SwissTransfer, Smash, WeTransfer and 7 others: complete 2026 comparison of free solutions for sending large files online (up to 50 GB).
Gmail attachments are capped at 25 MB, Outlook attachments at 20 MB. To send large files for free online, it is therefore better to use a specialized service. The market has changed a lot in 2026: WeTransfer has downgraded its free offering, Smash has established itself as the benchmark with no size limit, SwissTransfer remains unbeatable with 50 GB free, and new European players like Wormhole or Internxt are pushing end-to-end encryption. Here is our tested and up-to-date comparison of 10 services that are actually usable for transferring a large file to a client, colleague, or friend.
Quick comparison of the 10 services at a glance
| Service | Max free size | Link duration | Registration | Hosting | Overall rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SwissTransfer | 50 GB | 1 to 30 days | No | Switzerland | ★★★★★ |
| Smash | Unlimited | 7 days | No (6-digit code) | France | ★★★★★ |
| TransferNow | 5 GB | 7 days | Optional | France | ★★★★☆ |
| WeTransfer | 3 GB | 3 days | Yes (since 2024) | Netherlands | ★★★☆☆ |
| Send Anywhere | Unlimited (P2P) / 10 GB (link) | 48 hours | No | CorSouth Korea | ★★★★☆ |
| Wormhole | 10 GB | 24 hours | No | USA (E2E) | ★★★★☆ |
| Veryorit Send | 5 GB | 7 days | No | Switzerland (E2E) | ★★★★☆ |
| Internxt Send | 5 GB | 15 days | No | Spain (E2E) | ★★★★☆ |
| Filemail | 5 GB | 7 days | No | Norvège | ★★★☆☆ |
| LargeFiles | 10 GB | 14 days | No | France | ★★★☆☆ |
Our verdict in 30 seconds
If you just want to know which one to choose:
- For a file up to 50 GB with no sign-up → SwissTransfer
- For a file with no size limit → Smash
- For sensitive data with end-to-end encryption → Tresorit Send or Internxt Send
- For fast local sharing between two devices → Send Anywhere (P2P mode)
- For regular professional use with customization → TransferNow or Smash paid version
SwissTransfer: 50 GB free, no sign-up, no ads
Launched in 2019 by Infomaniak (Swiss hosting provider based in Geneva), SwissTransfer is now the benchmark in the free large-volume transfer niche. The platforme is funded as a contributory service by Infomaniak: no paid version, no advertising, no artificial limits to push you into subscribing.
Key features :
- 50 GB per transfer, no registration required
- Adjustable link duration: 1, 7, 15, or 30 days
- Up to 20 recipients per send
- Limit of 10 transfers per hour and per IP address (240/day)
- Optional password protection
- Configurable download limit
- AES-GCM encryption in transit, double LUKS + 256-bit AES encryption at rest
- Hosted in Geneva (Infomaniak datacenters certified ISO 27001)
Above 10 GB, the recipient cannot download everything in a single click and must do it file by file. That is the main practical limitation. No end-to-end encryption, but a serious level of server security and a hosting provider that does not resell anything.
Smash: no file size limit, free
Founded in Lyon in 2017, Smash managed the rare feat of offering a free service with no size limit. If you can upload it from your device, Smash will transfer it. The service now has 8 million users and displays a rating of 4.9/5 on Trustpilot (more than 30,000 verified reviews), an score that is almost unbeatable in the sector.
Key features :
- No file size limit (free)
- Links valid for 7 days for free, up to 30 days with a paid plan
- No registration required (6-digit verification code by email)
- Above 2 GB: queueing (the transfer takes longer during peak hours)
- Download speeds approximately twice as fast as WeTransfer according to benchmarks
- File storage as close as possible to the sender (in France for French users)
- Password protection available for free
- iOS, Android, and Mac app, plus Outlook plugin (paid)
- API available for developer integration
It is the best alternative to WeTransfer in 2026 according to the French-language specialized press. The downside: the queue for very large files can lengthen the transfer, but overall reliability remains excellent.
