WeTransfer is good at what it's for: one big send, no account on either end, done. People go looking for alternatives when the free tier pinches — at the time of writing that's 3 GB of sends per month across up to ten transfers, links that die after about three days, and passwords behind the paywall. Which alternative fits depends entirely on what you're actually sending, so each entry below says who should pick it.
MoveMyWork
This is us, so salt to taste. MoveMyWork is a clipboard and file relay between your own devices — copy here, paste there — with share links for handing things to other people.
Good at: the twenty small handoffs a day, and sharing with control. Links get a passphrase, your own expiry, view limits and revoke on the free plan, and everything you've sent stays in a searchable history. Free plan: 3 GB of storage, files up to 250 MB, no card. Limits: the free per-file cap won't carry a huge video delivery, and it's a hosted service, not open source. Pick it if: you move things between your own devices daily and occasionally share out. The full head-to-head is at MoveMyWork vs WeTransfer.
Dropbox Transfer
Good at: sending files that already live in your Dropbox, with the recipient kept out of your actual folders. On paid plans the size limits are generous and you get passwords and custom expiry. Limits: the free tier allows 100 MB per transfer with a fixed 7-day expiry, and passwords cost extra, at the time of writing. Pick it if: you already pay for Dropbox — then it's the obvious answer and you can skip the rest of this page. Details in MoveMyWork vs Dropbox Transfer.
LocalSend / Snapdrop
Good at: one-off transfers between two devices in the same room. Free, open source, direct device-to-device — nothing is stored anywhere, and big files move at Wi-Fi speed. Snapdrop runs in the browser; LocalSend is an app on all major platforms. Limits: both devices must be on the same local network, nothing is kept for later, and there's no link to send someone remote. Pick it if: the other device — or the other person — is physically next to you.
Emailing yourself (or them)
Good at: working absolutely everywhere with zero setup. It deserves its place on this list — it's what most people actually use. Limits: attachments cap out around 20–25 MB with most providers, there's no expiry or revoke, and everything ends up buried in an inbox. Pick it if: transfers are occasional and small. We've written an honest comparison at MoveMyWork vs emailing yourself.
Choosing quickly
- Huge one-off delivery to a client — stay with WeTransfer.
- Already paying for Dropbox — Dropbox Transfer.
- Devices side by side — LocalSend.
- A couple of small files a month — email is fine.
- Daily handoffs between your own devices, plus controlled links out — MoveMyWork.
Whichever you choose, recipients never need an account with any of these — more on that in sharing files without making anyone sign up.
Frequently asked
What's the best free WeTransfer alternative?
It depends on the job. Moving things between your own devices every day: MoveMyWork. Sending files that already live in Dropbox: Dropbox Transfer. A one-off transfer between two devices in the same room: LocalSend or Snapdrop. Occasional small files with zero setup: email still works.
Why do people look for a WeTransfer alternative?
Usually the free-tier limits: at the time of writing, 3 GB of sends per month across up to ten transfers, links that expire after about three days, and password protection that costs extra. None of that is unreasonable — it just doesn't fit everyone.
Can recipients download without creating an account?
With every tool on this list, yes. WeTransfer, Dropbox Transfer and MoveMyWork all hand the recipient a plain link; LocalSend and Snapdrop transfer directly; email is email.
Are these alternatives free?
All of them have a free tier or are entirely free. LocalSend and Snapdrop are free and open source. Dropbox Transfer and MoveMyWork have free plans with paid upgrades. Email costs nothing.