If you work with multimedia assets, scientific data or creative projects, you’ve probably struggled to send large files without jumping through hoops. Most mainstream services impose tiny upload limits, clutter users with ads or track your activity. With data breaches regularly making headlines, it’s no longer enough for a tool to be “quick and easy” – you need a no-tracking, privacy-first solution that lets you transfer big files securely.
This guide explores why privacy matters, the key features to look for and the best file-transfer platforms that respect your data. Instead of wading through cookie-laden services, you’ll learn which options truly deliver when you want to transfer large files online without being watched.
Why privacy and no tracking matter when you transfer big files
When you upload a hefty project to the cloud, the transfer process inevitably touches multiple servers. Without robust privacy protections, those servers – or the services behind them – can harvest analytics, build advertising profiles or even use your content for AI training. A privacy-focused file-sharing tool should therefore:
- Encrypt your uploads in transit and at rest.
- Avoid the use of cookies or cross-site trackers that follow you around the web.
- Delete files automatically after a set period and allow you to remove them manually.
- Require minimal or no personal information (no mandatory account sign-ups or forced marketing emails).
Choosing a service with these qualities ensures that recipients can download your files quickly while keeping sensitive data out of third-party hands.
Key factors to consider in a no-tracking file transfer service
Before looking at specific platforms, it’s important to know what to compare. Here are the main features that separate a privacy-first file-sharing tool from the rest:
- File size limits – Many services cap free transfers at a few gigabytes. Look for options that let you send files of 50 GB, 100 GB or even 1 TB without a subscription.
- Retention periods – Free tiers often delete files after a week. If you need longer access, check whether premium plans offer 30-day or 365-day storage.
- Pricing model – Subscription plans can be cost-effective for frequent transfers, but pay-per-use services sometimes offer better value. Make sure you’re not paying for unused capacity.
- Security features – Password protection, end-to-end encryption and download notifications all help ensure that only intended recipients see your files.
- Ease of use – Drag-and-drop uploads, simple sharing links and no forced account creation reduce friction.
- No cookies or tracking – Truly privacy-first services explicitly state that they don’t use cookies or cross-site trackers.
With these criteria in mind, let’s examine the best no-tracking services to help you break free from typical file-transfer headaches.
Top no-tracking file transfer services in 2025
FileFlap – privacy-first transfers with power and speed
FileFlap is our top pick for a simple reason: it blends industry-leading capacity with strong privacy measures. Unlike most competitors, FileFlap lets you send large files of up to 1 TB per transfer and supports collections up to 5 TB. You get 10 GB free and pay $5 per 100 GB after that – a flexible pay-as-you-go model that avoids monthly commitments. Files stay online for 7 days by default and can be extended to 30 days. Privacy is at the core of FileFlap’s design: the service uses SHA-256 hashing and secure tokens, doesn’t require accounts and forbids cookies or cross-site tracking. Advanced analytics and password-protected links are available even on the free tier, and uploads are delivered via a global CDN, ensuring fast downloads worldwide.
Pros
- Up to 1 TB per transfer and 5 TB collections
- No account required; 10 GB free with transparent pricing
- No cookies, no tracking, and files are never used for AI training
- Built-in analytics and password protection at no extra cost
Cons - Default retention is 7 days (extendable to 30)
- Pay-per-GB fees can add up for very frequent transfers
SwissTransfer – privacy-focused and generous
SwissTransfer, operated by Infomaniak, offers strong privacy under Swiss law. It allows up to 50 GB per transfer, keeps files for up to 30 days and requires no account. Optional password protection and download limits add security.
Pros
- 50 GB free transfers and generous 30-day retention
- Swiss data protection laws and optional password security
- No account or advertising
Cons - No analytics or custom branding options
- Less suitable for multi-terabyte projects
Smash – unlimited sizes but slower free transfers
Smash stands out by imposing no hard file size limit on its free tier. Users can send files of any size, but transfers larger than 2 GB are placed in a queue, which slows down availability for recipients. Free files remain available for 7 days, and paid plans offer 250 GB per transfer, 1 TB of storage and 30-day retention. Smash also provides optional password protection, email notifications and customizable download pages for branding.
Pros
- Unlimited file size on the free tier
- 50 GB free transfer limit with password protection and expiry control
- Custom branding and longer retention on paid plans
Cons - Files over 2 GB may be queued, slowing transfers
- Paid tiers required for faster speeds and larger transfer quotas
TransferNow – long-term retention and customizable links
TransferNow offers a balanced mix of free and paid features. Its free plan supports 5 GB per transfer and unlimited transfers. Files remain online for 7 days, and password protection is available without an account. Paid plans boost the limit to 250 GB per file and extend retention up to 365 days. You can customize download links and receive email notifications each time a recipient accesses your file.
Pros
- Free transfers up to 5 GB with no volume limits
- 365-day retention and 250 GB per file on Premium
- Password protection and customizable links without an account
Cons - Files expire after 7 days on the free plan
- Account registration required for premium features
Send with Hivenet – community-powered privacy
Hivenet’s Send service emphasizes privacy and community. The platform lets users send files up to 4 GB without creating an account, encrypting files both in transit and at rest. Password protection is supported from the start, making it ideal for freelancers or small teams. The service also notes that Hivenet keeps user data safe with no ads and no tracking.
