WeTransfer is a popular file-sharing tool. Nevertheless, it does come with some disadvantages, such as its limited allowance for free users (2 GB) and the fact shared files only remain available for seven days.
That’s why we made a list of alternatives to WeTransfer that perform better in the file-sharing and cloud storage department:
- Dropbox: A cloud service with many third-party integrations and collaboration tools
- Google Drive: Google’s user-friendly solution to cloud storage
- iCloud: A service provider aimed for those who use Apple products
- MASV: Excellent for file sharers who want flexibility and lots of integrations
- MEGA: Great for digital creatives who need huge storage and transfer capacities
- Microsoft OneDrive: A good choice for those who want lots of storage and great value
- Smash: For people who want a simple and no-nonsense file-sharing tool
- Surge Send: Suitable for busy professionals who are on the move a lot and want flexibility
- Sync: A great option for those who want to securely send large files
- Terashare: A user-friendly and simple way to share unlimited files of unlimited sizes
If you value the privacy of your data, you might also want to consider using a VPN service. Your information will be encrypted with a VPN, which will also defend you from dangers online. Since NordVPN is compatible with all cloud services and is the best VPN provider for 2023, we highly recommend it.
If you want to learn more about these great WeTransfer alternatives, be sure to check out the complete article below!
WeTransfer has been a household name in the file-sharing business for a while now. As is the case for many tech solutions, the service’s 2009 beginnings were pretty humble. Nevertheless, nowadays the service provider has about 80 million monthly users spread out over 190 countries.
WeTransfer is much more than a file-sharing service. It prides itself on being a tool that allows for seamless cooperation between digital creatives. As such, it lets you share ideas and designs with coworkers and clients and even offers a feature for joint presentations.
Moreover, WeTransfer’s pro package boasts a generous 200 GB data allowance. Despite the many pros WeTransfer offers, the service has some cons as well. Some of these include:
- The WeTransfer file size limit for transfers is only 2 GB for free users.
- Shared files become unavailable after seven days with WeTranfer’s free version.
- WeTransfer Free doesn’t support password-protected transfers.
- The best package (premium) is a bit pricey for a large team of digital creatives.
- Free users can’t save their contacts.
Fortunately, we have strongly considered these disadvantages and the features that make for a great file-sharing service. So we crafted a list of the 10 best alternatives to WeTransfer below.
The Best WeTransfer Alternatives
In this section, we’ll discuss the best WeTransfer alternatives in detail. We’ll go over their features, pros, and cons. However, first, we’ll present you with a handy table that focuses on the main characteristics of all the alternatives to WeTransfer.
| Service | Best for? | Storage limit of free package | Cheapest paid package price | Storage limit of cheapest paid package | End-to-end zero-knowledge encryption |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dropbox | Businesses requiring plenty of third-party integrations and collaboration tools | 2 GB | $9.99/month (paid annually) | 2 TB | ✖ |
| Google Drive | Those familiar with Google products who want a user-friendly solution | 15 GB | $19.99/year | 100 GB | ✖ |
| iCloud | Users of Apple products | 5 GB | $0.99/month (paid monthly) | 50 GB | ✔ (You have to enable “advanced data protection” and not all categories are encrypted this way) |
| MASV | File sharers looking for flexibility and many integrations | Unlimited (but after seven days you start paying $0.10/GB) | Pay as you go: $0.10/GB for storage and $0.25/GB for transfers | Unlimited | ✖ |
| MEGA | Digital creatives requiring large storage and transfer capacities | 20 GB | $10.92/month (paid monthly) | 400 GB | ✔ |
| Microsoft OneDrive | People who already have a Microsoft 365 package and who want great value | 5 GB | $59.99/year | 1 TB | ✖ |
| Smash | Individuals who want a user-friendly tool to share files | Unlimited | $4.80/month (billed every two years) | Unlimited | ✖ |
| Surge Send | Professionals who require flexibility while on the move | 5 GB | $15/month | 250 GB | ✖ |
| Sync | Those looking for a secure method to transfer large files | 5 GB | $8/month (billed annually) | 2 TB | ✔ |
| Terashare | People looking for a user-friendly platform to share unlimited files of any size | Unlimited | – | Terashare doesn’t offer paid packages | ✖ |
Below, we’ll discuss these WeTransfer alternatives in more detail.
1. Dropbox: A cloud service pioneer
Pros
- Available on a large number of operating systems
- Lots of third-party app integrations
- Useful collaboration tools
- Offers a live chat feature and phone support for selected plans
Cons
- No zero-knowledge encryption
- Non-business packages are restricted to 2 GB file transfers
- Free version is very limited
Dropbox, which came on the scene in 2008, is undoubtedly a cloud storage pioneer. Being around for so long, it’s available on all major devices and operating systems, such as Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, iOS, and even on a lot of smart TVs.
