Quick answer
HeftySend is our first choice for sending files up to 20 GB free, particularly when your recipient needs to preview videos, images, audio or PDFs. There are no HeftySend bandwidth charges and you can start without an account. Free links last three days. If you need a larger free allowance or ongoing document collaboration, the alternatives below serve different needs.
Updated 25 September 2026. Compare the published allowances below, then choose the service that fits your delivery. Transfer allowances, shared storage and monthly usage credits are different things.
Want to send something right now? Start a free transfer. No account is required for a basic send.
Which free service fits your files?
| Your job | Our recommendation | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Send a 12 GB video project | HeftySend | 20 GB free per transfer; recipient downloads within 3 days |
| Send a file larger than 20 GB free | SwissTransfer | 50 GB maximum and the expiry shown for your transfer |
| Work on shared documents repeatedly | Google Drive or OneDrive | Available storage and access permissions |
| Deliver work with your own branding | HeftySend paid plans | Choose the page design, expiry and plan that suit your client |
Which free limits should you compare before uploading?
Check four things together: the complete collection size, any allowance across repeated sends, the collection deadline and what the recipient needs to do. These focused checks were refreshed on 6 October 2026; they supplement the wider shortlist below.
| Free service | Size and repeat sends | Collection window | Recipient account |
|---|---|---|---|
| HeftySend | Up to 20 GB per transfer; no HeftySend bandwidth charges | 3 days | Not required for a standard transfer |
| WeTransfer | Up to 10 transfers or 3 GB total in a rolling 30 day window | Up to 3 days | Not required to download |
| TransferNow | Up to 5 GB per transfer; check current usage conditions for frequent sending | 7 days | Not required to send or receive |
Sources: HeftySend plans, WeTransfer allowances, WeTransfer expiry, WeTransfer recipient requirements and TransferNow Free.
A per transfer figure is not proof of unlimited daily sending. Likewise, no bandwidth charge does not remove a size or expiry limit. Our guide to unlimited transfer claims separates those measurements.
How do those limits change a real delivery?
- A 12 GB project collected tomorrow: HeftySend’s free size and collection window fit. The whole project exceeds TransferNow’s free size and WeTransfer’s free total allowance.
- A 4 GB collection needed in five days: TransferNow’s published free allowance and seven day window fit. HeftySend Free has enough capacity but its three day expiry is too short; choose a suitable longer plan or a different sending date.
- Four separate 1 GB sends within 30 days: these total 4 GB, so they exceed WeTransfer’s free data allowance even though four is fewer than ten transfers. Check remaining allowance before promising the final send.
These are planning examples, not measured transfers. Before sharing, check the actual expiry and open the recipient link without relying on your sender session. Account free access still needs enough device space and a working download connection.
1. HeftySend: our pick for creative deliveries
You have finished the work. Sending it should be the easy part. Open HeftySend, select your files and share the resulting link. A 12 GB video, photo and PDF delivery fits within the free 20 GB transfer allowance without dividing it into smaller batches.
Your recipient can preview supported media in the browser before downloading. That helps them recognise the final cut, check a document or find the right photo. They can download individual files. The Download All ZIP option supports collections up to 10 GB; larger transfers need individual downloads. Read how HeftySend works for the full process.
- No HeftySend bandwidth charges: sharing the download link does not create a bill based on the number of gigabytes delivered.
- A clear free starting point: up to 20 GB per transfer, three days of availability and no account required for a basic send.
- A better client presentation: paid plans let you customise download pages with templates, colours, backgrounds and text.
- Room to grow: larger paid transfers and the option to connect your own S3 storage.
Create a free account if you want to start using the app with an account, then choose a paid plan only when the additional features suit your work.
Want to send something right now? Start a free transfer. No account is required for a basic send.
2. WeTransfer: familiar occasional transfers
Up to 10 transfers or 3 GB total in a rolling 30 day window. That total allowance matters more than the size of a single upload. A 10 GB project needs another option or a paid plan. For a closer look, read our HeftySend and WeTransfer comparison.
Check WeTransfer’s current details.
3. SwissTransfer: larger individual free sends
Up to 50 GB. Infomaniak’s current support page says files are deleted after 15 days, with an extension offered to the sender up to 30 days. It also notes a 10 GB limit for generated ZIP downloads. Check the expiry displayed for your transfer.
Check SwissTransfer’s current details.
4. Smash: occasional sends when you can wait
Transfers above 2 GB enter a queue on the free service. Smash lists free availability up to seven days. If a deadline is close, account for its queue rather than assuming upload completion means your recipient can immediately download.
Check Smash’s current details.
5. Filemail: small deliveries across several devices
Up to 5 GB with seven days of availability. The Basic page lists two transfer sessions per 24 hours, three recipients and ten downloads per transfer. Those limits are worth checking before sending to a larger review team.