Pros
- Free transfers up to 4 GB with end-to-end encryption
- No ads or tracking, reflecting a strong privacy stance
- Built-in password protection
Cons - File size limit is smaller than competitors (4 GB)
- No extended retention; best for one-off transfers
MASV – pay-per-use for huge files
MASV positions itself as a high-speed transfer service for creative teams. It offers pay-as-you-go pricing at $0.25 per gigabyte, with 15 GB of free credits for new users. This model makes sense for occasional large transfers but can become expensive for regular workflows. MASV’s pricing means transferring 10 TB costs over $2,500. Moreover, the service lacks advanced analytics, document management and branded download pages.
Pros
- No file size limit; large projects upload quickly via robust infrastructure
- Flexible, pay-per-GB pricing with 15 GB free credit
Cons - Expensive for frequent transfers
- Lacks organization features, branding and analytics
pCloud Transfer – secure but limited free service
pCloud Transfer acts as a lightweight sibling to pCloud’s cloud storage. The service allows free transfers up to 5 GB, requires no registration, and supports optional password protection. Unlike full pCloud accounts, files expire after roughly a week, and there’s no built-in analytics. It’s best for occasional secure sharing of small to medium files.
Pros
- 5 GB free transfers with no sign-up
- End-to-end encryption (optional) for extra security
Cons - No retention extensions; files expire after a short period
- Limited to small-medium files (5 GB)
Drime – high-capacity free transfers
Drime, a French service, stands out with generous 100 GB transfers at no cost. Recipients do not need an account, and Drime adds 20 GB of free cloud storage. Files benefit from military-grade TLS encryption and are hosted in secure French data centers. However, Drime is primarily targeted at French users, and global speeds may not match CDN-powered services like FileFlap.
Pros
- 100 GB free transfer limit, far exceeding many competitors
- Optional 20 GB cloud storage and secure French infrastructure
Cons - Service availability is region-limited; speeds may vary internationally
- Interface and support primarily in French
WeTransfer – popular but limited free tier
While many people rely on WeTransfer for quick sharing, it isn’t a true alternative for privacy-minded users. After recent ownership changes, the free plan now allows up to 3 GB per transfer, but you’re limited to 10 transfers or 3 GB total every 30 days. Files expire after three days, and password protection requires a user account. WeTransfer’s larger plans are subscription-based and cost more per user compared to other services. Additionally, WeTransfer uses cookies and trackers for analytics and advertising by default.
Pros
- Extremely simple interface; widely recognized
- Paid plans allow up to 300 GB per transfer and 300 GB of storage
Cons - 3 GB limit and three-day retention on the free tier
- Monthly transfer caps and subscription requirements
- Uses cookies and trackers; less privacy-centric
Tips for securely transferring large files online
Even with a privacy-first service, you can take extra steps to safeguard sensitive data. Here are best practices to consider:
- Encrypt before uploading – Tools like VeraCrypt or ZIP with passwords add another layer of protection.
- Use strong passwords – If the service allows password-protected links, choose complex, unique passwords and share them through a different channel.
- Compress your files – Compression reduces file size and may bring your transfer under the free-tier limit.
- Batch your uploads – Combining multiple files into a single archive reduces per-transfer fees on pay-per-use services.
- Monitor your transfers – Track how many transfers you’ve used to avoid hitting monthly caps on services like WeTransfer.
Choosing the right no-tracking service for your needs
| Service | Best for | Key advantage | Free limit | Retention |
| FileFlap | Professionals needing up to 1 TB per file | 10 GB free, pay-as-you-go pricing, no tracking | 10 GB | 7–30 days |
| SwissTransfer | Privacy-conscious users | Swiss hosting, 50 GB free | 50 GB | Up to 30 days |
| Smash | Occasional large transfers with branding | Unlimited file size (free) | 50 GB | 7–30 days |
| TransferNow | Long-term sharing | Up to 365 days retention | 5 GB | 7–365 days |
| Hivenet Send | Small teams & freelancers | 4 GB free with encryption and no tracking | 4 GB | Short term |
| MASV | Huge, sporadic transfers | Pay-per-GB pricing and fast infrastructure | 15 GB credit | Short term |
| pCloud Transfer | Secure small- to medium-size files | 5 GB free, password protection | 5 GB | Limited |
| Drime | Users needing large free uploads | 100 GB free, 20 GB storage | 100 GB | Varies |
| WeTransfer | Casual, small transfers | Simple interface | 3 GB | 3 days |
Conclusion
Sending a massive video archive or dataset shouldn’t mean surrendering your privacy. Modern services like FileFlap show that it’s possible to send large files quickly without accounts, cookies or trackers. Meanwhile, privacy-minded alternatives such as SwissTransfer, Smash and TransferNow let you transfer big files while choosing exactly how long they stay online. By understanding your needs – file size, retention period, budget and security – you can choose a WeTransfer alternative that works for you. Whether you’re collaborating on creative projects, delivering research data or sharing footage with clients, the tools above will help you transfer large files online with confidence and without unwelcome tracking.