Dropbox is a great tool for businesses as it allows real-time collaboration and has lots of features that make communication within a team a breeze.
Dropbox’s collaboration features include ways for coworkers to present and combine their ideas (Dropbox paper), features to prevent employees from duplicating or changing documents, and many more.
On top of this, Dropbox also offers lots of third-party app integrations. It includes an App Center setting from which you can choose various applications and integrate them within your Dropbox workspace. These include, among others, the following services:
- Google Workspace
- Microsoft
- Slack
- Adobe
- Zoom
- Autodesk
- Canva
- AWS
Another plus is that Dropbox offers a live chat support feature for all of their paid plans, apart from Dropbox Basic. They also offer phone support for their Dropbox Business and Dropbox Enterprise packages.
It would be beneficial, though, for a live chat option to be offered for all paid packages. However, considering that even many paid cloud and file transfer services lack good customer support, Dropbox is doing quite well in this department.
As far as disadvantages go, it’s a shame Dropbox doesn’t offer zero-knowledge encryption. This means Dropbox stores your encryption keys, so you are not the only one who has access to them. So this can result in privacy issues, such as an employee from Dropbox, for example, accessing your data and files.
Another disadvantage is that Dropbox’s non-business packages only allow you to send files no larger than 2 GB. A free account imposes even more stringent transfer restrictions: a 100 MB maximum. Moreover, free users only get 2 GB of cloud storage.
2. Google Drive: A popular option with a user-friendly interface
Pros
- Many users are already familiar with Google's products
- Seamless integration with all of Google's applications
- Plenty of third-party integrations
- A user-friendly interface
Cons
- Only 15 GB of free storage space per account
- Google doesn't have the best privacy track record
Google Drive is undoubtedly one of the most popular cloud services, especially with consumers. This is also one of its main advantages. After all, many users are already familiar with Google products.
Google’s familiar feel also makes it a popular choice for businesses. This is further facilitated by the fact Google Drive is compatible with a huge number of third-party products as well as other Google applications, such as:
- Docs
- Calendar
- Contacts
- Photos
- Sheets
- Slides
- Forms
If we have to think of a drawback, we would have to mention that this service’s free storage space is limited to 15 GB per account. Now, you can easily get around this by creating multiple free Google accounts. However, this is obviously a bit tedious.
Google Drive’s maximum daily transfer limit lies at 750 GB. While this might be an issue for creatives that share huge files, we think this is more than reasonable. Furthermore, Google Drive allows you to upload files up to 5 TB in size.
Finally, it’s unfortunate that Google Drive doesn’t have the best track record when it comes to privacy. In fact, even though Google is one of the biggest data storers the company has also experienced data breaches in the past.
3. iCloud: An alternative to WeTransfer for iPhone and Mac users
Pros
- Great for people who use Apple products (iPhone, Macbook, iPad, etc.)
- Goof choice for creative collaboration
- Seamless integration with other Apple services
Cons
- Limited end-to-end encryption
- A maximum file size of 50 GB
There is no doubt that iCloud is one of the biggest storage and file-sharing services. It’s especially convenient for sharing files and making collaboration between users of Apple products easier.
It’s also a great option for digital creatives to work together on projects and share these between them. For example, if you want your coworker to look at your project, you can share it with them and see the changes they make. Apple has a great reputation with visual creatives especially, and many of them use Apple products in some form.
Needless to say, another advantage of iCloud is that it seamlessly integrates with other Apple services, such as:
- Calendar
- Contacts
- Files
- Keynote (presentations)
- Messages
- Music
- Notes
- Photos
- Reminders
Moving on to the service’s disadvantages, iCloud only allows you to upload and share files up to 50 GB on the paid packages and up to 5GB on the free package. A 50 GB file is by no means small. However, this might not be enough for digital creatives who want to share and collaborate on massive projects, for instance.
It’s also unfortunate that iCloud’s privacy and security still leave something to be desired. For example, you have to enable the “advanced data protection“ feature to protect your data with end-to-end encryption. This function will encrypt your information when you send it, while it is in transit, and when it arrives at its destination. We believe this should come as a standard feature that is activated from the beginning on its own.
Moreover, even when using “advanced data protection,” there are still three categories of data that aren’t end-to-end encrypted and that have their encryption keys stored on Apple’s servers rather than on your device: Mail, Contacts, and Calendars. This can be an issue as others will have the opportunity to gain access to your data.
