How to Send Large Files for Free in 2026
You have a video, a project folder, or a dataset that someone else needs. Email caps out at 25 MB. Cloud storage wants you to make an account. The paid transfer services hit you with a paywall halfway through the upload.
We tested 22 file transfer services and wrote down what we actually found, not what their marketing pages say. We built sto.care, so yes, we are biased. But we also genuinely use these other services and where something is better than us, we say so.
Quick answer
Short on time? Pick one of these:
- Simplest option: sto.care or TransferNow (5 GB, no account, no ads)
- Biggest free limit: SwissTransfer (50 GB) or SendBig (30 GB with free account)
- Most secure: Wormhole or Tresorit Send (end-to-end encrypted)
- Already have an account: Google Drive or Proton Drive
- Both online right now: PairDrop or ToffeeShare (no size limit, P2P)
How it actually works (the short version)
Regardless of which service you pick, the process is basically the same:
- Open the service in your browser.
- Drag your file onto the page (or click to browse).
- Wait for the upload to finish. Large files on slower connections can take a few minutes.
- Copy the download link and send it to whoever needs the file.
- The recipient clicks the link and downloads. Most services do not require them to sign up.
The differences are in the details: size limits, how long the link lasts, whether you need an account, and what happens to your data. That is what the rest of this guide covers.
Every service, reviewed
Upload and share
These work like WeTransfer: upload a file, get a link, send it. The file sits on the service's servers until it expires. This is the easiest option for most people.
sto.care
5 GBNo account · 7 days · No ads
Good forQuick, one-off file sends up to 5 GB when you do not want to create an account or deal with ads.
Watch outNo password protection. No desktop or mobile app. If you need to send more than 5 GB, look at SwissTransfer or SendBig.
AES-256 at rest, TLS in transit
WeTransfer
3 GBNo account · 3 days · Shows ads · 10 transfers/month, 3 GB monthly cap
Good forBrand everyone recognizes. Works fine for small, occasional sends under 3 GB.
Watch out3-day expiry is tight. Monthly caps can lock you out. In July 2025, they tried updating their terms to allow AI training on uploads (reversed after backlash). Ads on the download page.
AES-256 at rest, TLS in transit
TransferNow
5 GBNo account · 7 days · No ads
Good forSolid WeTransfer replacement with the same simplicity. Free password protection and antivirus scanning on uploads.
Watch outLess well-known, so the recipient might not recognize the download page. EU-hosted only.
AES-256 at rest, TLS in transit, EU servers
SwissTransfer
50 GBNo account · 1 to 30 days (you choose) · No ads · 250 downloads per transfer, 500 transfers/day
Good forThe biggest free limit you will find. Great for video editors, photographers, or anyone sending files over 5 GB.
Watch outNot end-to-end encrypted, so Infomaniak can technically access files on the server. Interface is busier than simpler services.
AES-256 at rest, Swiss data centers
Smash
2 GBNo account · 7 days · No ads · Free transfers queued (lower priority)
Good forClean experience with no ads. They show creative art projects instead of advertisements.
Watch out2 GB is on the lower end. Free transfers are deprioritized so uploads might be slower during busy periods.
AES-256, regular third-party security audits
Filemail
5 GBNo account · 30 days · No ads · Free tier is for occasional use
Good forNative apps for every platform: Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, iOS. 30-day expiry is much longer than most free services. UDP transfer protocol speeds up large uploads.
Watch outFree tier is marketed for occasional use, so heavy senders may hit undocumented limits.
TLS in transit, encrypted at rest
pCloud Transfer
5 GBNo account · 7 days · No ads
Good forBacked by Swiss cloud storage company. Optional client-side encryption if you want extra security (capped at 200 MB).
Watch outThe encrypted transfer mode caps files at 200 MB, which defeats the purpose for large files.
TLS in transit, optional client-side encryption
SendBig
30 GB (free account) / 5 GB (no account)Optional free account for 30 GB · 7 days · Shows ads
Good forIf you need to send something between 5 and 30 GB for free. Creating an account bumps you from 5 GB to 30 GB.
Watch outShows ads. No encryption at rest. The 30 GB limit requires creating an account.
TLS in transit
Drime
Up to 100 GB (claimed)Free account required · Configurable · No ads · 20 GB free storage included
Good forGenerous free tier with 20 GB storage, plus file transfer, PDF editing, and electronic signatures all in one place.
Watch outNewer service with less track record. Transfer limits are not clearly documented on their site, so test with a small file first.
AES-256 at rest, French data centers
FileTransfer.io
6 GBNo account · 21 days · No ads · 50 downloads per transfer, 100 GB total storage
Good forLongest expiry of the simpler services at 21 days. Good when you are not sure the other person will download quickly.
Watch out50-download cap per transfer. No encryption at rest.
TLS in transit
file.io
4 GBNo account · Deleted after 1 download (14-day max) · No ads · One download per file, then it is gone
Good forFile self-destructs after the recipient downloads it once. Good for sensitive one-off sends. Default 14-day expiry if never downloaded.
Watch outIf the download fails or the recipient needs to grab it again, the file is already gone. No second chances.
TLS in transit, encrypted at rest
Dropbox Transfer
2 GB (free) / 100 GB (paid)Dropbox account required · 7 days · No ads · Uses your Dropbox storage quota
Good forOnly makes sense if you already have a Dropbox account. Lets you send files from your existing Dropbox without re-uploading.
Watch out2 GB free limit is below most competitors. Requires a full Dropbox account. Eats into your storage quota.
AES-256 at rest, TLS in transit
Pixeldrain
10 GBNo account · 60 days after last download · No ads · 5-6 GB daily download limit per IP, throttled after
Good forGenerous size limit and long retention (60 days). Independently run from the Netherlands. No tracking scripts.
