WeTransfer is great for what it does: you pick files, enter an email, hit send. Simple. But it has limitations that push people to search for alternatives:
The 2 GB limit. Free plan caps at 2 GB per transfer. One short video or a batch of high-resolution photos and you're over the limit.
The sender initiates. You can't create a "send me files" link. If you need files FROM someone, you have to explain to them how to use WeTransfer. Some people will. Most won't bother.
Files expire in 7 days. Miss the download window and the files are gone. No extension, no recovery.
No organization. If five people send you files via WeTransfer, you get five separate emails with five separate download links. No dashboard, no overview.
No file checklist. You can't specify "I need these 5 specific documents." You get whatever the sender decides to include.
If any of these bother you, here are alternatives — each solving a different problem.
1. getfiles.app — Best for receiving files from others
The key difference: Instead of the sender going to a website and figuring out how to send, YOU create a link and share it. The sender just clicks, uploads, done.
How it works:
1. Go to getfiles.app, type what you need
2. Get a short link like getfiles.app/a3kx9p
3. Share it with whoever needs to send you files
4. They upload without creating an account
5. You download everything as ZIP
What it does better than WeTransfer: - You create the request, not the sender — less friction for them - File checklist — specify exactly what you need - Resumable uploads — large files don't restart if connection drops - Custom branding — your logo on the upload page - QR code — print for in-person collection (events, meetings) - No account needed — for anyone - Dashboard showing all uploads in one place
What it doesn't do: WeTransfer-style sender-initiated transfers. This is specifically for when YOU need files from someone else.
Price: Free.
2. Dropbox Transfer — Best for sending large files
The key difference: Higher file size limits than WeTransfer free.
How it works: Upload files to Dropbox Transfer, get a download link, share it. Recipients don't need a Dropbox account.
Better than WeTransfer: Up to 100 MB on free plan, 2 GB with Dropbox Basic (free account), 100 GB with paid plans. Password protection available. Custom branding on paid plans. Download tracking — see who downloaded.
Worse than WeTransfer: Requires a Dropbox account to send. Free tier is actually smaller than WeTransfer's 2 GB.
Price: Free with Dropbox account. Paid plans from $12/month.
3. Google Drive — Best if everyone uses Google
How it works: Upload files to Drive, right-click, share link. Or use a shared folder for two-way sharing.
Better than WeTransfer: 15 GB free storage. No expiration — files stay until you delete them. Real-time collaboration. Folder organization.
Worse than WeTransfer: Recipients need a Google account for full functionality. Not designed for one-time transfers — it's a storage tool. Sharing permissions are confusing. No "send to email" simplicity.
Price: Free (15 GB). Paid from $2/month.
4. Smash — Best for no size limit
How it works: Same model as WeTransfer — upload, get link, share. But no file size limit on free plan.
Better than WeTransfer: No file size limit. Customizable download page. Preview files before downloading.
Worse than WeTransfer: Free transfers expire in 7 days (same as WeTransfer). Less well-known — some recipients might not trust the link. Still sender-initiated only.
Price: Free (no size limit). Paid from $5/month.
5. Swiss Transfer — Best for privacy
How it works: Upload files, get a download link. Hosted in Switzerland with strong privacy laws.
Better than WeTransfer: 50 GB file size limit. Swiss data protection. Choose expiration: 1-30 days. Password protection on free plan.
Worse than WeTransfer: Slower uploads for users outside Europe. Less polished interface. Still sender-initiated.
Price: Free (50 GB).
Comparison table
| Feature | WeTransfer | getfiles.app | Dropbox Transfer | Google Drive | Smash | Swiss Transfer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| You create a request link | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
| File size limit (free) | 2 GB | Generous | 100 MB | 15 GB | Unlimited | 50 GB |
| Account needed to send | No | No | Yes (Dropbox) | Yes (Google) | No | No |
| Account needed to receive | No | No | No | Partial | No | No |
| Password protection | Paid | Free | Paid | No | Paid | Free |
| File checklist | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
| Resumable uploads | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ |
| QR code | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
| Custom branding | Paid | Free | Paid | ❌ | Free | ❌ |
| Expiration | 7 days | 7-10 days | 7 days | Never | 7 days | 1-30 days |
Which one should you pick?
"I need someone to send ME files" → getfiles.app. You create the link, they upload. Zero friction for the sender.
"I need to send a very large file" → Smash (no size limit) or Swiss Transfer (50 GB).
"I need to send files with privacy guarantees" → Swiss Transfer (Swiss hosting) or getfiles.app (password protection + auto-delete).
"I send files regularly and need tracking" → Dropbox Transfer with a paid plan.
"Everyone in my team uses Google" → Google Drive. Not the best for external transfers, but fine internally.
The real question
Most people searching for a "WeTransfer alternative" actually have one of two problems:
They need to SEND a large file — and WeTransfer's 2 GB limit is too small. For this, Smash or Swiss Transfer work.
They need to RECEIVE files from someone — and WeTransfer doesn't do this at all. For this, getfiles.app is the answer. Create a link, share it, receive files. That's the workflow WeTransfer is missing.
→ Need to receive files? getfiles.app — free, 10 seconds, no sign-up.