4. MASV: Convenient file sharing and many third-party integrations
Pros
- The ability to send several files simultaneously
- Offers hassle-free integration with many third-party platforms
- Shared files remain available for 30 days
- Complies with several important privacy standards, such as the GDPR
- Lets you send up to 100 GB for free
Cons
- The pay-as-you-go model can get quite expensive
- No live chat or phone support
MASV is another service that floats high among the top cloud and file-sharing services. This alternative to WeTransfer boasts a generous free 100 GB data allowance for file transfers and file sizes up to 15TB. Moreover, on the free package, the storage is unlimited, but after seven days, you have to pay $0.10/GB. The cheapest paid package has unlimited storage and transfer limit. Additionally, the time-shared files remain available for 30 days.
Some other great file-sharing features include the option to pause and resume transfers whenever you like and the ability to send various files at once.
Perhaps the main reason MASV is among the best WeTransfer alternatives is its third-party compatibility. The service offers streamlined integration with a large number of other platforms, such as:
- Dropbox
- Google Drive
- Microsoft OneDrive
- Microsoft 365
- Amazon S3
- Microsoft Teams
- Slack
- Backblaze B2
- Box
- DigitalOcean Spaces
- MinIO
- Iconik
- Frame.io
- Object Matrix
MASV’s great focus on advanced features doesn’t mean they neglect the basics. In fact, the service offers solid security and privacy measures, consisting of both client-side encryption (data is encrypted on the sender’s side before it is transferred) and end-to-end encryption, as well as compliance with several important privacy standards, including the GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation).
Unfortunately, MASV also has some disadvantages. One of these is its lack of a live support chat feature or phone support. Moreover, MASV’s pay-as-you-go system could work out to be somewhat pricey.
MASV also has an interesting business model, where you pay for the amount of data you send. Currently, MASV charges $0.25 per GB, although the first 100 GB are free.
This might sound pretty convenient and flexible, which it is. However, for people who send very large files, it probably works out to be more expensive than just getting a subscription. It could also cause you to lose track of how much you’re spending.
5. MEGA: An alternative to WeTransfer that lives up to its name
Pros
- A very generous 20 GB of free storage
- Paid plans have huge transfer allowances
- Flexible solutions for businesses
- Zero-knowledge end-to-end encrypption
- Reasonable pricing
Cons
- Unclear about their free transfer limit
- No live chat or phone support
MEGA really does live up to its name and is one of the best WeTransfer alternatives to transfer large files. In fact, if you’re just looking for a huge storage and transfer capacity, you can pretty much stop reading here.
MEGA offers a whopping 20 GB of free storage space, and you can transfer files up to 20GB in size, too, on the free package. Even more impressively, their best plan offers an astounding 16 TB of storage. If you want to make your cloud pour, that’s no issue either: the same plan offers 16 TB of monthly transfers, with no maximum for file sizes.
This service can also serve the needs of businesses well. That’s thanks to MEGA’s very flexible and customizable enterprise packages.
MEGA even has a handy tool that gives you an approximation of how much their service will cost your business. For instance, for a large team of 150 users with the ability to store and transfer about 500 TB, you’ll pay about $2,000 a month.
Now, the above might sound like you really need to make it rain to afford MEGA’s cloud services. However, in proportion to the huge amounts of data MEGA offers, it’s actually one of the most reasonably priced options we’ve found.
MEGA’s security doesn’t let up either. After all, the provider offers solid zero-knowledge end-to-end encryption.
Moving on to the cons, MEGA isn’t clear or transparent about the maximum amount of data you can transfer with their free service. They mention it depends on different factors, such as your geographic location and internet connection. This isn’t very helpful.
It’s also unfortunate that MEGA doesn’t offer a live chat or phone support option. However, all things considered, MEGA is one of the most robust data storage and transfer solutions in the world.
6. Microsoft OneDrive: Cost-efficient service with great storage capacity
Pros
- Very cost efficient cloud storage
- Suitable for large files (up to 250 GB)
- Great real-time collaboration
Cons
- No zero-knowledge end-to-end encryption
Microsoft’s OneDrive is definitely among the best alternatives to WeTransfer. A lot of this has to do with its widespread adoption by many businesses and the wide range of other Microsoft services available. These make OneDrive very suitable for collaboration and third-party integration.
Moreover, from a storage standpoint, OneDrive might just be the most cost-efficient option out there. You can get a Microsoft 365 Family account that includes 6 TB of storage (1 TB per person) for only $99.99 a year.
