What is the best free WeTransfer alternative?

For a genuinely free, unlimited, and private option, AlterSend: it's open source, sends files of any size directly between devices, and never uploads to a cloud. Smash and SwissTransfer are strong cloud-based options if you specifically need a shareable download link.

What's the best WeTransfer alternative with no size limit?

AlterSend (no limit, peer-to-peer) and Smash (no limit, cloud-based with a 14-day expiry) are the two clearest choices. AlterSend keeps files off any server; Smash stores them for link sharing.

What's the most private WeTransfer alternative?

AlterSend and LocalSend are the most private — both are end-to-end encrypted and keep files off the cloud entirely. AlterSend also works over the internet, while LocalSend is limited to the same local network.

WeTransfer has a free tier capped at 2 GB per transfer, with paid Pro plans for larger sizes and storage. Files are uploaded to its cloud and, on the free tier, deleted after 7 days.

AlterSendDownload

Guide · 2026

The best WeTransfer alternatives

WeTransfer caps free transfers at 2 GB and uploads every file to its cloud. Here are seven alternatives with more size, more privacy, or no account — compared honestly.

Get our top pick, free Compare all seven →

At a glance

WeTransfer on top for reference, then the seven alternatives.

Tool

Max size (free)

Files on cloud

Encryption

Price

WeTransferBASELINE

2 GB

Yes

In transit

Free / Pro

AlterSend

Unlimited

End-to-end

Free

Smash

Unlimited

Yes

In transit

Free

SwissTransfer

50 GB

Yes

In transit

Free

Send Anywhere

~10 GB

Relay

In transit

Free + ads

TransferNow

5 GB

Yes

Optional

Free

LocalSend

Unlimited

End-to-end

Free

Filemail

5 GB

Yes

In transit

Free + limits

The seven, in detail

AlterSendOur pick

Peer-to-peer, encrypted, unlimited, free

Unlimited sizeNo cloudEnd-to-endOpen source

Files travel directly between your devices, end-to-end encrypted, and never touch a cloud.

Best for: Privacy and unlimited file sizeWatch out: Both devices must be online at once — it's a live transfer, not a stored link

Download free →Full comparison vs WeTransfer →

Smash

No size limit on the free plan

Unlimited sizeCloud14-day expiry

Smash sends files of any size for free via a download link — but files are uploaded to its cloud and expire after 14 days.

Best for: Unlimited-size link sharingWatch out: Files are stored on their servers

SwissTransfer

Up to 50 GB free, Swiss privacy

50 GB freeCloudSwiss-hosted

A generous 50 GB free limit with no account and a privacy-first, Swiss-hosted reputation — still cloud-based.

Best for: Large one-off transfersWatch out: Cloud-based; transfers expire

Send Anywhere

Cross-platform, 6-digit keys

Relay serversAds on freeClosed source

Send between devices with a short key or a link. It routes transfers through its own relay servers and shows ads on the free tier.

Best for: Quick cross-device sendsWatch out: Relay servers and ads on free

TransferNow

5 GB free, password protection

5 GB freeCloudPassword option

A straightforward WeTransfer-style service with a 5 GB free limit and optional password protection.

Best for: Password-protected linksWatch out: 5 GB cap; cloud-based

LocalSend

Open source, no cloud, local only

Unlimited sizeNo cloudLocal network only

Open-source and end-to-end encrypted with no cloud and no account — but it only works between devices on the same network.

Best for: Same-Wi-Fi transfers with zero cloudWatch out: Local network only

Filemail

Very large files by link or email

Large filesCloudLimits on free

Built for sending large files via a link or straight to an email address. The free tier works but has limits and ads.

Best for: Emailing big filesWatch out: Cloud-based; limits and ads on free

Questions

Skip the cloud entirely with AlterSend.

Private, unlimited, and free. Native on Windows, Mac, Linux, iPhone, and Android.

Download free