Discover simple, secure ways to streamline your file transfers
Let’s face it — scientists and engineers frequently need to transfer big files. From large datasets and whole albums of field photos to complex simulations or a copy of your thesis, there are countless hefty files you might need to share with someone.
Unfortunately, email, with its 25 MB file limit, isn’t going to cut it. And Google Drive and Dropbox aren’t always viable.
Thankfully, WeTransfer offers a secure solution that’s so easy your grandma could use it. The question is, are you getting the most out of this B-Corp-certified file sharing solution?
READ MORE: Explore Ocean Wonders on Earth Day with WeTransfer
Getting started with WeTransfer
Using WeTransfer is remarkably straightforward. In fact, the user-friendly approach means you can transfer files quickly and easily, without needing an account for you or your recipient.
There are two ways to transfer a file with WeTransfer:
- Email transfer — ideal for direct sharing with up to three people or transferring files between your own devices.
- Link transfer — best for larger groups or social media sharing.
For transfers up to 2 GB, it’s free.
Need to send larger files? Prices start at just $15/month and paid plans allow up to 1 TB transfers.
WeTransfer email transfers vs link transfers
The question is, when should you use an email transfer and when should you opt for a link transfer? Here’s our expert advice.
Email transfer: the personal touch
Ideal for transferring files to specific people, the email transfer method is akin to sending a digital parcel directly to someone’s inbox. Maybe you need to share the results of your latest experiment with a research partner? Or maybe you need to share photos of your research with a journalist for some PR exposure? An email transfer is perfect for that.
To share files via the email transfer method, simply:
- Head to wetransfer.com
- Upload your file/s
- Supply your email address and your recipient’s email address and write a message
- Hit ‘transfer’
- (Optional) If you don’t have an account, you’ll receive a verification email with a code to input, but if you have an account, you’ll skip that step.
And that’s it. Pretty easy, right?
That’s the basics of how to share a file with WeTransfer but there are additional features. You’ll be notified when your files are downloaded, you can see how many times your files are downloaded, and you can control how long the files will be available for download.
Want to know when a recalcitrant team member actually downloads the file they’re meant to be working on? If you signup for a free or paid account, WeTransfer will have your back!
Link transfer: the versatile choice
What if you don’t have the email addresses of all the people you need to share files with or you need to transfer files to lots of people? Maybe you’re sharing files with your class or your audience on social media. Link transfer is the way to go.
Instead of sending files directly to specific email addresses, WeTransfer generates a unique link to your files. This link can be shared anywhere – over social media, on a message board, within messaging apps, in a larger email to multiple recipients, on a printed flyer; literally anywhere — and recipients don’t need an account to download files via the link.
To perform a link transfer, simply:
- Head to wetransfer.com
- Upload your file/s
- Write a message (you don’t need to supply a recipient email or your email address)
- Click the ellipsis (…) and select ‘link transfer’
- Hit ‘get link’
And that’s it. Just as easy, right?
Notice the link transfer method keeps everyone’s email address private. It’s also useful if you may need to share your files again in the future as you can just give the link to additional people whenever the need arises.
Advanced Tips for enhanced file sharing with WeTransfer
Beyond the basic functionality of sending and receiving files, WeTransfer offers a variety of advanced features that’ll really take your file-sharing experience to the next level, if you have an account.
Upgrade for larger data transfers and more recipients
A free account will increase your transfer file-size limit to 3 GB and a paid account will get you a limit of 50 GB, 200 GB or 1 TB depending on your chosen plan. Paid accountholders also gain access to up to 3 TB of storage, allowing you to keep track of your files and transfers all in one place.
Furthermore, paid accounts can send email transfers to more email addresses and can also have more people download shared files.
Personalise your WeTransfer profile
Some plans offer handy personalisation features. These include customising your WeTransfer URL, setting up a background wallpaper for your transfer page, and customising your WeTransfer emails. This is a great opportunity to brand your file transfers, reinforcing your professional image with every file you send.
Password protection and extended transfer expiry
By default WeTransfer file transfers have an expiry date. Upgrading to paid accounts allows you to increase, or even eliminate, the expiry window. And if you’re transferring sensitive documents, paid accounts enable you to protect transfers with a password.
Sell files or collaborate
With a free or paid account, you can sell files, collect feedback on documents, or even invite collaborators to edit documents within your workspace.
Do good
Another benefit of using WeTransfer is the social good you support through the brand. WeTransfer provides grants for emerging creatives and supports sustainable projects worldwide. In fact, WeTransfer’s a certified B-Corporation.
READ MORE: Ethical, sustainable digital services do exist
Speed up your workflow
There are lots of ways WeTransfer can help you improve your workflow. For example, do you need a quick and easy way to send large files from your mobile to your desktop? Instead of messing around with physical storage or having to figure out a cloud storage folder system that will allow you to easily find your files, simply load the files into WeTransfer and email yourself the link. Downloading the file when you’re on your desktop is then as simple as clicking a button.
As another example, do you need to share files with someone who doesn’t have a cloud storage account? Or worse, do you need to share files with several people who all use different cloud storage accounts? Getting everyone onto the same platform is a pain. Having to upload files to several storage platforms is an even bigger bump in your workflow. WeTransfer solves both problems. Simply upload the files to WeTransfer ones and share the links with each recipient. They can then download the files without having to have an account at all. That’s much faster for everyone.
Affordable or even free file sharing with WeTransfer
Whether you’re a professional sharing large project files, a student sending academic work, or someone simply looking to share memories with friends and family, WeTransfer offers a solution that’s private, secure, and easy to use, even the free version. So, what are you waiting for? Transfer a file now.