The file sharing industry is thriving, with the global file transfer market valued at approximately $32.5 billion in 2018 and experiencing an annual growth rate of around 9%. In this landscape, WeTransfer has become a go-to service for sending large files.
The file sharing industry is thriving, with the global file transfer market valued at approximately $32.5 billion in 2018 and experiencing an annual growth rate of around 9%. In this landscape, WeTransfer has become a go-to service for sending large files.
Launched in 2009 in the Netherlands, it has grown into a cloud-based sharing platform used by millions – boasting over 80 million monthly active users as of 2021. WeTransfer’s appeal is its simplicity: even the free tier lets anyone upload up to 3 GB per transfer without an account, generating a link or email to recipients. For creative professionals, this hassle-free approach has made WeTransfer a household name in delivering big media files quickly and securely.
WeTransfer is a cloud file-transfer service meant mainly for those individuals, or creative teams, who have a need to send large documents, photos, videos, or any multimedia files to others.
It differs from the way typical clouds run (such as on Dropbox or Google Drive) in that it centers on one-way transfers: you put files onto WeTransfer and get a link that you can share for someone to download, or it sends the files by email to the recipients.
The core features are deliberately minimal: no software installs (just a web browser or mobile app) and no mandatory sign-up for basic transfers.
Free users can send up to 3 GB per transfer; paid subscribers (formerly “Plus/Pro” and “Premium”, now merged into an “Ultimate” tier) can send far larger files (up to 200 GB or more) and keep cloud storage.
Creatives like freelancers, designers, photographers and marketers use WeTransfer to share portfolios, drafts, high-res assets and video projects without fuss.
WeTransfer has evolved steadily since its founding. Early on, it proved the demand for simple sharing: by 2013 it was handling over a billion transfers per year (roughly 30 per second.
The company remained profitable and expanded its offerings – launching WeTransfer Plus (now Pro) in 2012 for larger transfers and branding options. In 2020 and 2021 it onboarded new leadership (including a tech and product VP) and dramatically grew, surpassing 80 million users and €100 million in revenue by 2021.
WeTransfer mostly works for the creative experts and groups who need to send big files well. Such users include independent graphic designers who are completing their art, marketing groups that are sending their video commercials, agencies sharing their press kits, and photographers who are sharing high-quality pictures.
Because it requires no heavy IT setup or user training, it’s also popular with small business owners, journalists, educators, and even casual users when email attachments fall short.
The service facilitates file uploads and alerts recipients with a download link. This drag-drop workflow works for documents, images, videos and zip archives. The complimentary plan allows transfers of up to 3 GB per transaction.
WeTransfer offers various pricing tiers to suit different needs:
Free Plan: $0 per month
Ideal for occasional users or those exploring file transfer tools. Users can share and receive a maximum of 3 GB each month, allowing for up to 10 transfers. Transfers expire after 3 days. Suitable for basic personal use only.
Starter Plan: $8 per month
Designed for individuals who need more flexibility. Includes up to 300 GB of data transfer per month, providing a step up from the free tier for regular users with higher file-sharing needs.
Ultimate Plan: $23 per month
This plan is aimed at power users. Offers unlimited file transfers with no size limits, 1-year transfer expiry, custom branding per transfer, unlimited reviews and portals, and exclusive subscriber benefits. For individual use only.
Teams Plan: $30 per user/month
Tailored for small teams of up to 25 members. Includes everything in the Ultimate plan, plus centralized billing and the ability to invite team members. Ideal for collaborative environments.
Enterprise Plan: Custom pricing
Built for large organizations with advanced needs. Includes everything in the Teams plan, plus unlimited team members, custom transfer rules, premium support, Single Sign-On (SSO), advanced access management, and security logs. Contact WeTransfer for customized pricing.
WeTransfer treats file security as a priority, though it takes a hands-off approach to content. All transfers are encrypted: your browser uploads via HTTPS (TLS), and the data is stored encrypted on WeTransfer’s servers (AES-256).
This means files are safe from interception during transfer. For added control, paid users can set passwords on downloads, and can specify when links should expire (free users have a maximum of 7 days by default).
