SwissTransfer vs WeTransfer: Which Free File Sender Wins?

If you send files for free, SwissTransfer beats WeTransfer on almost every limit that matters. SwissTransfer lets you send up to 50 GB per transfer with no monthly cap on the number of transfers, and you choose how long files stay online (up to 30 days). WeTransfer’s free plan stops at 3 GB and limits you to 10 transfers in a rolling 30-day window. WeTransfer still wins on brand recognition, polish and paid business features, and its Ultimate plan is a strong professional tool. The right choice depends on whether you’re sending the odd large file for free or delivering work to clients under your own brand.

This comparison goes through the details: size limits, expiry, privacy, passwords, ease of use, paid plans and real-world scenarios, so you can pick the right one in a minute.

Side-by-side: the free plans

	SwissTransfer (free)	WeTransfer (free)
Max size per transfer	50 GB	3 GB
Number of transfers	No monthly limit	10 in any rolling 30-day window
How long files stay online	You choose, 1 to 30 days	A few days; fixed on the free plan
Password protection	Yes	Account or paid features
Download limit	Up to 250 downloads per transfer	Not a headline free-plan control
Account needed	No (email verification on a new device)	No for recipients; sender may verify email
Data location	Infomaniak data centres in Switzerland	WeTransfer infrastructure
Intended use	Personal and professional	Personal, non-commercial

File size and transfer limits

This is where the gap is widest. A single 4K video project, a folder of RAW photos from a wedding, or a game build can easily exceed 3 GB. With WeTransfer Free you would need to split it into several transfers, and each one eats into your allowance of ten in 30 days. With SwissTransfer, the same job is one upload of up to 50 GB.

The transfer count matters too. WeTransfer’s free limit uses a rolling 30-day window, so a busy week can lock you out for nearly a month. SwissTransfer has no monthly cap on the number of transfers.

For a full breakdown of WeTransfer’s current rules, see our WeTransfer guide.

How long files stay available

Both services are for delivering files, not storing them, so every transfer expires.

• SwissTransfer lets you choose the validity period when you send, anywhere from 1 to 30 days. Once it expires, the files are permanently deleted and can’t be recovered.
• WeTransfer Free sets a short fixed expiry of a few days. Choosing a custom expiry date is a paid feature (Ultimate).

If your recipient is travelling, slow to respond, or in a different time zone, SwissTransfer’s longer free window avoids the awkward “the link has expired, can you send it again?” email.

Privacy and where your files live

SwissTransfer is run by Infomaniak, a Swiss cloud company, and it stores transfers only in its own data centres in Switzerland. Switzerland has strong data protection law, and for European users and privacy-conscious businesses, knowing exactly where files sit is a genuine advantage.

WeTransfer, owned by Bending Spoons since 2024, is also a reputable company. In July 2025 it faced criticism over a terms of service change that users feared would allow AI training on their files. It revised the wording, and now states in its content protection principles that it doesn’t use customer content to train AI models or sell it.

Neither service is designed as end-to-end encrypted storage for highly confidential material. For legal, medical or financial documents, follow your organisation’s approved sharing tools.

Passwords and download limits

SwissTransfer gives free users two useful controls:

• Password protection, so only people you share the password with can download.
• A download limit, so the link stops working after a set number of downloads (free transfers allow up to 250).

On WeTransfer, password protection and access controls are mainly paid features. If you want to protect a free transfer, SwissTransfer is the stronger option. Send the password through a different channel from the link, such as a text message, for extra safety.

Ease of use and recipient experience

This is where WeTransfer earns its reputation. Its interface is famously simple, recipients instantly recognise the brand, and it has polished mobile apps. For non-technical recipients, a WeTransfer email feels familiar and trustworthy.

SwissTransfer is also straightforward: drag in files, choose email or link, set options, send. The extra settings (validity, password and download limit) add a few clicks, but most people find them self-explanatory.

A small practical note: because WeTransfer is so well known, scammers often imitate WeTransfer emails. Recipients who are cautious about phishing may be more likely to double-check a WeTransfer link, so a quick message telling them it’s coming helps either way.

Paid plans: when it’s worth paying

WeTransfer has a clear ladder: Starter (more data in the same 10-transfer limit), Ultimate (unlimited transfers, custom expiry, password protection and branded pages), and Teams and Enterprise for organisations. Branded download pages are a big reason creative studios pay for it.

SwissTransfer is free for the core service. Infomaniak’s paid offers remove the download cap, and its Enterprise offer extends retention to 60 days. The company also sells business products such as its kDrive cloud storage.

In practice, many people use SwissTransfer for free large transfers and only pay for WeTransfer if their clients expect a branded delivery experience.