Watch outDownload speeds get throttled after 5-6 GB per day. Not encrypted at rest.
TLS in transit
Privacy-focused (end-to-end encrypted)
These services encrypt your file before it leaves your browser. The company running the service cannot see what you uploaded. Use these when you are sending something sensitive.
Wormhole
10 GBNo account · 24 hours (configurable down to 60 min) · No ads · Files over 5 GB use P2P (both must be online)
Good forBest free E2E encrypted option. Built by a security researcher. Files under 5 GB stored encrypted on server; over 5 GB go direct.
Watch out24-hour expiry is short. Files over 5 GB need both people online at the same time.
End-to-end, 128-bit AES-GCM, keys never leave your browser
Tresorit Send
5 GBNo account · 7 days · No ads · 10 downloads per link, 100 files per transfer
Good forEnterprise-grade encryption without needing an account. You can revoke links and get notified when someone downloads.
Watch out10-download limit is tight if you are sharing with a group. Max 100 files per transfer.
End-to-end, zero-knowledge architecture
Internxt Send
5 GBNo account · 15 days · No ads · 100 files per transfer
Good forOpen-source and E2E encrypted with the longest expiry of the encrypted services (15 days). Based in the EU.
Watch outSmaller company than Tresorit or Proton. Less established track record.
End-to-end, zero-knowledge, open-source
Proton Drive
No per-file limit (5 GB total storage)Free Proton account required · You control it (password + expiration on links) · No ads · 5 GB total free storage
Good forIf you already use Proton Mail or Proton VPN. Swiss jurisdiction, zero-knowledge encryption, open-source clients.
Watch outRequires creating a Proton account. 5 GB is total storage, not per transfer. Files you share eat into that.
End-to-end, zero-knowledge, Swiss jurisdiction
Cloud storage with sharing
If you already have an account with one of these, you can share files through them. The downside is that you need an account, the file counts against your storage, and you have to remember to delete it later.
Google Drive
5 TB per file (15 GB free storage)Google account required · No expiry (stored until you delete) · No ads · 15 GB shared across Gmail, Drive, and Photos
Good forAlmost everyone already has a Google account. Works well when you are already in Gmail and want to attach something large.
Watch outGoogle scans your files. 15 GB is shared with Gmail and Photos so it fills up. Recipient may need to sign in depending on sharing settings.
AES-256 at rest, TLS in transit. Not E2E encrypted
MEGA
No per-file limit (20 GB free storage)Account required · No expiry (but inactive files may be removed) · No ads · Variable download limit based on IP and network load (6-hour window)
Good forOnly major cloud storage with E2E encryption on the free tier. 20 GB free storage.
Watch outFree users hit a variable download limit that depends on location and server load. Recipients may get throttled or temporarily blocked when downloading large files. Free shared links cannot be password-protected.
End-to-end encrypted, zero-knowledge
Direct transfer (peer-to-peer)
These send the file directly from your browser to the other person. Nothing gets stored on a server. The catch is that both of you need to be online at the same time.
PairDrop
No limitNo account · Instant (direct transfer) · No ads · Both people must be on the same network (or use pairing codes)
Good forSending files to someone in the same room or on the same Wi-Fi. Works like Apple AirDrop but in a browser, on any device.
Watch outOnly works when both people are online. Replaces Snapdrop, which was bought by LimeWire in 2025 and is no longer trustworthy.
WebRTC DTLS end-to-end
ToffeeShare
No limitNo account · Available while sender's tab is open · No ads · Sender must keep their browser tab open
Good forTrue zero-storage P2P. Your file never touches any server. Unlimited file sizes. Transfers resume if your device briefly sleeps.
Watch outIf you close your browser tab, the link dies. The other person needs to download while you have the page open.
WebRTC DTLS, data never touches their servers
Send Anywhere
50 GB (direct) / 10 GB (link)No account · Real-time (direct) / 48 hours (link) · Shows ads · Paid plans remove ads and increase link size
Good forThe 6-digit code feature is great for sending files between your own devices or to someone on a call with you. Up to 50 GB direct.
Watch outShows ads on the free tier. No password protection or custom expiry without paying.
TLS in transit, P2P for direct transfers
Services to avoid
A couple of services look good on paper but have serious problems:
TeraBox
Offers 1 TB free, which sounds amazing. But it is connected to Baidu, falls under Chinese data laws, plasters ads everywhere, throttles download speeds, and tracks your activity for advertising. Not worth the privacy risk.
ShareDrop / Snapdrop
Both were acquired by LimeWire in 2025. Files now get uploaded to LimeWire servers instead of going peer-to-peer. The source code is no longer open. Use PairDrop instead.
FAQ
What is the largest file I can send for free?
SwissTransfer lets you send up to 50 GB with no account. SendBiggoes up to 30 GB if you create a free account. For something simpler, sto.care, TransferNow, and Filemail all handle up to 5 GB with no account required.
Which service is the most secure?
For end-to-end encryption (where the service itself cannot see your files), Wormhole, Tresorit Send, and Internxt Send are the best free options. For maximum privacy, PairDrop and ToffeeShare send files directly between browsers with no server storage at all.
Do I need an account to send large files?
Most of the services on this list work without one. sto.care, WeTransfer, SwissTransfer, TransferNow, Smash, Filemail, pCloud Transfer, Wormhole, and Tresorit Send all work without creating an account. See our guide on file sharing without sign up for more detail on how each handles identity.
Is WeTransfer still worth using?
It works, but the free tier has gotten more restrictive: 3 GB limit, 3-day expiry, 10 transfers per month, and ads on the download page. In July 2025, they also tried updating their terms to allow AI training on uploads (they reversed it after users pushed back). We wrote a full breakdown of WeTransfer alternatives if you want the details.