TransferNow: French flexibility
Very comprehensive French service, TransferNow offers a more modest free version but with excellent control over transfers. Its premium version is one of the most generous on the market.
Key features (free):
- 5 GB per transfer
- Link duration: 7 days
- No registration for simple use, account recommended for tracking
- Password and antivirus included
- SSL/TLS and 256-bit AES encryption
- Enhanced authentication available
- Choice of storage location
Paid version: up to 250 GB per transfer, duration up to 365 days, download tracking, customizable reception widget, team management. Starting at €5/month.
WeTransfer: the histororical benchmark losing momentum
WeTransfer was the pioneer of consumer file transfer, but the free offering has seriously deteriorated since 2024: increased to 3 GB (instead of 2 historically), link duration reduced to 3 days, registration now mandatory, and a limit of 10 transfers per month. The service’s Trustpilot rating has dropped to 1.3/5 based on 649 reviews, which says a lot about current user perception.
Features (free):
- 3 GB per transfer
- Maximum of 10 transfers per month
- Links valid for only 3 days
- Registration required
- Clean historic interface
WeTransfer remains relevant if you’re used to its interface and your files fit within 3 GB. Beyond that, there are now much better free options.
Send Anywhere: P2P mode for instant sharing
Send Anywhere offers a different approach: direct P2P sharing between two devices via a 6-digit code or a QR code, without going through an intermediary server. Ideal for transferring a huge folder between two nearby devices, without depending on your router’s upload speed.
Features:
- Link mode: 10 GB per transfer, valid for 48 hours
- Direct P2P mode: no size limit
- 6-digit code or QR code for pairing
- iOS, Android, Windows, macOS, Linux app
- No registration in quick mode
- South Korean origin (Estmob)
Wormhole: native end-to-end encryption
Wormhole is designed around end-to-end encryption. No unencrypted data ever passes through the servers : encryption and decryption take place exclusively in the browser. Ideal for contracts, HR files, medical data, or any sensitive document.
Features:
- 10 GB per transfer
- Links valid for 24 hours (limitation imposed by the E2E model)
- No registration
- AES-128-GCM encryption in the browser
- Open source (auditable code)
- No ad tracking
Tresorit Send: maximum Swiss security
Published by Tresorit (acquired by Swiss Post in 2021), based in Switzerland, this E2E service is designed for sensitive profiles: lawyers, doctors, journalists, HR, conformité.
Features:
- 5 GB per transfer (free)
- Link duration: 7 days
- End-to-end AES-256 encryption
- Email confirmation of download
- Swiss hosting (Swiss data protection law)
- No registration
- Conformité GDPR, HIPAA, ISO 27001
Internxt Send: GDPR-first newcomer
Internxt (Spain) is one of the new European players in encrypted storage and transfer. The Send service is free and fully E2E.
Features:
- 5 GB per transfer
- Links valid for 15 days
- End-to-end encryption
- Open source
- No registration
- European hosting and GDPR compliance
- Linked to an encrypted cloud storage service (paid option)
Filemail: compatible with Outlook
Filemail (Norway) is appreciated for its native integration with Outlook and its desktop client, which simplifies recurring transfers.
Features (free):
- 5 GB per transfer
- Links valid for 7 days
- Free Outlook plugin
- Desktop (Windows, macOS) and mobile application
- No registration
Paid version: up to unlimited files depending on the plan, starting at around €8/month.
GrosFichiers: French simplicity
LargeFiles is a French service that focuses entirely on simplicity: no account, no frills, just an upload and a link.
Features:
- 10 GB per transfer
- Links valid for 14 days
- No registration
- Hosting in France
- No intrusive ads
- Interface in French
Not the most innovative, but a very acceptable option if you are looking for a local service without frills.
