Are you using WeTransfer to send large files? Over 80 million people worldwide (including us, until recently) rely on this platform, but ethical controversy has left many users looking for WeTransfer alternatives. So what happened?
In short, a recent update to WeTransfer’s terms and conditions sparked global outrage. The new terms granted WeTransfer the right to use your uploads not only to deliver files, but also to train AI, create derivative works, and explore commercial opportunities, all without asking for your permission or offering compensation. This included design files, video drafts, written documents or code, client proposals, private images, and, even more worryingly, legal contracts.
No surprise, this led to many changing platforms. As creative professionals, agencies, and freelancers, we often use the platform to deliver sensitive or unreleased work, but under the new terms, we now have no control over how our work might be reused, no say in whether it’s fed into AI training, and we also get no royalties or credit if it helps create new tools or products.
We know we’re not alone, so we’ve compiled some WeTransfer alternatives, as of the current time, have much better ethical considerations for their customers:
Smash
Smash is a popular choice among professionals in the creative industries, often regarded as one of the best WeTransfer alternatives, and there’s a good reason behind it. Unlike many file transfer services, Smash has no file size limits, no restrictions on the number of transfers per month, and offers extended file availability. On top of that, it ensures security through encryption and local data storage, giving users confidence that their privacy is fully protected.
Send-Anywhere
Send Anywhere is designed with privacy and security at its core. Every transfer is protected with end-to-end encryption, ensuring that only the intended recipient can access your files. Send-Anywhere does not permanently store your data and avoids any sharing of information with third parties, giving users complete control over their content. This focus on confidentiality is paired with a clean, reliable platform that has been recognised for its trustworthiness, receiving awards for being entirely free of spyware, viruses, and adware.
TransferNow
With Transfer now your personal data stays private. TransferNow adheres to a strict data minimisation policy, collecting only what is essential to run the service, never selling or sharing your information with third parties. You’re also protected by features like two-factor authentication (via SMS or authenticator apps), antivirus scanning of all uploads, and multi-region hosting that lets you choose where your files are stored. Key features include customisable retention times, password-protected links, malware scanning, and storage region selection. Whether you’re a one-person user or managing a large team, TransferNow lets you send and receive files confidently, with complete security and privacy.
There are so many file-sharing platforms available, so why stick with one that exploits your data? While our priorities focus on large file capacity, ease of use for both us and our clients, and secure transfers, your needs may differ. Make sure to choose the service that best aligns with your own priorities.
You probably never expected such a simple service to become so controversial, but the way we share files has never been more important. As creatives, our work reflects not only our time and talent but also the trust our clients place in us. That’s why choosing the right file-sharing platform is critical for making sure that our clients’ work is safe and respected. Platforms like WeTransfer, which once made this process simple, have left many of us uncomfortable, and while switching from a platform you’ve long relied on is never easy, we hope this blog has helped highlight why it’s necessary and some WeTransfer alternatives that are available.