I Tried a Few File Transfer Services — Here’s My Honest Take

I Tried a Few File Transfer Services — Here’s My Honest Take

If you work with big files (videos, design assets, backups, etc.), you’ve probably used at least one file transfer service. I’ve tried a bunch recently — VesTransfers, WeTransfer, TransferNow, Smash, and Filemail — and thought I’d share a simple, honest comparison for anyone confused about which one to use.

This isn’t hype, just real pros and cons.

VesTransfers (The One I Ended Up Using Most)

I honestly didn’t expect this, but VesTransfers turned out to be the most balanced option.

What I liked:

• Handles very large files without constantly hitting limits
• Clean UI — no confusion, no ads everywhere
• Links can expire, and you can add security options
• You can actually brand the download page, which is great if you send files to clients
• Feels built for people who send files regularly, not just once in a while

It feels like a service made by people who actually got tired of WeTransfer limits.

Best for: freelancers, creators, teams, or anyone sending files often.

WeTransfer (Simple, But Very Limited)

WeTransfer is probably the most popular, and for good reason — it’s dead simple.

Pros:

• Very easy to use
• No learning curve

Cons:

• Free limit is small (around 2 GB)
• Paid plans still feel restrictive
• No real branding or advanced control

Good for quick, small files. Once you cross that 2–3 GB mark, it gets annoying fast.

TransferNow (Decent, Nothing Special)

TransferNow sits somewhere in the middle.

Pros:

• Bigger limits than WeTransfer
• Reasonable pricing

Cons:

• UI feels a bit outdated
• Nothing really stands out
• It works fine, but there’s nothing that makes you want to stick with it long-term.

Smash (Unlimited, But With Trade-Offs)

Smash sounds amazing on paper because of “unlimited file size”.

Pros:

• Unlimited size, even on free
• File previews while downloading

Cons:

• Free transfers can be slow
• Not ideal if you’re in a hurry
• Limited professional features
• Good if you’re patient and don’t care about speed or branding.

Filemail (Powerful, But Overkill for Most)

Filemail is clearly built for enterprises.

Pros:

• Huge file support
• Desktop apps and automation
• Very fast

Cons:

• Overwhelming for casual users
• Expensive if you just want simple transfers

Unless you’re running large operations or need automation, it’s probably more than you need.

Final Thoughts

After trying all of these, VesTransfers feels like the most practical choice if you send files often and want:

Fewer limits

Better control

A professional look

No unnecessary complexity