Sending a big file should be simple, and it mostly is, as long as you pick the right kind of tool. Upload services like WeTransfer and SwissTransfer give you a download link that works anywhere. Direct transfer tools like PairDrop send files straight from one device to another without storing them in the cloud. Each approach has different limits, and in 2026 some of those limits changed.
This guide compares the main free options, explains the limits that catch people out, and shows which tool fits which job. Limits come from each service’s official help pages or source code, checked on 27 October 2026.
Two ways to send a file
You upload, the service stores the file for a set time, and the recipient downloads from a link, whenever and wherever they are.
Both devices are online at the same time and the file goes straight between them. Nothing waits on a server.
Google Drive, OneDrive and similar. Best for files people keep working on together, not one-off sends.
The main free tools compared
| Tool | Type | Free limit | How long files last | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WeTransfer | Upload and link | 10 transfers or 3 GB in any rolling 30-day window | Limited period; not stated in the plan-limits article | Paid Starter raises it to 10 transfers or 300 GB; Ultimate is unlimited |
| SwissTransfer | Upload and link | Up to 50 GB per transfer | 1 to 30 days, chosen by you | Run by Infomaniak in Switzerland; download caps of 1 to 250 and optional password |
| PairDrop | Direct (peer-to-peer) | No account; open source | Not stored: both devices must be online | Works on the same network, between paired devices, or in temporary public rooms |
| Snapdrop | Changed in 2025 | Now part of LimeWire, advertising up to 40 GB storage for free users | Depends on LimeWire’s service | No longer the simple local-network tool it was; see our comparison |
WeTransfer: still the default, with tighter free limits
“We transfer” is one of the most searched file-sharing terms worldwide, and for good reason: you add files, enter an email or copy a link, and you’re done. But the free plan is more limited than many people remember. According to WeTransfer’s help centre, free users can send up to 10 transfers or 3 GB in total in any rolling 30-day window. That isn’t a calendar month, so the count looks back 30 days from today.
That’s fine for occasional documents and photos. If you regularly send video or design files, you’ll hit the cap quickly, and the paid Starter plan raises the volume to 300 GB in the same window.
SwissTransfer: large free transfers with more control
SwissTransfer is run by Infomaniak, a Swiss cloud provider. Its headline is size: according to Infomaniak’s FAQ, it accepts transfers of up to 50 GB. You choose how long the link lasts (1 to 30 days on free accounts) and how many times files can be downloaded (1, 20, 100 or 250), and you can add a password.
Two SwissTransfer details worth knowing
If you pick 30 days, Infomaniak says files are deleted after 15 days unless you accept an extension it emails you on day 12. And if a “download all” ZIP would exceed 10 GB, recipients have to download the files one by one. Expired links can’t be reactivated.
PairDrop: direct transfer between your own devices
PairDrop is an open-source, browser-based tool inspired by Apple’s AirDrop. Open it on two devices on the same Wi-Fi and they see each other, then click a device to send. Files travel peer-to-peer over WebRTC rather than being uploaded for storage.
- Same networkDevices on one Wi-Fi appear automatically. This is ideal for phone-to-laptop transfers at home or in the office.
- Paired devicesPair two devices once with a 6-digit code or QR code, and they find each other later even on different networks.
- Public roomsJoin a temporary room with a 5-letter code to send to someone outside your network. The room ends when you close PairDrop.
One honest caveat from PairDrop’s README: when two devices can’t connect directly (for example behind strict networks), the transfer is relayed through PairDrop’s TURN server. Organisations that want full control can self-host PairDrop with Docker or Node.js. For the full story of how it relates to Snapdrop, see Snapdrop vs PairDrop.
Other tools people search for
LetShare is listed in the Windows package manager as a small terminal-based tool for sharing files on a local network, which makes sense for technical users but not for most people. We couldn’t find a reliable official source for a tool called “DropMMS”, so we can’t recommend it. With any little-known file-sharing site, be careful: it will see every file you send.
Which tool should you use?
Use an upload service when
- The recipient is somewhere else, or not online right now
- You need a link to paste in an email or chat
- Files are large (SwissTransfer up to 50 GB)
- You want expiry dates or download limits
Use direct transfer when
- Both devices are with you or online together
- You’d rather files weren’t stored on a server
- You’re moving files between your own phone and laptop
- You want no account and no transfer counting
Safety checklist for sending files
- For sensitive files, use a password and the shortest expiry that works.
- Limit downloads where the service allows it.
- Send the password through a different channel from the link.
- For highly confidential data, encrypt the file yourself (for example a password-protected archive) before uploading.
- Check the address bar: file-transfer brands are often imitated by phishing pages.
Our verdict
Bottom line
For quick, occasional sends, WeTransfer is still the easiest, within its free limit of 10 transfers or 3 GB per 30 days. For big files and more control, SwissTransfer handles up to 50 GB free with expiry, download caps and passwords. For moving files between your own devices without the cloud, PairDrop is the open-source choice now that Snapdrop has become part of LimeWire.
Limits were checked on 27 October 2026; file-transfer services change their free plans from time to time.
Common questions
What is the free limit on WeTransfer?
According to WeTransfer's help centre (updated October 2026), free users can send up to 10 transfers or 3 GB in total in any rolling 30-day window. Paid Starter raises this to 300 GB.
Is SwissTransfer free?
Yes. SwissTransfer, run by Infomaniak in Switzerland, sends up to 50 GB per transfer for free, with expiry from 1 to 30 days, download limits and optional password protection.
What is the best free alternative to WeTransfer for large files?
SwissTransfer is a strong option for large files, at up to 50 GB per transfer. If both devices are online at the same time, PairDrop sends files directly without uploading them for storage.
What is PairDrop?
PairDrop is an open-source, browser-based tool for sending files between devices, inspired by AirDrop. It works on the same network, between paired devices across networks, or in temporary public rooms.
Is Snapdrop still working?
Snapdrop was acquired by LimeWire in 2025. Its GitHub page now directs users to snapdrop.net or limewire.com, which offer a different, storage-based service. PairDrop is the actively maintained fork of the original idea.
Is it safe to send files with WeTransfer or SwissTransfer?
For everyday files, yes. For sensitive files, add a password where possible, choose a short expiry, limit downloads and send the password separately. Encrypt highly confidential files before uploading.
What is LetShare?
LetShare is a small terminal-based tool, available through the Windows package manager, for sharing files on a local network. It's aimed at technical users.
