Dropbox File Requests let you collect files from anyone into your Dropbox folder. The concept is great — the execution has limits. On the free plan you get 2 GB of total storage. That's roughly 400 photos or one short video project. Hit the cap and uploads silently fail. Your client thinks they sent the files. You never received them.
If you've run into this, here are five alternatives worth trying.
1. getfiles.app
A temporary upload page you create in 10 seconds. No account needed — not for you, not for the person uploading. Share a link, receive files, download as ZIP.
What makes it different from Dropbox File Requests: - No storage tied to your personal cloud account - Resumable uploads — if the connection drops on a 500 MB file, it picks up where it left off - File checklists — specify exactly which files you need ("Passport", "Diploma", "Photo") and see what's missing - Custom branding — add your logo and colors so the upload page looks like yours - Works in 19 languages automatically
Best for: Quick, one-off file collection. Freelancers, event organizers, small teams.
Price: Free.
2. Google Drive (shared folder)
Create a folder in Google Drive, set permissions to "Anyone with the link can upload," and share the link.
Pros: Free 15 GB storage. Most people already have a Google account. Cons: Uploaders need a Google account. No way to see who uploaded what. Folder can get messy fast. No expiration or password protection.
Best for: Internal teams already using Google Workspace.
3. WeTransfer
The sender goes to wetransfer.com, selects files, and sends them to your email.
Pros: Simple UI. No account needed for sender. Cons: This is the opposite flow — the sender initiates, not you. You can't create a "request" link. Free plan caps at 2 GB per transfer. Files expire in 7 days. No way to organize or track what you've received.
Best for: One-time transfers when someone asks "how should I send you this file?"
4. OneDrive File Request
Similar to Dropbox — you create a request link, people upload to your OneDrive folder.
Pros: 5 GB free storage (more than Dropbox). Uploaders don't need a Microsoft account. Cons: Only available with OneDrive for Business in some configurations. The UI is confusing. Your admin may need to enable "Anyone links" before it works. Files go into your personal OneDrive storage.
Best for: Organizations already on Microsoft 365.
5. Google Forms with file upload
Add a "File upload" field to a Google Form. Responses go to your Google Drive.
Pros: Free. You can add extra questions alongside the file upload. Cons: Uploaders must sign into a Google account — this is the biggest dealbreaker. Limit of 10 files per upload. Max 10 GB per form. Clunky interface for file-heavy submissions.
Best for: Surveys that include a file attachment, not dedicated file collection.
Comparison table
| Feature | Dropbox Request | getfiles.app | Google Drive | WeTransfer | OneDrive | Google Forms |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Uploader needs account | No | No | Yes (Google) | No | No* | Yes (Google) |
| Free storage | 2 GB | Generous | 15 GB | 2 GB/transfer | 5 GB | 10 GB/form |
| Resume failed uploads | No | Yes | No | No | No | No |
| File checklist | No | Yes | No | No | No | No |
| Custom branding | No | Yes | No | No | No | No |
| Password protection | No | Yes | No | No | No | No |
| Expiration control | No | Yes | No | 7 days fixed | No | No |
*OneDrive may require business account and admin setup.
Which one should you pick?
If you're collecting files from people outside your organization — clients, candidates, wedding guests, students — you want minimal friction. That means no account requirement, no storage caps, and a link you can share in 10 seconds.
For occasional internal file sharing within a team already on Google or Microsoft, their built-in tools work fine.
For everything else, a dedicated upload tool like getfiles.app gives you more control with less setup.