The above also makes OneDrive great for collaboration. For example, you can share the link of a file with someone and allow them to either just view the file or edit it. You can also see the edits they have made. So, there’s nothing stopping a small team from sharing a Microsoft Family account as an affordable collaboration option.
Of course, the fact that Microsoft offers so many other services, such as Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, is another reason that OneDrive is so great for real-time collaboration.
Normally, we’d consider a file size limit of any kind a disadvantage. However, OneDrive’s generous 250 GB maximum should get you through most projects.
We only recommend a different alternative, such as MEGA, if you plan on working with and collaborating on huge projects, such as (long) 4K or even 8K videos. Otherwise, OneDrive’s file size limit is unlikely to pose problems.
Our only real gripe with OneDrive is that you can transfer only 5GB on the free package, and it doesn’t offer zero-knowledge end-to-end encryption. That is to say, users don’t store their own encryption keys. This could, in theory, result in Microsoft employees seeing your data.
7. Smash: A simple-to-use file-sharing service
Pros
- No maximum file size
- Easy-to-use and hassle-free
- Very affordable
Cons
- The free plan is limited when it comes to file size and file availability
- Small number of features
- Limited customer support
Smash might just be the simplest and user-friendliest entry on our list. It’s not nearly as feature-rich as the other alternatives on this list. Nevertheless, it’s quite refreshing to find a product that does just one thing very well (transfer files) rather than doing 10 things just alright.
Smash is all about the transfer in WeTransfer. There are no fancy collaboration features, no dedicated cloud storage options, just the ability to send large files. Best of all, it’s easy to use. You just click on a large “Send” button, select your file or folder, fill out some sender and recipient info, and that’s pretty much it.
Smash doesn’t have a maximum file size. However, if you’re using the free version, transfers over 2 GB won’t receive “priority treatment.” This means they’ll get delivered to your recipient once Smash’s servers are a little bit less crowded.
Smash’s paid versions offer a lot of benefits compared to the free version, such as priority treatment for files of any size. Your shared files will also remain available for 30 days. Moreover, you’ll be able to customize your download link and download page.
Smash’s biggest drawback, apart from the free version’s limitations, is its lacking customer support. It doesn’t offer a live chat option and only Smash’s Enterprise package offers phone support.
8. Surge Send: A flexible file-sharing provider
Pros
- Pause and switch the device from which you upload a file
- Password protection for files
- Track file transfers
- Set a custom link expiration date with Pro or Enterprise
Cons
- A maximum of 50 GB per upload
- 250 GB storage maximum
- The service is vague regarding its encryption
Surge Send is another decent alternative to WeTransfer, be it with a few caveats. The good mainly has to do with the flexibility this service offers. On the other hand, it has somewhat stringent file-sharing limits, and its security policy hasn’t completely convinced us.
The great thing about Surge Send is that you can pause and resume uploads at any time. You can even resume your upload from a completely different device. This is great if you have to leave home or the office unexpectedly.
Another testament to Surge Send’s flexibility is the fact that their paid plans allow you to choose a custom expiration date for shared files.
Something that’s a bit less flexible is Surge Send’s policy on data limits. You can store 250 GB with their paid plans, while their free version includes 5 GB of storage. They also have a maximum file size of 50 GB or 3 GB with their free plan.
However, they are very vague about their encryption standards, only mentioning that it’s “256-bit” and “federal level.” It’s concerning that they don’t choose to be more transparent about something as important as their security policy.
On the plus side, they do allow for password protection of shared files to bolster their security.
9. Sync: An aptly named WeTransfer alternative to safely send large files
Pros
- No data cap for files you share
- Zero-knowledge encryption for cloud storage
- A user-friendly interface
Cons
- Small number of customer support options
- Limited support for third-party platforms
This appropriately named cloud and file-sharing service has some great features in store. The biggest edge that it has over WeTransfer is that this service doesn’t have a maximum file size. You read that right! You can send files of any size you want.
Sync does indicate that files over 40 GB might take significantly longer to reach their destination. However, this only seems normal and reasonable to us. Moreover, the fact they’re transparent about this is another plus.
Another advantage over WeTransfer is that Sync’s free version offers encrypted cloud storage. However, the storage allowance for the free service is only 5 GB.
Files stored in Sync’s cloud are end-to-end encrypted with zero-knowledge encryption. This means they’re encrypted as soon as they leave your device, in transit, and when they reach Sync’s servers. This ensures even Sync’s employees can’t see your data.
Sync’s only real disadvantages concern their customer support and their lack of support for third-party platforms. Regarding the former, Sync only offers a page with articles on common issues that users run into and a contact form. There are no live chat options or phone support.