Regarding retention, WeTransfer files are not kept forever. By default, free (Basic) transfers expire after a few days (typically 3–7 days) and are deleted. Paid (Ultimate) users have much longer retention: historically, Premium accounts got up to 5 TB of storage and could keep files indefinitely (subject to 12 months of inactivity).
WeTransfer deletes the files from its servers permanently after the end of the retention period. Overall, files on WeTransfer are protected in transit and at rest, but users should remember that links expire and plan accordingly (e.g. download important files before they vanish).
Because of WeTransfer's intuitive interface, anybody can send files without having technical knowledge.
For occasionally users, they may transfer files up to 3GB without having an account, which simplifies sharing the files.
WeTransfer is known for its efficient file transfer speeds, ensuring quick uploads and downloads, which is crucial for time-sensitive projects.
The free version lets users share files up to 2GB, which is more compared to some other competitors.
Paid options let you send more files, the Pro plan lets you transfer up to 200GB and the premium one gives unlimited file sizes.
Files sent using the free version are only available for download for seven days, after which they are deleted from the servers.
Free users do not have access to a history of their sent files, making it difficult to track or resend files without re-uploading.
The free version does not offer password protection for shared files, potentially posing a security risk if sensitive information is being transferred.
If a file transfer is interrupted due to connectivity issues, there is no option to resume the upload or download; users must start the process anew.
Some advanced features provided by competitors, including real-time collaboration, file synchronization, and whole cloud storage solutions, are missing from WeTransfer.
Each of the above scenarios involves one-way delivery of large assets. In these cases, WeTransfer’s ease-of-use and free tier make it very convenient. (For ongoing team projects or document co-authoring, other tools would be more suitable.)
If WeTransfer’s limits or lack of certain features are an issue, other services may suit you better:
See our comprehensive list of Top WeTransfer Alternatives in 2025 to go further into the best file-sharing services beyond WeTransfer—covering everything from endless transfers to built-in collaboration capabilities.
You’ll find comparisons of FromSmash, Send Anywhere, FileTransfer.io and more, complete with pricing, key features, and use-case recommendations to help you choose the perfect platform for your workflow.
Getting started with WeTransfer is straightforward:
1. Visit the website. Go to wetransfer.com in your web browser. You can start sending files immediately; no sign-in is required for the free Basic plan. (If you have a paid account, click Sign In first.)
2. Add your files. Simply drag and drop files or folders onto the page, or click the "Add your files" option. You can upload multiple files at once. The total upload must not exceed your plan’s limit (3 GB for free, higher if paid).
3. Enter details. Type in your email address (so you can be notified) and the recipient’s email address. You can add a short message if you like. To copy a link for sharing in any format, you can also choose "Get transfer link" and skip the email boxes.
4. Send/Share. The files will be uploaded to WeTransfer's cloud servers. When done, recipients get an email with download instructions (if you entered emails), or you get a link to copy. You can then paste that link in a chat or email. The recipient simply clicks it to download the files.
5. Manage transfers. If you have an account, you can log in to see your sent files, forward them or delete them early. The mobile app (iOS/Android) follows a similar flow and lets you view and manage transfers on the go.
No complicated setup or software is needed – you just need an internet connection. The WeTransfer Help Center provides guides if you run into issues (such as slow uploads or expired links).
WeTransfer shines in its niche: quick, user-friendly large-file transfers. Its strengths are ease and clarity – you really can “just drag and send” with minimal fuss. This makes it ideal for freelancers, creatives and small teams who regularly deliver big media files to clients.
WeTransfer’s free tier and affordable paid plan offer a generous, ad-free experience that many users find worth it. The mobile apps and new collaboration features (Portals/Reviews) add to its appeal for creative workflows.
However, WeTransfer is not without drawbacks. Those with significant usage need to upgrade due to the free plan's limitations (3 GB, 10 transfers per month, and 3–7 day expiration). WeTransfer is worth it for its intended purpose: simple large-file delivery. It excels at getting big creative assets into the hands of clients or colleagues. Just be mindful of its limitations, and consider complementary tools when broader collaboration or storage features are needed.
