Quick answer
If you need a site like WeTransfer for a large delivery today, start with HeftySend: up to 20 GB per free transfer, media previews and no recipient account required. SwissTransfer, TransferNow, Smash and Dropbox Transfer cover other size, expiry and workflow needs.
Updated 25 September 2026. Product details checked against the sources linked below.
This shortlist is for sending finished files. It focuses on five transfer services rather than mixing temporary delivery with shared document editing. If you are choosing a longer term business workflow, read our guide to choosing a transfer website for client work.
Which five alternatives are worth considering?
| Service | Free starting point | Best reason to consider it |
|---|---|---|
| HeftySend | 20 GB per transfer, 3 days | Large creative deliveries with useful previews |
| SwissTransfer | 50 GB per transfer | A larger individual free send |
| TransferNow | 5 GB per transfer, 7 days | A smaller send with a week to collect |
| Smash | 2 GB prioritised; larger sends queued | A delivery where waiting is acceptable |
| Dropbox Transfer | 2 GB on Basic | A transfer within an existing Dropbox workflow |
Check size and collection time together. A generous allowance is only useful if your recipient can get the files before the link expires.
Do occasional large transfers need a subscription?
No. Choose a paid plan because this delivery needs a specific feature, size or collection window, not simply because you send files rarely. HeftySend Free accepts up to 20 GB per transfer with three days of availability. A larger free allowance elsewhere may suit a different job.
WeTransfer’s current plan limits distinguish occasional sending from small files: its free allowance is up to ten transfers or 3 GB total in a rolling 30 day window. Sending only once does not make a larger project fit that free allowance.
What should you check before paying for one delivery?
Check the complete package, the collection deadline and the billing commitment before choosing a plan. Use this decision order:
- Measure the whole delivery. Include the final export, supporting photos and documents. Compare the total with the service’s transfer allowance, not a cloud storage quota.
- Ask when the recipient will download. A transfer that fits today may still expire before someone returns from leave. Choose the collection window around their availability.
- Name the paid feature you need. HeftySend’s custom download pages are a paid feature. If a standard free page already meets the job, branding alone is not a technical requirement for delivery.
- Check renewal and cancellation. HeftySend Premium and Ultra are monthly subscriptions. The pricing FAQ says cancellation leaves access until the end of the billing period. Do not assume cancelling a subscription guarantees that an existing link will remain available for its original maximum expiry; confirm retention before relying on it.
- Include separate storage costs. HeftySend does not charge for bandwidth usage, but the Lifetime plan requires your own S3 storage. That provider can charge separately, so Lifetime is not simply a single delivery fee.
For example, an occasional sender delivering an 18 GB video package tomorrow can use HeftySend Free if collection happens within three days. If the recipient cannot collect for a week, the same package needs a different availability choice. These are planning examples, not measured transfers. Our comparison of free transfer limits covers more services and collection windows.
How do you switch a delivery from WeTransfer?
Create a new transfer from your original files and send the recipient its new link. An existing WeTransfer link does not become a HeftySend link when you change services.
- Keep the original files and check that the complete delivery fits your chosen plan.
- Follow HeftySend’s first transfer tutorial and wait for the upload to finish.
- Open the recipient page and check the files, preview support and displayed expiry before sharing.
- Tell the recipient which new link replaces the earlier one and when to download. Ask them to confirm that they have saved the originals.
For collections above 10 GB, plan individual downloads: HeftySend’s Download All ZIP option is capped at 10 GB. A transfer allowance and a generated ZIP limit are different measurements.
Occasional delivery guidance checked on 7 October 2026. The wider shortlist retains its earlier check date.
1. Why is HeftySend our first choice?
HeftySend gives you room for the actual project. A 14 GB folder containing a finished film, photos and a PDF fits within the free allowance. Your recipient gets a link they can open without registering, with previews for supported media and documents.
HeftySend does not charge for bandwidth usage. For client work, that removes a delivery cost based on how many gigabytes are downloaded. The interface also avoids advertising and popups in the transfer experience, keeping attention on the files.
The main free plan tradeoff is time: links last three days. When you need longer access, larger transfers or a customised page, compare HeftySend’s paid plans.
2. When is SwissTransfer useful?
Its 50 GB free allowance can suit a folder too large for HeftySend’s free plan. Check the exact expiry and collection method, especially when the recipient wants everything in one archive. The current SwissTransfer support page explains retention and its generated ZIP restrictions.
For a closer decision between the familiar brands, see SwissTransfer vs WeTransfer. If the file fits within 20 GB, try HeftySend’s recipient experience before deciding on size alone.
3. When does TransferNow fit?
TransferNow’s free service supports 5 GB transfers with seven days of availability and password protection. That can fit a modest folder whose recipient needs a week to collect it.
For a 14 GB project, HeftySend’s free allowance holds the whole delivery in one transfer. TransferNow’s longer free retention is useful in a different situation, so match the choice to the actual size and deadline.
4. What is the catch with Smash’s larger free transfers?
Smash’s pricing page says transfers above 2 GB enter a queue behind paid transfers. Its free availability is up to seven days. The queue matters when a client needs files at a specific time.
If a deadline is close, do not judge a service only by its maximum size. Allow for processing and any waiting period as well as your own upload time.
5. Should existing Dropbox users use Dropbox Transfer?
Dropbox Transfer can be convenient when it is already part of your workflow. Basic accounts support 2 GB transfers, with larger allowances on paid plans. Check the transfer allowance of your actual plan rather than assuming it matches your storage capacity.
A dedicated HeftySend delivery is worth considering when you want to send a larger free package or present files on a customised page without making your recipient part of your storage workflow.
How can you make a delivery look more professional?
A recognisable download page gives the recipient context. Use your business colours, a short welcome message and clear instructions about which files are final. HeftySend’s paid templates and customisation let the handover feel like part of the work you have delivered.
For example, a design studio could deliver a logo pack with separate folders or clearly named files for print and web use, plus a PDF explaining the formats. Supported previews help the client identify the right item. A good page does not replace those instructions; it makes them easier to find.
How should you compare speed claims?
Ask whether a claim refers to your upload, server processing or the recipient’s download. They are separate parts of the journey. Test a representative file on your own connection before a critical deadline. A published maximum size is not a delivery time guarantee.
How does a CDN help deliver files?
A content delivery network places delivery infrastructure closer to recipients. HeftySend uses a global CDN, while your upload connection and the recipient’s download connection still affect the total time. Cloudflare’s short explainer shows the principle; it is not a speed test of the services in this guide.
Frequently asked questions
Which option can send a 14 GB project free?
HeftySend’s free 20 GB transfer allowance covers it, provided the recipient downloads within three days. Check the complete package size before uploading.
Do I need a paid plan for a custom HeftySend page?
Yes. Custom download pages are included on paid plans. You can start with a free account and upgrade when that presentation is useful.
Can I keep using the same link for permanent storage?
Do not treat a temporary transfer link as your only archive. Use the expiry shown on the transfer and keep your own backup.
Should I split a project just to fit a smaller service?
It is usually clearer to choose enough capacity for the full delivery. Splitting can work, but it creates more links and more opportunities for a missing file.
Will every video format preview in a browser?
No. Preview support depends on the format and codec. Ask the recipient to download the original if their browser cannot play it.
Where can I compare more free services?
Our broader free transfer service guide compares additional options, including cloud storage and professional media workflows.
Try your next delivery with HeftySend
Start with the real files you need to send. You can make a free transfer immediately, or create an account and explore the app before choosing a plan.