Yes. AlterSend is free and open source (Apache-2.0). There's no Pro tier or subscription — the peer-to-peer transfer core stays free.

Is there a file size limit?

No. WeTransfer's free plan stops at 2 GB per transfer. AlterSend has no limit — you're transferring directly rather than uploading to a service, so a photo or a 200 GB folder use the same flow.

Where are my files stored?

Nowhere. Files travel straight from one device to the other, end-to-end encrypted, and are never stored on a server. WeTransfer, by contrast, uploads and holds every file on its own cloud.

Do the files expire like on WeTransfer?

There's nothing to expire — AlterSend has no download links and stores no files. WeTransfer deletes free transfers after 7 days.

Do I need an account or email?

No. WeTransfer asks for your email (and the recipient's). AlterSend asks for nothing — open the app, pair with a QR code, and send.

When should I use WeTransfer instead?

WeTransfer's one real edge is that it's asynchronous: you upload, share a link, and the recipient downloads whenever — even if you've gone offline. AlterSend is a live, direct transfer, so both devices need to be online at the same time. For a fire-and-forget link to someone in another timezone, WeTransfer fits; for private, unlimited, instant transfers, AlterSend wins.

AlterSend

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AlterSend vs WeTransfer.

WeTransfer uploads your files to its cloud and caps free transfers at 2 GB. AlterSend sends them straight between your devices — end-to-end encrypted, no size limits, no account, free.

Download free See the comparison

AlterSend desktop app — a private, unlimited alternative to WeTransfer

The difference, side by side

WeTransfer

AlterSend

Price

Free plan + paid Pro

Free & open source

Max file size

2 GB on the free plan

No limit

Where your files go

Uploaded to their cloud

Never leave your devices

Encryption

In transit & at rest

End-to-end

Account / email

Email required

None

Files expire

After 7 days (free)

Nothing is stored

Apps

Web + mobile

Native: Win, Mac, Linux, iOS, Android

Why switch

Where AlterSend pulls ahead

No size limits

Send 50 GB as easily as 50 MB. WeTransfer's free plan stops at 2 GB.

Files never touch the cloud storage

Direct and end-to-end encrypted. WeTransfer uploads and stores every file on its servers.

Nothing expires

No 7-day countdown and no dead links. WeTransfer deletes free transfers after a week.

No account, no email

Just open and send. WeTransfer wants your email and the recipient's.

Free and open source

No Pro tier, no subscription. Apache-2.0 and auditable.

Native apps, every platform

Windows, Mac, Linux, iPhone, Android — not a browser tab.

Send a file in seconds

01
Install on both devices
Free on Windows, Mac, Linux, iPhone, and Android.
02
Scan a code to pair
One QR scan connects them. Pair once — they remember each other.
03
Send, directly
Files go straight across, encrypted. Any size, no cloud storage.

Questions

Ditch the 2 GB cap and the cloud.

Download free Star on GitHub

Free, open source, and native on Windows, Mac, Linux, iPhone, and Android.