The best WeTransfer alternative depends on what you need: RocketShare for end-to-end encrypted transfers with longer-lasting links, SwissTransfer for up to 50 GB free per transfer, Smash for large free transfers without a hard cap, and Wormhole or Tresorit Send for quick, free encrypted sends.
WeTransfer remains simple and widely recognised, with paid plans that handle up to 1 TB per transfer. But its standard plans are not end-to-end encrypted and its free plan has become tighter, so many people now compare WeTransfer alternatives before sending sensitive or larger files. Facts below are as of October 2026.
Why people look for a WeTransfer alternative
- Account required to send. Since November 2024, every WeTransfer sender needs an account.
- A tighter free plan. WeTransfer Free allows 3 GB or 10 transfers per rolling 30 days, with links that expire after at most 3 days, and is for "individual, non-commercial use only". Free and Starter also show advertising wallpapers.
- No end-to-end encryption on standard plans. Files are encrypted with TLS in transit and AES-256 at rest. End-to-end encryption is listed only on the Enterprise plan.
- Ownership and terms changes. WeTransfer was acquired by Bending Spoons in July 2024. In July 2025 a terms update mentioning machine learning drew criticism; WeTransfer removed that wording and now states that content is not used to train AI.
To be fair to WeTransfer: it is ISO/IEC 27001 certified, recipients need no account, and Ultimate (€23/month) offers up to 1 TB per transfer, unlimited expiry, branding and malware scanning. If those matter most, it may still be the right tool. See the full RocketShare vs WeTransfer comparison.
What to look for in an alternative
- Encryption model. "Encrypted at rest" protects against outsiders. End-to-end (client-side) encryption also keeps the provider out.
- Size and quota. Per-transfer caps and monthly quotas vary from 2 GB to 50 GB free.
- Link lifetime. From 24 hours to 30 days free, and longer on paid plans.
- Account rules for senders and recipients.
- Data location and the company's jurisdiction.
- Controls such as passwords, download limits and expiry.
WeTransfer alternatives compared
| RocketShare | SwissTransfer | Smash | Wormhole | Tresorit Send | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| End-to-end encrypted | Yes (contents) | No | Not described | Yes (incl. file names) | Yes |
| Free size | 4 GB/month (account); 2 GB per transfer without | 50 GB per transfer | No hard cap; over 2 GB queued | 10 GB (over 5 GB peer-to-peer) | 5 GB |
| Free link lifetime | Up to 7 days | Up to 30 days | 7 days by default | Up to 24 hours | 7 days |
| Password | Yes (free account) | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
| Sender account | Optional | Email code | No | No | Email address |
| Paid plans | From $3/month | Via Infomaniak kSuite | Pro from $10/month | None | Tresorit plans |
| Based in | Netherlands | Switzerland | France | United States | Switzerland |
1. RocketShare: end-to-end encrypted transfers
RocketShare is a browser-based file transfer service that encrypts file contents end-to-end (zero-knowledge) before upload. It is based in the Netherlands and stores files in Amsterdam. Each transfer gets a random 256-bit key, files are encrypted with AES-256-GCM in your browser, and the key sits in the link after the #, which is never sent to the server. RocketShare can't read your files when you share the link yourself.
The free account includes 4 GB and 10 transfers per month, links up to 7 days, password protection and download limits. Without an account you can send up to 2 GB per transfer with 3-day links. Paid plans run from $3/month (60 GB) to $18/month for Pro (unlimited, 10 TB/month fair use, 90-day links). Folder uploads keep their structure.
Honest limits: file names, sizes and your message are not encrypted; using "Send via email" passes the key through the server; there are no apps, no API and no 2FA; and there is no malware scanning. Read the security whitepaper or check pricing.
2. SwissTransfer: the largest free transfers
SwissTransfer, run by Infomaniak in Geneva, sends up to 50 GB per transfer for free, with no monthly transfer limit, up to 250 downloads and links valid up to 30 days. Files stay in Infomaniak's own Swiss data centers, there are no ads, and content is not used for AI training. Password protection is free and there are iOS and Android apps.
The trade-off: SwissTransfer states its encryption "is not end-to-end encryption", and "Download all" ZIPs only work up to 10 GB. See RocketShare vs SwissTransfer.
3. Smash: large free transfers without a hard cap
Smash, a French company based in Lyon, places no hard size limit on free transfers and needs no account. Free transfers above 2 GB are queued behind paying users. Links last 7 days by default, password protection is free, and Pro ($10/month, or $72/year) adds branding, download tracking and availability up to 30 days.
Smash encrypts files with TLS in transit and AES-256 at rest, and does not describe client-side, zero-knowledge encryption. Free transfers show advertising on loading and download screens. See RocketShare vs Smash.
4. Wormhole: fast, free and encrypted, but short-lived
Wormhole encrypts files in the browser with 128-bit AES-GCM and puts the key in the URL fragment. It also encrypts file names. Transfers up to 5 GB are stored for up to 24 hours; up to 10 GB works peer-to-peer, but only while the sender keeps the page open. You can cap downloads at 1 to 100.
There is no password option, no paid plan and no account history. Wormhole is a US company and stores encrypted files on Backblaze. See RocketShare vs Wormhole.
5. Tresorit Send: free encrypted sending from a security vendor
Tresorit Send is a free tool from Tresorit, the Swiss end-to-end encrypted cloud provider. It sends up to 5 GB and 100 files per upload; the decryption key is in the link and never stored on Tresorit's servers. Links last 7 days, each file can be downloaded up to 10 times, and you can add a password. You enter an email address but don't register.
Limits: 5 GB, fixed 7-day expiry, and Tresorit says a third-party audit of Send is still on its roadmap. Tresorit's paid cloud plans, which also encrypt file and folder names, are aimed at storage and collaboration. See RocketShare vs Tresorit.
How to choose
- Confidential files (contracts, health, finance, unreleased work): RocketShare, Wormhole or Tresorit Send. Choose RocketShare if you need more than 10 GB, links longer than a day, or a paid plan that scales.
- Biggest free transfer, not sensitive: SwissTransfer, or Smash if you can wait in the queue.
- Branding and client presentation: Smash Pro or WeTransfer Ultimate.
- Single transfers up to 1 TB with unlimited expiry: WeTransfer Ultimate.
Also comparing SwissTransfer? Read SwissTransfer alternatives. To try RocketShare, start a transfer without signing up.