash Uploader: an Adobe Flash plugin should be installed in the browser.

The main advantage of HTML5/Flash Uploader is that it does not require any approvements or other actions taken by end-users to start using an uploader. However, this bundle has more limited set features in comparison with ActiveX/Java Uploader and you should decide if it meets your requirements. ActiveX/Java Uploader, in its turn, requires users to endorse using an upload compoment (with a special dialog which pop-ups when they open a Web site for the first time) but the bundle has additional features related to more sophisticated user interface, ability to upload folders and large files, to recover an upload process in case of connectivity problems.

If your application is not desktop-only, you can also find interesting Aurigma Up, which has has versions for iOS and Android.

Note

Any Aurigma Uploader can be integrated with a large number of server platforms, including ASP, ASP.NET, PHP, JSP, ColdFusion, etc. Also Upload Suite offers advanced support of ASP.NET and PHP platforms.

Features Comparison

Feature HTML5/Flash Uploader ActiveX/Java Uploader
Display thumbnails for photos * *
Resize images before upload (can send both original file and resized copies) * *
Maintain EXIF * *
Upload additional data along with files * *
Upload files of any type * *
Configurable look-and-feel * *
Powerful client and server API (any platforms, extended support of ASP.NET and PHP) * *
Multilingual support * *
Configurable file restrictions (type, size, dimensions) * *
HTTPS support * *
Client-side requirements Flash player or a browser with HTML5 support (see the table below) Java Run-time or Internet Explorer
Do not require any actions from a user for installation *
Add photos for upload through the open file dialog * *
Browse files and folders directly on a web page *
No memory limitations (important for large image processing) *
Upload folders Chrome only *
Fail-safe upload (autorecovery, integrity check) *
Drag-and-drop support supported in HTML5 Uploader only *
Ability to save an upload list and restore it when a page is reloaded *
Ability to create custom upload panel in JavaScript (Thumbnail control) supported in HTML5 Uploader only *
Quality meter *
Preserve color space in resized copies *
Upload to Amazon S3 supported in HTML5 Uploader only *
Crop photos before upload supported in HTML5 Uploader only *

Supported Browsers

OS Browser ActiveX Uploader Java Uploader HTML5 Uploader Flash Uploader Aurigma Up for iOS Aurigma Up for Android
Windows Internet Explorer * * since 10 *
Mozilla Firefox * since 6.0 *
Google Chrome * since 13.0 *
Microsoft Edge * *
Opera *
Mac OS X Safari * since 3.2 *
Mozilla Firefox * since 6.0 *
Google Chrome since 13.0 *
Linux Mozilla Firefox * since 6.0 *
Google Chrome * since 13.0 *
iOS Safari since iOS 6.0 *
Android
(since 2.2 Froyo)
Android browser * * *
Google Chrome * *
Opera * *
Dolphin * *
Mozilla Firefox * * *

Mobile Upload solution

Aurigma Up is a mobile app designed to upload files (photos or movies) from a device to a Web site. It has versions for iOS and Android: Aurigma Up for iOS and Aurigma Up for Android.

Let us take a look at how Aurigma Up works:

  1. A user opens your website using a supported browser and browse the site as usual.
  2. The user reaches an upload section of the site containing Upload Files hyperlink.
  3. When the user follows the link Aurigma Up launches automatically.
  4. The user adds photos to the upload list and clicks the Start Upload button.
  5. When the upload process completes, Aurigma Up is automatically closed and the user is brought back to the upload page.

You can find more information on how to start with Aurigma Up and download SDK from the Aurigma Up product page.