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File sharing and sending large files
Email stops at about 25 MB. These guides cover everything past that line: transfer services, share links, and moving files between your own devices.
Transfer services at a glance
| Service | Free transfer | Paid entry | Encrypted end to end | Link expiry |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wormhole source | 10 GB | Free tool | Yes | 24 hours |
| Send Anywhere source | 10 GB | ~$5.99/mo | Optional | 48 hours |
| Filemail source | 5 GB | Pro, 250 GB | Optional | 7 days |
| TransferNow source | 5 GB | ~$3/mo, 10 GB | No | 7 days |
| SendGB source | 5 GB | €2.99 per 50 GB | No | 90 days |
| pCloud Transfer source | 5 GB | Free tool | Optional | 7 days |
| Tresorit Send source | 5 GB | Free tool | Yes | 7 days |
| Proton Drive source | 5 GB pool | ~$3.99/mo, 200 GB | Yes | You set it |
| WeTransfer source | 3 GB | ~$6.99/mo | No | 3 days |
| Dropbox Transfer source | 2 GB | Plus, 50 GB | No | 7 days |
Free transfer size shown as a meter. Encryption column notes whether files are end-to-end (zero-knowledge) encrypted, not just sent over a secure connection. Figures seen July 2026 from each service; confirm current limits with the source link.
Guides in this section
Five ways past the 25 MB Gmail and Outlook attachment cap.
SFTP, FTPS, HTTPS, and MFT, and when each one fits.
Nine ways to send big files, ranked by limit and privacy.
Pick the right way to share
The best way to send a file depends on its size, who receives it, and how private it needs to be. For anything under 25 MB, an email attachment still works. Past that, you have two good options: a share link from cloud storage you already pay for, or a dedicated transfer service that holds the file for a few days and hands the recipient a download link.
Size sets the floor. A short video or a folder of photos can run past 1 GB, which rules out email and points you at a transfer tool. Our guide to sending large files by email walks through five methods in order, from the built-in Gmail and Outlook handoff to splitting a file into parts.
Privacy sets the ceiling. Most transfer services protect files in transit and on their servers, but the company can still read them. If you are sending contracts, medical records, or anything you would not want a stranger to open, choose end-to-end encryption. Our WeTransfer alternatives guide flags which services encrypt files so only the recipient can open them, and our secure file transfer guide explains the protocols behind business-grade sending.
Frequently asked questions
How do I send a file that is too big for email?
Upload it to cloud storage and share a link, or use a file-transfer service like Wormhole or Filemail. Gmail and Outlook already do the first step for you, swapping an oversized attachment for a share link automatically.
What is the largest file I can send for free?
Free transfer services top out around 5 to 10 GB per send. Wormhole and Send Anywhere allow 10 GB, Filemail and Proton Drive allow about 5 GB, and WeTransfer allows 3 GB.
Is WeTransfer safe?
WeTransfer encrypts files in transit and at rest, but not end to end, so the company can access them on its servers. For sensitive files, use a service with zero-knowledge encryption such as Wormhole, Tresorit Send, or Proton Drive.
How do I send large files from my phone?
Share a link from your phone's cloud storage app, or use a transfer app such as Send Anywhere. Both let you send files far larger than a text message or email attachment allows.
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