Unfortunately, Sync also doesn’t offer that many third-party integrations. All in all, however, it’s a very solid contender to replace your WeTransfer account.
10. Terashare: A P2P file-sharing solution
Pros
- No maximum file size
- Completely free to use
- An easy-to-use app (and site)
Cons
- Their encryption protocol is outdated
- Unsecured website
- No help page, live chat, or phone support
Terashare is an interesting addition to our list of WeTransfer alternatives. It’s the only entry that relies on P2P file sharing.
Terashare uses the P2P BitTorrent protocol to allow users to directly exchange an unlimited number of files. Essentially, your recipient will download the file straight from your computer. Additionally, files under 10 GB are also stored on Terashare’s cloud. However, if your file is above 10GB your computer must be switched on for the recipient to able to download the file you have sent them.
There are definitely some advantages to this ingenious and innovative sharing solution. For one, it is likely the reason that Terashare doesn’t have to enforce any file size or transfer limits, or speed caps.
Second, it’s very fast and efficient because your recipient can start downloading as soon as you share a link containing the file. In other words, you don’t have to upload your file to a cloud before it can be downloaded.
Another very important advantage of Terashare is that it’s completely free. In fact, there are no paid packages. This means all of the service’s features are available to all of its users.
Unfortunately, Terashare does come with some disadvantages as well. First, and most importantly, the encryption standard they use, RC4, is outdated.
RC4 has been shown to have some serious vulnerabilities over the years. For example, its encryption key is too simple and can be cracked very easily. So it is even less secure than AES 128-bit encryption (most services use AES 256-bit encryption nowadays).
Moreover, and very surprisingly, Terashare’s website is not secured by the HTTPS protocol. This protocol ensures you are accessing a legitimate website and that none of your personal information is leaked. It is quite strange that Terashare is not secure by HTTPS, as this has been the security standard for websites for years now. Especially for a website that allows for file sharing, this is quite worrisome.
Additionally, Terashare doesn’t offer much in the way of customer support. They have no dedicated help page, and you can only contact them by email.
Use a VPN to Protect All Your Traffic, Not Just (Shared) Files
Before concluding, we wanted to discuss something very important. Many of the cloud providers discussed above offer solid encryption to keep your data safe. Ideally, this should be zero-knowledge, end-to-end encryption.
It’s not just your files you should protect, however. We also recommend that anyone should protect all their other online communications and online activities. After all, there are a lot of parties spying on your browsing data these days, like your internet service provider who sees the sites you visit or search engines that know what you’ve clicked on.
A great way to protect your privacy and your data online is by using a VPN. A VPN will hide your real IP address, making you much more anonymous online. It will also encrypt and thus protect your data.
A VPN that we wholeheartedly recommend, thanks to its great security features, ease of use, and connection speed, is NordVPN. This service provider also has a free trial if you first want to explore what it can offer without making a commitment to the service.
- Fast and large worldwide network of VPN servers
- Perfect for privacy and streaming
- Trusted by many, with over 14 million users
Final Thoughts: Choose a Suitable Alternative to WeTransfer
As we’ve seen, there are plenty of great paid and free alternatives to WeTransfer. We’ve tried to give you an overview of file-sharing and cloud storage services that excel at different features. That way, you can choose the service that fits your or your business’s needs best.
For instance, if your company deals with very confidential or sensitive data, it makes sense to only settle for a WeTransfer alternative that offers zero-knowledge encryption.
On the other hand, if you work for a creative agency and edit a lot of large video files, data limits become the most important factor.
To help you out on your journey of finding the best WeTransfer alternative, we also wrote these extensive cloud storage service reviews:
- NordLocker Review (2023): End-to-End Encrypted Files for Free
- WeTransfer Review (2023): Is WeTransfer Safe?
- Sync.com Review (2023): Cheap Zero-Knowledge Cloud Storage
Do you have a specific question about our list of WeTransfer alternatives? Check out our FAQ below and see if we’ve answered your question. If we haven’t, feel free to leave us a comment below.
WeTransfer has both free and paid versions. Unfortunately, the free version only allows you to make file transfers that are 2 GB or smaller. The good thing is that there are plenty of WeTransfer alternatives with better free versions.
Yes, in fact Google’s Google Drive is one of the most popular cl0ud services worldwide. We actually wrote a review on Google One, so you can learn more about Google Drive’s premium version.
Dropbox is actually quite comparable to WeTransfer when it comes to its file-sharing capabilities. For instance, both of these services’ free version only allow you to send 2 GB worth of data. We believe there are better WeTransfer alternatives out there.