Which one to use: real scenarios

Situation	Better choice	Why
Sending a 12 GB video to a friend	SwissTransfer	Over WeTransfer’s 3 GB free limit
A quick 500 MB document pack	Either	Both handle it easily
Recipient may take two weeks to download	SwissTransfer	Choose up to 30 days for free
Password-protected free transfer	SwissTransfer	Passwords included free
Client delivery with your logo and branded page	WeTransfer Ultimate	Branding and professional features
Data must stay in Switzerland or Europe	SwissTransfer	Stored only in Swiss data centres
Phone to laptop in the same room	Neither	A local tool like PairDrop is faster

How to send a file with SwissTransfer

1. Go to swisstransfer.com on any browser.
2. Drag your files or folder into the upload area, or click to browse. Zip large folders first to keep things tidy.
3. Choose email (enter recipients’ addresses) or link (copy and share it yourself).
4. Open the settings to choose validity (1 to 30 days), set a download limit and add a password if you want one.
5. Enter your email. On a new device you’ll verify it with a code the first time.
6. Click Transfer and keep the tab open until the upload finishes.

If you need to convert a file to a smaller or more compatible format before sending, our CloudConvert guide explains the free options.

What the recipient sees

It’s worth knowing how each service looks from the other side, especially if you’re sending to clients or less tech-savvy relatives.

• WeTransfer: the recipient gets an email (or your link) leading to a familiar download page with a large Download button. Multiple files can be downloaded together as a ZIP. On free transfers, the page may show advertising.
• SwissTransfer: the recipient gets an email (or your link) leading to a SwissTransfer download page. If you set a password, they enter it before downloading, and the download stops working once your download limit or expiry date is reached.

In both cases the recipient doesn’t need an account. If your recipient is likely to be suspicious of unexpected emails, send the link yourself through a channel they already trust, such as WhatsApp or your usual email thread.

Other free ways to send large files

• Cloud storage links (Google Drive, OneDrive, Dropbox): best when files must stay available, or several people need ongoing access. Uses your own storage quota.
• Local device-to-device tools (such as PairDrop): best for moving files between your own devices on the same network, without uploading to a server.
• A USB drive or external disk: still the fastest option for hundreds of gigabytes when you can hand it over in person.

How long will my upload take?

Both services are limited mainly by your internet connection’s upload speed, which is often much lower than the download speed your provider advertises. The table below shows the theoretical best-case time at a steady upload speed. Real uploads are usually somewhat slower.

File size	10 Mbps upload	50 Mbps upload	100 Mbps upload
3 GB	about 40 minutes	about 8 minutes	about 4 minutes
10 GB	about 2 hours 13 minutes	about 27 minutes	about 13 minutes
50 GB	about 11 hours	about 2 hours 13 minutes	about 1 hour 7 minutes

This is the hidden catch with SwissTransfer’s generous 50 GB limit: on a slow connection, a huge upload can take most of a day. For very large projects, upload overnight on a wired connection, or split the work into smaller transfers.

Mistakes to avoid with either service

• Closing the tab too early. The transfer isn’t sent until the upload reaches 100%.
• Letting your laptop sleep. Change power settings during long uploads.
• Sending the only copy. Transfers expire. Always keep your originals.
• Putting the password in the same email as the link. Send it by text or call instead.
• Forgetting the deadline. Tell your recipient when the link expires so they download in time.
• Uploading uncompressed folders of thousands of small files. Zip them first. One archive uploads more reliably than thousands of tiny files.

For most people sending large files for free, SwissTransfer is the practical winner: bigger limits, longer expiry and passwords at no cost. WeTransfer remains a polished, well-known choice for smaller files and for professionals who want branded delivery. Keeping both bookmarked means you always have the right tool, whatever the size of the job. And whichever you use, keep your originals safe, tell your recipient the link is coming, and check the expiry date before you hit send.

FAQ

Is SwissTransfer really free?

Yes. The core service, with transfers up to 50 GB, passwords and download limits, is free.

Is SwissTransfer safe?

It is run by Infomaniak, an established Swiss cloud provider, and stores files only in Swiss data centres. As with any transfer service, don’t send highly sensitive documents unless your organisation approves it.

What is the maximum file size on SwissTransfer?

50 GB per transfer, combined across all the files in it.

Can I recover an expired SwissTransfer?

No. Expired files are permanently deleted. Keep your originals and send again if needed.

Why use WeTransfer if SwissTransfer’s free plan is bigger?

Brand familiarity, a very polished interface, mobile apps and professional paid features such as branded download pages.

Can I send to several people at once?

Yes. Both services let you enter several recipient email addresses, or you can create a link and share it with as many people as you like, within the download limits you set.

Which is better for photographers?

For delivering a large wedding or event gallery for free, SwissTransfer’s 50 GB limit and 30-day option are hard to beat. For a branded, polished client delivery, a paid WeTransfer plan has the edge.

Can I track whether my file was downloaded?

Both services can notify you by email when a transfer sent by email is downloaded, which is a handy confirmation that your client or friend actually received the files.

Sources

• Infomaniak: SwissTransfer
• WeTransfer Help Center: Plan limits
• WeTransfer: Principles of content protection