Download link or direct transfer
There are two ways to move a big file for free. Pick the one that fits who receives it:
| Way | Examples | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Transfer link | SwissTransfer, Smash, TransferNow, Filemail, pCloud Transfer, Tresorit Send, MyAirBridge | Sending to anyone by email or chat; the file waits on a server until it expires |
| Device to device | AirDrop, Quick Share, PairDrop | Moving files between your own devices or to someone in the same room |
| Command line and self-hosted | croc, magic-wormhole, OnionShare, Send | Technical users who want open source tools or their own server |
Moving files between your own computers on the same network? Open-source alternatives includes LocalSend, which needs no internet connection.
Size limits and expiry compared
These are the free limits stated on the official pages:
| Service | Size per transfer | Link available | Account |
|---|---|---|---|
| SwissTransfer | 50 GB | Up to 30 days | Not required |
| MyAirBridge | 20 GiB | Not stated | Not stated |
| TransferNow | 5 GB | 7 days | Not required |
| Filemail | 5 GB | Not stated | Not required |
| pCloud Transfer | 5 GB, 200 MB per file | Not stated | Not required |
| Tresorit Send | 5 GB | Not stated | Not stated |
| Smash | 2 GB with priority; bigger transfers queue | 7 days | Not required |
Download the file soon after you get the link. Once a transfer expires, TransferNow says it cannot be recovered.
Make the file smaller first
Often the file does not need to be that big. Google's help page says personal Gmail accounts can send attachments up to 25 MB, and bigger files are added as a Google Drive link instead. Shrinking the file first can keep it in the email itself.
- Compress PDF: recompress the photos and scans inside a PDF.
- Image compressor: shrink JPG, PNG and WebP files.
- Video compressor: lower the resolution and bitrate of a video in your browser.
Our guide to email attachment size limits lists the limits of the big mail services and why a 20 MB file can fail at 25 MB.
What the vendors say about privacy
These are the vendors' own statements, not our tests:
- SwissTransfer says files are stored exclusively in Switzerland, in Infomaniak's data centers.
- croc says it provides end-to-end encryption using PAKE, with peer-to-peer transfer and a relay as fallback.
- Send describes itself as a way to send encrypted files, and you can run your own instance.
- OnionShare shares files over the Tor network.
For sensitive files, read the service's own privacy and security pages before you upload, and send the link and any password through different channels.
Plan the upload
A 10 GB upload on a slow connection can take hours. Check the time first with the download time calculator, and convert between GB and GiB, which some services use, with the data storage converter.
To keep files online for longer than a transfer link lasts, see free cloud storage. We opened each tool's official page on the date in the table and wrote down only what it says. "Not stated" means the page does not say it.
Frequently asked questions
What is the biggest file I can send for free?
Among the services we checked, SwissTransfer allows the most: 50 GB per transfer, all files combined, without an account. MyAirBridge says you can send up to 20 GiB for free. TransferNow, Filemail, pCloud Transfer and Tresorit Send allow 5 GB.
How long do free download links last?
It depends on the service. SwissTransfer keeps files up to 30 days, depending on the sender's settings. TransferNow and Smash keep free transfers for 7 days. Several other services do not state the expiry on the pages we checked.
Can I send large files without creating an account?
Yes. SwissTransfer, Smash, TransferNow, Filemail and pCloud Transfer all say free transfers need no sign-up or registration. PairDrop says no setup and no signup.
How do I send a file that is too big for Gmail?
Google says personal Gmail accounts can attach up to 25 MB, and bigger files are added as a Google Drive link. You can also compress the file first or send a link from a transfer service.
Does AirDrop have a file size limit?
Apple's AirDrop help article does not state a file size limit. It says both devices need Wi-Fi and Bluetooth turned on and must be nearby, and Personal Hotspot must be off.