How to choose the right service based on your needs
| Your needs | Recommended service |
|---|---|
| Send a file larger than 10 GB | SwissTransfer (up to 50 GB) or Smash (unlimited) |
| Send quickly to a single person | Send Anywhere (P2P mode with 6-digit code) |
| Sensitive data with end-to-end encryption | Tresorit Send, Wormhole or Internxt Send |
| Regular professional multi-user use | Smash Pro, TransferNow Premium or Filemail Business |
| Sovereign hosting in France/Europe required | Smash, TransferNow, GrosFichiers or Internxt Send |
| The simplest service without overthinking it | SwissTransfer (free, no sign-up, 50 GB) |
| Outlook integration | Filemail or Smash Pro |
Security, GDPR, and encryption: what you need to know
The majority of free services encrypt transfers in transit (TLS) and at rest (AES 256). That is sufficient for non-sensitive files. But for confidential data (contracts, medical documents, HR files, customer data), three additional criteria matter:
- End-to-end encryption (E2E) : only the sender and recipient can decrypt the file. Even the service provider cannot access it. Wormhole, Tresorit Send, and Internxt Send offer native E2E.
- Server location : for companies subject to GDPR or sovereignty requirements, European hosting is preferable. SwissTransfer (Switzerland), Smash and TransferNow (France), Internxt (Spain) are the best options.
- Privacy policy : some services resell behavioral data to advertisers. Read the policy before sending a professional document.
FAQ — Send large files for free
Which is the most generous service for sending files for free in 2026?
Smash, with no file size limit on the free plan (the only one on the market). In second place, SwissTransfer with 50 GB per transfer. All other free services cap out between 3 and 10 GB.
Can you send a 50 GB file for free?
Yes, with SwissTransfer (no sign-up) or Smash (with a 6-digit verification code). Send Anywhere also allows it in direct P2P mode if the sender and recipient are online at the same time.
Why is WeTransfer now requiring registration?
Since 2024, WeTransfer requires account creation for the free version. The limit has dropped to 3 GB and 10 transfers per month. This downgrade drove a significant part of the community to Smash and SwissTransfer.
Which services offer end-to-end encryption?
Wormhole, Tresorit Send, and Internxt Send offer native end-to-end encryption. The content is never accessible in plain text by the service provider, unlike SwissTransfer or Smash where encryption is only done at the server level.
Which transfer service is best suited for GDPR?
For companies subject to the GDPR, prioritize services hosted in Europe: SwissTransfer (Switzerland, GDPR equivalence), Smash and TransferNow (France), Internxt Send (Spain). Avoid services hosted in the United States or in non-equivalent jurisdictions for sensitive data.
Can you send a file without creating an account?
Yes, most free services allow it: SwissTransfer, Smash, Send Anywhere, Wormhole, Tresorit Send, Internxt Send, Filemail, GrosFichiers. WeTransfer is now the exception (registration required since 2024).
How long do the files remain available?
The duration varies: 24 hours for Wormhole, 48 hours for Send Anywhere, 3 days for WeTransfer, 7 days for Smash and Tresorit Send, 14 days for GrosFichiers, 15 days for Internxt Send, up to 30 adjustable days for SwissTransfer, and up to 365 days with payment for TransferNow.
Which service is the fastest for sending large files?
Smash claims speeds about twice as fast as WeTransfer in benchmark tests. For an ultra-fast transfer between two nearby devices, Send Anywhere in P2P mode bypasses any intermediary server and reaches the maximum speed of your local connection.
In summary
In 2026, the free file transfer market became polarized. SwissTransfer dominates high-volume transfers without registration (50 GB), Smash for the total absence of size limits with exceptional service quality, and a trio of E2E services (Wormhole, Tresorit Send, Internxt Send) covers maximum privacy needs. WeTransfer, although a pioneer, has lost the free-tier battle and should still be avoided for heavy-duty needs. For most everyday uses, SwissTransfer is more than enough and offers the best balance of simplicity, size, and duration.
For companies that need a custom transfer system, DualMedia develops GDPR-compliant file sharing platformes.