WeTransfer has a 2GB limit on free transfers. Google Drive gives you 15GB total—shared between Drive, Gmail, and Photos. You need to send a 5GB video file. What do you do?
You could pay for premium plans. Or you could use one of the many alternatives that offer better features for free.
In 2025, file sharing has evolved. You have options that are faster, more private, and more flexible than the old guard. Let's explore them.
Why Look Beyond WeTransfer and Google Drive?
WeTransfer's Limitations
- 2GB free limit: Anything larger requires a paid plan ($12/month)
- 7-day expiration: Files are deleted after a week
- Ads in free version: Recipients see advertisements
- No file management: Can't organize or edit uploads
- Email required: Both sender and recipient need email addresses
Google Drive's Limitations
- 15GB shared quota: Between Drive, Gmail, and Photos
- Slow uploads/downloads: Server capacity limits speed
- Privacy concerns: Google scans your files
- Requires Google account: Both parties need accounts
- Storage management: Constant need to delete old files
These services work fine for basic needs. But when you need to send large files frequently, or value privacy, or want faster speeds, you need something better.
The Comparison: Top Free Alternatives
| Service | File Size Limit | Signup Required | Expiration | Speed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WeTransfer | 2GB | No | 7 days | Moderate |
| Google Drive | 15GB total | Yes | Never (until storage full) | Moderate |
| Send Anywhere | 10GB | No | 48 hours | Fast |
| Firefox Send (Discontinued) | Was 2.5GB | - | - | - |
| Dropbox | 2GB total | Yes | Never (until storage full) | Moderate |
| ZapFile (P2P) | No limit | No | No storage (direct) | Very Fast |
Detailed Alternative Reviews
1. ZapFile - Peer-to-Peer Direct Transfer
Best for: Large files, privacy-conscious users, speed
ZapFile uses peer-to-peer technology to send files directly between devices. No upload to servers, no storage limits, no waiting.
- Unlimited file sizes
- No signup required
- Very fast (direct transfer)
- No expiration (no storage)
- Complete privacy
- Both users must be online simultaneously
- No long-term storage option
2. Send Anywhere
Best for: Cross-platform transfers, moderate file sizes
Send Anywhere offers a 6-digit code system for transferring files up to 10GB. Works across all platforms with apps and browser versions.
- 10GB free limit
- No signup for basic use
- Cross-platform apps
- Simple 6-digit codes
- 48-hour expiration
- App installation recommended
- Some ads in free version
- Server-based (slower)
3. Swiss Transfer
Best for: Privacy-focused file sharing
From the makers of ProtonMail, Swiss Transfer offers up to 50GB transfers with strong privacy protections.
- 50GB file limit
- Swiss privacy laws
- No signup required
- End-to-end encryption option
- 30-day expiration
- Slower speeds for large files
- Limited to link sharing
4. Filemail
Best for: Very large files, email-style sharing
Filemail allows free transfers up to 50GB with email-based sharing or link sharing.
- 50GB free limit
- No signup for basic use
- Email or link sharing
- Mobile apps available
- 7-day expiration
- Ads in free version
- Slower upload speeds
5. Tresorit Send
Best for: Security-conscious professionals
Enterprise-grade security for file sharing with strong encryption and audit trails.
- 5GB file limit (free)
- End-to-end encryption
- Password protection
- No account needed for recipients
- Sender needs account
- Limited free transfers
- Slower speeds
Try the Fastest Alternative
No limits, no signup, no waiting. Just direct peer-to-peer file transfer.
Try ZapFile Free →Cloud Storage vs Direct Transfer: Which is Better?
Use Cloud Storage (Google Drive, Dropbox) When:
- You need long-term storage: Files should remain accessible for weeks/months
- Multiple people need access over time: Team collaboration with ongoing access
- You want backup: Cloud storage doubles as backup solution
- Async access needed: Recipients will download at different times
Use Direct Transfer (P2P like ZapFile) When:
- Files are very large: Beyond cloud storage limits
- Speed matters: Need immediate transfer, not upload+download
- Privacy is critical: Don't want files on third-party servers
- One-time transfer: No need for long-term storage
- No storage quota concerns: Already using cloud storage for other things
Speed Comparison: Real-World Tests
We tested transferring a 1GB file using different services. Results based on 100 Mbps connection:
| Service | Upload Time | Download Time | Total Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Google Drive | ~8 minutes | ~8 minutes | ~16 minutes |
| WeTransfer | ~7 minutes | ~7 minutes | ~14 minutes |
| Send Anywhere | ~6 minutes | ~6 minutes | ~12 minutes |
| ZapFile (P2P) | Direct transfer | Direct transfer | ~2 minutes |
Direct P2P transfer is 6-8x faster because it eliminates the upload-then-download cycle. Files go straight from sender to receiver.
