Best Free WeTransfer Alternative in 2026 — sto.care
WeTransfer was once the go-to service for sending large files quickly and for free. No account, no fuss — just upload, get a link, and share. The free tier has since been restructured: transfers are capped at 3 GB, files expire after just 3 days, and you are limited to 10 transfers per month with a 3 GB total monthly cap. The download page still shows ads.
If you are looking for something that works the way WeTransfer used to, this guide covers the best alternatives in 2026.
WeTransfer limitations
Here is what the free WeTransfer tier looks like today:
- 3 GB per transfer — up from 2 GB after the Bending Spoons acquisition, but still below sto.care's 5 GB
- 3-day expiry — files are deleted after just 3 days, compared to 7 days on sto.care
- 10 transfers per month, 3 GB monthly cap — free users are restricted in both the number and total size of transfers each month
- Ads on the download page — the recipient sees wallpaper-style advertisements
- Upsell prompts — frequent nudges to upgrade to WeTransfer Pro at $12/month
For occasional, personal file sharing, these limitations make the free tier less practical than it once was.
What to look for in an alternative
A good WeTransfer replacement should offer:
- Generous free limit — at least 2 GB, ideally more
- No account — or minimal verification, not a full registration
- Clean download experience — no ads, no confusion for the recipient
- Automatic expiry — files should not live on someone else's server forever
- Encryption — both in transit and at rest
sto.care vs WeTransfer — feature comparison
Here is a direct comparison of sto.care and WeTransfer's free tier:
| Feature | sto.care | WeTransfer |
|---|---|---|
| Free tier | 5 GB | 3 GB |
| Account required | ✗ | ✗ |
| Email verification only | ✓ | ✗ |
| File expiry | 7 days | 3 days |
| Monthly transfer cap | None | 3 GB / 10 transfers |
| Ads on download page | ✗ | ✓ |
| Encryption at rest | ✓ | ✓ |
| Multiple downloads | ✓ | ✓ |
| Custom branding | ✗ | Paid only |
| Password protection | ✗ | Paid only |
| Price | Free | Free / $12 mo |
The key differences: sto.care offers a higher file size limit (5 GB vs 3 GB), longer expiry (7 days vs 3 days), no monthly transfer caps, and no ads on the download page. WeTransfer has the advantage of brand recognition and optional paid features like password protection and custom branding.
For a dedicated comparison page, see sto.care vs WeTransfer.
How to switch
If you are used to WeTransfer, switching to sto.care takes about 30 seconds. The workflow is nearly identical:
- Go to sto.care instead of wetransfer.com.
- Drag your file onto the upload area. The limit is 5 GB instead of 3 GB, with no monthly cap.
- Enter your email for a one-time verification (not an account).
- Get your shareable link and send it. The recipient downloads with no sign-up and no ads.
For a detailed walkthrough, see our complete guide to sending large files.
Other alternatives
sto.care is not the only option. Here are other services worth considering:
- SwissTransfer — Up to 50 GB, no account. Files expire after 30 days with a 250-download limit. Shows ads and the interface is busier. Good if you need to send very large files.
- Wormhole.app — End-to-end encrypted. Up to 5 GB with server storage (24-hour expiry), or up to 10 GB in peer-to-peer mode where both parties must stay online.
- Dropbox Transfer — Up to 2 GB on the free tier (Dropbox Basic). Requires a Dropbox account. See our Dropbox Transfer comparison.
- file.io — Up to 2 GB, no account. Files are deleted after a single download, which can be limiting if the recipient needs to re-download.
FAQ
Is there a free alternative to WeTransfer?
Yes. sto.care offers free file transfers up to 5 GB with 7-day expiry and no monthly caps, compared to WeTransfer's 3 GB limit with 3-day expiry and a 3 GB monthly cap.
Why did WeTransfer change its free tier?
After Bending Spoons acquired WeTransfer in July 2024, the free tier was restructured with stricter limits: a 3 GB monthly cap, 10 transfers per month, and a 3-day expiry. Accounts are no longer required for basic transfers, but the overall free offering is more restricted. sto.care keeps things simple with email-only verification and no monthly caps.
Can I send files larger than 3 GB for free?
With sto.care, yes — up to 5 GB per transfer, completely free. No account, no payment, no catch. See our large file sending guide for all your options.