What is the best free alternative to WeTransfer?

It depends on what you need. If both people are available at the same time and you care about privacy, openshare sends files directly between your two devices in the browser — no signup, no upload, no size limit. If you need to fire off a download link for someone to grab later, a cloud tool like SwissTransfer or Smash is a better fit.

Why are people moving away from WeTransfer?

After WeTransfer was acquired by Bending Spoons, a Terms of Service update raised fears that uploaded files could be used to train AI, on top of the long-standing 2 GB free cap and links that expire. People are looking for alternatives that don't store their files at all.

How can I send a 30 GB file for free?

WeTransfer's free tier caps you at 2 GB. With openshare there's no size limit because the file streams directly between the two devices instead of being uploaded to a server — so a 30 GB file is fine as long as both people stay on the page until it finishes.

Does openshare store my files like WeTransfer does?

No. Files stream peer-to-peer over an encrypted WebRTC connection and are never uploaded to or stored on a server. When you close the tab, nothing remains.

Do I need an account or an app?

No account and no install on either end. Both people open the same link in a browser — on any device — and start sending.

WeTransfer alternative: no signup, no AI, no upload

WeTransfer isn't what it used to be. Since the service was acquired by Bending Spoons, a Terms of Service update set off a wave of worry that uploaded files could be used to train AI — and that's on top of the things people already grumbled about: a 2 GB cap on the free tier and download links that expire.

So if you're searching for a WeTransfer alternative, you probably want one of two things: a way to send a file without handing it to a company's servers, or simply a bigger free limit without an account. Here's the most private way to do it, plus an honest look at when a cloud tool still makes more sense.

The fastest no-signup alternative

On either device, start a session — you'll get a short code and a QR code.
On the other device, scan the QR code (or type the code at the same site).
Drag your file in. It transfers directly to the other device.

No account, nothing to install, and the same link works across Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS.

Why this is different from WeTransfer

The key difference is where your file goes. WeTransfer uploads your file to a server, stores it, and gives the recipient a link to download it later. openshare streams the file straight from one device to the other — it never touches a server.

That changes everything people are now looking for:

Nothing is uploaded or stored. Your file isn't sitting on anyone's cloud, so there's nothing to be scanned, mined, or used to train AI.
No size limit. Because there's no upload, there's no 2 GB cap — a 30 GB video is fine.
No expiring link. There's no link to expire; the transfer happens live.
No account, no app on either end.
Encrypted, peer-to-peer. Files move over an encrypted WebRTC connection and vanish when you close the tab.

When a cloud link is actually the better choice

To be fair, openshare and WeTransfer solve slightly different problems, and it's worth being honest about it.

openshare is real-time: both people need to have the page open at the same time, because the file goes directly between you. That's perfect when you're on a call, sitting next to someone, or moving a file between your own two devices.

But if you want to fire off a link and let someone download it whenever they get around to it, that's exactly what a cloud uploader is for. In that case a no-account option like SwissTransfer (up to 50 GB free) or Smash is the right tool — your file does get uploaded, but the recipient doesn't have to be online when you send it.

openshare vs WeTransfer vs the cloud alternatives

| | openshare | WeTransfer (free) | SwissTransfer | Smash | |---|---|---|---|---| | Account needed | No | No | No | No | | Free size limit | None | 2 GB | 50 GB | No hard limit¹ | | File uploaded to a server | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | | Stored after sending | No | Yes (then expires) | Yes (then expires) | Yes (then expires) | | Recipient can be offline | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | | Install required | No | No | No | No |

¹ Smash queues transfers over 2 GB for processing.

The short version: for privacy and no size limit when both people are present, openshare wins. For send-and-forget links, a cloud tool fits better.

Sending a large file with no limit

Because openshare doesn't upload anything, sending a big file is the same three steps as a small one — there's just no cap to hit:

Start a session on the device that has the file.
Open the link or scan the code on the receiving device.
Drag the file in and keep both tabs open until it finishes.

No 2 GB wall, no "upgrade to Pro," no waiting for an upload bar.

Want to try it? Start a session and scan the code on the other device. You might also like our guides on AirDrop for Windows and transferring files between your phone and computer.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best free alternative to WeTransfer?: It depends on what you need. If both people are available at the same time and you care about privacy, openshare sends files directly between your two devices in the browser — no signup, no upload, no size limit. If you need to fire off a download link for someone to grab later, a cloud tool like SwissTransfer or Smash is a better fit.
Why are people moving away from WeTransfer?: After WeTransfer was acquired by Bending Spoons, a Terms of Service update raised fears that uploaded files could be used to train AI, on top of the long-standing 2 GB free cap and links that expire. People are looking for alternatives that don't store their files at all.
How can I send a 30 GB file for free?: WeTransfer's free tier caps you at 2 GB. With openshare there's no size limit because the file streams directly between the two devices instead of being uploaded to a server — so a 30 GB file is fine as long as both people stay on the page until it finishes.
Does openshare store my files like WeTransfer does?: No. Files stream peer-to-peer over an encrypted WebRTC connection and are never uploaded to or stored on a server. When you close the tab, nothing remains.
Do I need an account or an app?: No account and no install on either end. Both people open the same link in a browser — on any device — and start sending.