Check Filemail’s current details.
6. TransferNow: short transfers with a week of access
Up to 5 GB per free transfer, with seven days of retention. Its free offer includes password protection. HeftySend gives you four times that transfer size on the free plan, while TransferNow’s free link lasts longer. Choose based on the size and deadline of the actual job.
Check TransferNow’s current details.
7. pCloud Transfer: simple smaller sends without registration
Up to 5 GB without an account. This is a separate transfer tool from a full cloud storage subscription. If your finished folder is 12 GB, HeftySend’s free 20 GB allowance can hold the whole delivery in one transfer.
Check pCloud Transfer’s current details.
8. Dropbox Transfer: deliveries within a Dropbox workflow
Dropbox Basic supports transfers up to 2 GB. It can be convenient if you already work in Dropbox. Do not confuse the capacity of a paid Dropbox transfer plan with the free Basic allowance when choosing a service.
Check Dropbox Transfer’s current details.
9. Google Drive: ongoing shared documents
Up to 15 GB of free account storage, shared with Gmail and Google Photos. Your available space is what remains after those other services use it. Storage capacity is not a fresh allowance for every send. A dedicated HeftySend transfer avoids using your Google storage for a temporary delivery.
Check Google Drive’s current details.
10. Microsoft OneDrive: Microsoft document collaboration
5 GB of free cloud storage. A large technical maximum file size does not give a free account extra capacity. Keep enough storage available for the whole upload, and review sharing permissions before passing the link on.
Check Microsoft OneDrive’s current details.
11. MASV: professional media workflows with usage billing
15 GB of free transfers each month and five days of free storage per package. Further usage can be billed. Compare the whole delivery pattern, including repeat downloads and retention, rather than treating this as an unlimited free service. HeftySend’s absence of bandwidth charges is useful when predictable delivery costs matter.
12. Terashare: direct sharing between computers
Combines direct computer transfers with cloud upload. Its current page lists a 5 GB monthly free cloud allowance but also contains older, conflicting cloud limit explanations. Confirm those conditions before depending on it for a deadline. We would choose HeftySend for a straightforward browser based client delivery.
Check Terashare’s current details.
How can your download page help sell your work?
Your delivery link is another place a client sees your business. A recognisable page with your colours, message and previews feels more considered than a bare file list. With HeftySend’s paid customisation, you can make that last step feel like part of the project.
When is a paid HeftySend plan worth it?
Start free, then upgrade when you need larger transfers, longer access or a delivery page that looks like your business. Our pricing page shows the current inclusions.
| Plan | Price in USD | Transfer size and expiry |
|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | Up to 20 GB per transfer; 3 days |
| Premium | $9 per month | Up to 1 TB per transfer; up to 365 days |
| Ultra | $39 per month | Up to 4 TB per transfer; unlimited expiry |
| Lifetime | $99 once | Your own S3 storage required; unlimited transfer size and expiry |
Prices checked on 25 September 2026. Premium and Ultra also support your own S3 storage, with unlimited transfer size and expiry in that configuration. Your storage provider can charge separately for storage, requests or data delivery. HeftySend does not charge you for bandwidth usage.
What does a global delivery network do?
A content delivery network distributes delivery infrastructure across locations. It can help reduce the distance between content and recipients. HeftySend uses a global delivery network, but your connection, file size and network conditions still affect transfer time. This short video from Work Smart explains Cloudflare CDN in everyday terms; it explains the delivery infrastructure behind services like ours.
Frequently asked questions
Can I send a 20 GB file for free?
Yes. HeftySend’s free plan supports up to 20 GB per transfer. Leave enough time for uploading, and ask the recipient to download within the three day expiry.
Do recipients need a HeftySend account?
No. They can open the shared link and access the files without creating an account or installing an app.
Will sending a video reduce its quality?
Use the original file for delivery rather than exporting a smaller copy to fit an attachment limit. A browser preview is for checking content; ask the recipient to download the original when they need the delivered asset.
Does unlimited bandwidth mean unlimited free file size?
No. Bandwidth describes data delivery. HeftySend’s free transfer size is still 20 GB, and its free links still expire after three days.
Can I add my branding for free?
Custom download pages are a paid HeftySend feature. You can start with a free account and upgrade when you need branded client deliveries.
Is a transfer link a backup?
No. Keep your own copy. Temporary links expire, and even longer availability should not be your only way to retain important work.
Send your next project with HeftySend
Try it with the files you actually need to deliver. You will see the upload flow and your recipient’s experience for yourself. Start free, then explore HeftySend’s plans if you need larger transfers or custom pages.
Want to send something right now? Start a free transfer. No account is required for a basic send.