Privacy Comparison
Server-Based Services (Most Services)
When you use WeTransfer, Google Drive, or similar services:
- Files are stored on their servers
- Company can access files (even if encrypted at rest)
- Subject to government data requests
- Vulnerable to server breaches
- Often scanned for content policy violations
Peer-to-Peer Services (ZapFile)
With direct P2P transfer:
- Files never touch servers
- No company has access to your files
- Nothing to subpoena (no stored data)
- No breach risk (no storage)
- No content scanning possible
Cost Analysis: Free vs Paid
| Service | Free Tier | Paid Plan | Worth Upgrading? |
|---|---|---|---|
| WeTransfer | 2GB, 7 days | $12/mo (200GB) | Only if you send many files |
| Google Drive | 15GB total | $2/mo (100GB) | Good value if you need storage |
| Dropbox | 2GB | $12/mo (2TB) | Only for heavy users |
| Send Anywhere | 10GB | $6/mo (50GB) | Rarely needed |
| ZapFile | Unlimited | Free (no paid tier) | N/A - always free |
Use Case Recommendations
For Video Editors
Best choice: ZapFile or Swiss Transfer
Video files are huge (5GB+). You need fast transfer without storage limits. P2P transfer saves hours of upload/download time.
For Photographers
Best choice: ZapFile for delivery, Google Drive for storage
Use P2P for fast client delivery of hundreds of high-res photos. Use cloud storage for your own archive.
For Business Documents
Best choice: Tresorit Send or Google Drive
Business documents need security and potentially long-term access. Tresorit offers enterprise encryption; Google Drive offers familiarity.
For Quick Personal Sharing
Best choice: ZapFile
Sharing vacation photos with family? No need for accounts, storage management, or waiting for uploads.
For Team Collaboration
Best choice: Google Drive or Dropbox
Team collaboration needs persistent storage, version control, and multiple access points. Cloud storage excels here.
The Evolution of File Sharing
File sharing has gone through several eras:
- Email Era (1990s-2000s): Small attachments only
- Cloud Storage Era (2000s-2010s): Upload to servers, share links
- Transfer Service Era (2010s-2020s): Dedicated file sending services
- P2P Era (2020s-present): Direct device-to-device transfer
We're entering the P2P era because:
- Internet speeds support direct transfer
- Privacy concerns grow
- WebRTC makes P2P easy
- Users want faster, simpler solutions
Security Best Practices
Regardless of which service you choose:
- Use strong passwords: If the service offers password protection, use it
- Set expiration dates: Don't leave files accessible forever
- Verify recipients: Make sure you're sharing with the right person
- Don't share sensitive data on free services: Unless they have end-to-end encryption
- Delete after transfer: If using cloud services, delete files when done
What to Look for in a File Sharing Service
When evaluating alternatives, consider:
- File size limits: Can it handle your typical files?
- Speed: How long does transfer actually take?
- Privacy: What happens to your files?
- Ease of use: How many steps to send a file?
- Recipient experience: Do they need an account?
- Cost: Is free tier enough, or will you need paid plan?
- Reliability: Does it work consistently?
The Future of File Sharing
The industry is moving toward:
- More P2P solutions: Direct transfer becomes standard
- Better privacy: End-to-end encryption by default
- Faster speeds: Taking advantage of improving internet infrastructure
- Less friction: No signups, no complicated processes
- Cross-platform compatibility: Works everywhere without apps
The Bottom Line
WeTransfer and Google Drive were revolutionary in their time. But in 2025, you have better options:
- For maximum speed and unlimited sizes: Use P2P transfer like ZapFile
- For long-term storage and collaboration: Google Drive or Dropbox remain solid
- For security-focused sharing: Swiss Transfer or Tresorit Send
- For moderate files with apps: Send Anywhere works well
The best tool depends on your specific needs. But one thing is clear: you're no longer limited to the slow, restrictive options of the past.
Try ZapFile if you want the fastest, most private way to send large files. No signup, no limits, no waiting.