Which file transfer service should you choose?
WeTransfer, SwissTransfer, Dropbox, Google Drive… TransferNow is the European alternative to send and receive your files: up to 5 GB with no sign-up, up to 250 GB with an account (and 500 GB with Team), hosted in France or in Europe.
- Free
- No sign-up
- Up to 5 GB
- Hosting of your choice
4.9/5 on Trustpilot and Google (20k+ reviews) · Comparisons updated on July 19, 2026
| Free plan | TransferNow | WeTransfer | SwissTransfer | Filemail | Smash |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Size per transfer (free, no account) | 5 GB | 3 GB | 50 GB | 5 GB | 2 GB, then a queue¹ |
| File reception (request / upload link) | Included | No | No | No | No |
| Password on transfers (free) | Included | Account required | Included | No | Included |
| Data hosting | USA, Europe, Asia | Europe + United States | Switzerland | Not disclosed | France |
| Max size (paid plan) | 250 GB–500 GB | Not disclosed | Not disclosed | 250 GB | 1 TB |
| Try or compare | Transfer | Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare |
¹ Smash queue: up to ~16 hours of waiting beyond 2 GB on the free plan. “—”: not disclosed. Data verified in July 2026.
Comparisons
TransferNow against the other services
For each service, we compared what really matters — size, pricing, security, file reception — to show you concretely where TransferNow takes the lead.
Transfer services
Sending files by link or emailTransferNow vs
SwissTransfer
Free and generous on size. See what TransferNow adds on top (reception, options, control).
See the comparisonTransferNow vs
Filemail
Focused on very large files. We compare maximum sizes, retention periods, and pricing.
See the comparisonTransferNow vs
Send Anywhere
Direct transfer between devices. We compare usage, security, and the limits of each approach.
See the comparisonTransferNow vs
Hightail
The veteran (formerly YouSendIt), aimed at creatives. We compare plans, reception, and collaboration.
See the comparisonTransferNow vs
SendGB
5 GB free but with ads. We compare the experience, customization, and reception.
See the comparisonTransferNow vs
TransferXL
5 GB free with a daily quota. We compare capacity, password protection, and reception.
See the comparisonTransferNow vs
Smash
No size limit on the free tier: we compare the free and paid plans in detail.
See the comparisonTransferNow vs
FTP / SFTP
The historic server protocol. We compare the simplicity of a web link, with no software needed, to setting up FTP access.
See the comparisonStorage & cloud
When one-off sending matters more than syncingTransferNow vs
Dropbox
Cloud storage. For one-off large file sends, we compare the transfer vs. sync approach.
See the comparisonTransferNow vs
Google Drive
Cloud-based sharing. We compare sending large files by link or email, with no account needed for recipients.
See the comparisonTransferNow vs
pCloud Transfer
Simple, free transfers. We compare features, reception, and control over your files.
See the comparisonHow to choose
How to choose your transfer service?
Before comparing brands, here are the criteria that really make a difference day to day — and where each service sets the bar.
File size
The maximum size per transfer, on both free and paid plans — the first criterion that quickly rules out some services.
Sending AND receiving
Most services only send files. Being able to receive them too (request, upload link, widget) saves you endless back-and-forth.
Security & hosting
Encryption, password, antivirus — and above all where the data is hosted and GDPR compliance.
Pricing and free plan
Compare the actual free plan (no hidden quota) and the price of the paid plans.
No sign-up
Transferring without creating an account — for you or the recipient — saves precious time.
In short
Why choose TransferNow as an alternative?
Against any service, TransferNow covers the full cycle — sending, sharing, requesting, and receiving your files — for free and without sign-up, with professional options when you need them.
- 5 GB
- free, no sign-up
- 500 GB
- per transfer with an account
- AES-256 / SSE-C
- encryption + antivirus
- 20+
- languages available
Free, no account
- Up to 5 GB per transfer
- Unlimited transfers, no sign-up
- Send AND receive (request, upload link)
- Password + download notification
- Encryption and antivirus scanning
With an account
- From 250 GB (Premium) to 500 GB (Team) per transfer
- Retention up to 365 days
- Long-lived links and reception widget
- Customization (logo, colors, subdomain)
- SSE-C encryption (your own key)
- European solution, hosting of your choice, GDPR
Choosing your transfer service: frequently asked questions
Which WeTransfer alternative should you choose?
It depends on your needs: TransferNow is a complete European alternative (sending and receiving, up to 5 GB for free without an account, 250 GB with a Premium account, and 500 GB with Team). Compare in detail on our dedicated pages — for example vs WeTransfer.
Is there a free alternative with no sign-up?
Yes: TransferNow lets you send up to 5 GB per transfer for free, with no sign-up and no limit on the number of transfers.
Which alternative for sending very large files?
With a TransferNow account, you can send up to 250 GB per transfer (Premium) and up to 500 GB with Team. For this specific need, also compare Filemail, geared toward very large volumes.
Why choose TransferNow over cloud storage like Dropbox or Google Drive?
Cloud storage (Dropbox, Google Drive) is designed to store and sync files. To occasionally send large files, a transfer service is more direct: link or email, with no account needed on the recipient’s side.
Is TransferNow a European solution?
Yes: TransferNow is a European solution, GDPR-compliant, with a choice of storage region (including France and Europe) and encrypted transfers.
Do you need to create an account to send files?
No. With TransferNow, you send up to 5 GB per transfer without signing up, and your recipients download without an account either. An account only serves to unlock more size, longer retention, and professional options.
Which free alternative to WeTransfer or SwissTransfer?
TransferNow is free, requires no sign-up, and goes up to 5 GB per transfer, with file reception and password protection included in the free plan. WeTransfer caps at 3 GB (with a quota) and reserves reception for paid plans; SwissTransfer goes up to 50 GB but has no reception tool.
Compare for yourself, try it free for 7 days