WeTransfer, SwissTransfer, Smash… Which Free Service Should You Use to Send Large Files?
File size per transfer, duration, limits, account, storage: the free plans of six transfer services compared point by point, with sources.
Sending raw footage, a folder of photos or an entire project: on paper, free transfer services all look alike. The differences show up when you look at the limits: size per transfer, how long files stay online, number of transfers allowed, whether an account is required, and where files are stored. In October 2026, we recorded what the free plan of six services offers, using only their official pages.
The comparison table
| Free plan | misi.link | WeTransfer | SwissTransfer | Smash | TransferNow | Filemail |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maximum size per transfer | 64 GB | 3 GB | 50 GB | Unlimited (queued beyond 2 GB) | 5 GB | 5 GB |
| How long files stay online | 45 days | 3 days | Up to 30 days | 7 days | 7 days | 7 days |
| Transfer limit | None | 10 transfers and 3 GB per 30 days | Not stated | None | Not stated | 2 transfers per 24 h |
| Account required to send | No | Yes | No | No | No | No |
| File encryption | In transit and at rest | In transit and at rest | In transit and at rest | In transit and at rest | In transit and at rest | In transit |
| Automatic resume of an interrupted transfer | Yes | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated |
| Checksums (MD5, xxHash, MHL) | Yes | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated |
| Where files are stored | France | Ireland (for Europe) | Switzerland | Region closest to the sender | Closest region | Not stated |
“Not stated” means the service does not give the information on its pages: it does not necessarily mean the feature does not exist.
Key takeaways
- For very large transfers: misi.link (64 GB) and SwissTransfer (50 GB) can handle real projects in one go. Smash shows no cap, but queues transfers over 2 GB.
- To give your recipients time: up to 45 days on misi.link with no request needed, versus 3 to 7 days with most of the others and 30 days with SwissTransfer, where the extension must be requested on day 15. No more links expiring before your client is back from vacation.
- To send without creating an account: possible everywhere except WeTransfer.
- For image professionals: automatic resume of an interrupted transfer and checksums (MD5, xxHash, MHL file) are only stated by misi.link. They prove that every file arrived intact, just as on a film set.
When should you choose another service?
No tool is perfect for everyone. If your files must stay in Switzerland, SwissTransfer is hosted only there. If you often send files without an account and without a size limit, and don't mind waiting, Smash has no cap. And if your team already shares small files in online storage, the built-in sharing may be enough.
Our method
Every value comes from the service's official page, for its free plan, as displayed in October 2026. Plans change often: check their website before choosing. The table is kept up to date on our Comparison page. Spotted a mistake? Write to us, and we will correct it.
Sources
- WeTransfer: plan limits
- SwissTransfer and the Infomaniak FAQ
- Smash: plans and storage location
- TransferNow: plans
- Filemail: free service
Want to give it a try? Send your files: no account to create, up to 64 GB for free.
