When it comes to free file sharing services, Smash and FileGrab both stand out from the crowd. Smash offers unlimited file sizes on the free tier, while FileGrab takes a unique “link-first” approach with zero ads. But which one is actually better for your needs?
In this head-to-head comparison, we’ll break down the features, limits, and user experience of both services to help you make an informed choice.
The Key Difference at a Glance
Smash’s approach: Maximum file size, minimal barriers. Upload files of any size for free, keep them available for 14 days, and share via link. The trade-off is ads and slower upload speeds on the free tier.
FileGrab’s approach: Link-first workflow with real-time sync. Get your shareable link before files finish uploading, and recipients see files appear live. No ads ever, even on free tier, but smaller file size limits.
Both are excellent services, but they optimize for different priorities.
Free Tier Comparison
Let’s start with what you get without paying a dime:
| Feature | Smash Free | FileGrab Free |
|---|---|---|
| Max File Size | Unlimited | 100MB |
| Storage Quota | Per-transfer (no quota) | 100MB total |
| Link Expiry | 14 days | 7 days |
| Upload Speed | Throttled | Full speed |
| Ads | Yes | Never |
| Collaboration | No | No |
| Password Protection | No | No |
| Customization | Basic | None |
Smash’s biggest advantage: Unlimited file sizes. If you need to send a 50GB video project for free, Smash is your only option in this comparison.
FileGrab’s biggest advantage: Zero ads and full upload speeds. The experience is clean and fast, even on the free tier.
Pro/Premium Tier Comparison
Now let’s look at the paid plans:
| Feature | Smash Pro ($8/mo) | FileGrab Pro ($10/mo or $100/yr) |
|---|---|---|
| Max File Size | Unlimited | 2GB |
| Storage Quota | Unlimited transfers | 10GB total |
| Link Expiry | Custom (up to forever) | Custom or forever |
| Password Protection | Yes | Yes |
| Custom Branding | Yes | No |
| Analytics | Yes | Basic stats |
| Collaboration | No | Yes (unique feature) |
| End-to-End Encryption | No | Yes (unique feature) |
| Delete Individual Files | No | Yes |
| Ads | No | Never (even on free) |
Smash Pro’s advantages: Custom branding, detailed analytics, unlimited file sizes, slightly cheaper ($8 vs $10).
FileGrab Pro’s advantages: Collaborative links (multiple people can add files to the same link), end-to-end encryption, ability to delete individual files from a link.
The Unlimited File Size Question
Smash’s unlimited file size feature sounds incredible, and it is genuinely useful for specific scenarios:
When unlimited file size matters:
- Video production (raw 4K footage, project files)
- Large design projects (PSDs, Adobe Creative Cloud files)
- Software builds and packages
- Scientific datasets
- Full-quality photo albums (hundreds of RAW images)
When it doesn’t matter:
- Most business documents are under 100MB
- Compressed videos for sharing are usually under 2GB
- Most photo collections (JPEGs) are manageable
- Day-to-day file sharing rarely exceeds 2GB
For the majority of users, FileGrab’s 2GB limit (on Pro) or even 100MB limit (on free) is sufficient. But if you regularly work with massive files, Smash’s unlimited transfers are invaluable.
The Link-First Workflow
FileGrab’s defining feature is the link-first approach. Here’s how it changes the sharing experience:
Traditional workflow (Smash and most services):
- Select files to upload
- Wait for upload to complete (could be 10-30 minutes for large files)
- Receive shareable link
- Share link with recipient
FileGrab’s link-first workflow:
- Get shareable link instantly
- Upload files (can share link immediately)
- Recipient sees files appear in real-time
- No waiting before sharing
This is particularly useful when:
- You’re on a phone call or video chat (“I’m sending you the link now, files will appear in a moment”)
- You have multiple files uploading at different speeds
- You want to bookmark the link for yourself before uploads complete
- You’re sharing with someone who wants to start downloading early files while later ones upload
Smash requires you to wait for uploads to finish before getting your link, which is the traditional (and slightly less convenient) approach.
Collaboration: FileGrab’s Unique Feature
FileGrab Pro offers something that Smash doesn’t: collaborative links. This means multiple people can add files to the same shareable link.
How it works:
- Create a link with collaboration enabled (Pro feature)
- Share the link
- Both you and recipients can add files
- Everyone sees all files in real-time
Real-world use cases:
- Wedding photos (guests upload their pictures to your link)
- Group projects (team members contribute files)
- Client work (both parties share materials in one place)
- Event collaborations (organizers and participants share files)
This turns file sharing into a two-way street, essentially creating a temporary shared folder without requiring accounts or complex permissions.
Smash has no equivalent feature. It’s strictly one-way: you upload, they download.
Security and Privacy
Both services take security seriously, but they handle encryption differently:
Smash:
- Files encrypted in transit (HTTPS)
- Files encrypted at rest on servers
- Smash has the encryption keys
- Can access file contents if required by law
FileGrab:
- Standard links: Encrypted in transit and at rest
- Pro encrypted links: End-to-end encryption option
- E2E encrypted files: Only link holders can decrypt
- FileGrab cannot access E2E encrypted file contents
Privacy-conscious users should note that FileGrab’s end-to-end encryption option (Pro plan) provides stronger privacy guarantees. With E2E encryption:
- Files are encrypted on your device before upload
- The encryption key is in the URL fragment (never sent to the server)
- FileGrab servers cannot decrypt your files
- Recipients decrypt files in their browser
This is the same level of security used by services like Bitwarden Send and Firefox Send. Smash has no equivalent feature.
For sensitive files (contracts, financial documents, medical records, personal data), end-to-end encryption is worth considering.
User Experience and Interface
Both services prioritize simplicity, but with different philosophies:
Smash:
- Clean, modern interface
- Customization options (background images, colors)
- Preview link before sharing
- Transfer history dashboard
- Custom branding on Pro plan
FileGrab:
- Minimalist, no-frills interface
- Dark/light mode (system-aware)
- Drag-and-drop anywhere on page
- Real-time file list updates
- Statistics (views, downloads)
Smash feels more polished with custom backgrounds and branding options. It’s a better choice if you want to impress clients with a professional-looking transfer page.
FileGrab feels more functional with its focus on speed and efficiency. The real-time sync and instant link generation make it feel faster, even if the interface is simpler.
Upload and Download Performance
Performance varies based on file size and network conditions:
Smash:
- Free tier: Throttled upload speeds
- Pro tier: Full speed uploads
- Large file optimization (unlimited sizes)
- Resume capability for interrupted uploads
FileGrab:
- Full speed uploads even on free tier
- Chunked uploads for reliability (10MB+ files use multipart)
- Resumable uploads (automatic retry on failure)
- Real-time progress tracking
For free users, FileGrab offers better upload performance. Smash’s throttling on the free tier can make large uploads painfully slow.
For Pro users, both offer full-speed uploads with good reliability.
Link Management and Expiry
How long do your files stay available?
Smash Free:
- 14-day expiry (generous)
- Automatic deletion after expiry
- No storage quota (per-transfer model)
Smash Pro:
- Custom expiry options
- “Forever” links available
- Still no storage quota
FileGrab Free:
- 7-day expiry
- Automatic deletion after expiry
- 100MB storage quota (across all links)
FileGrab Pro:
- Custom expiry or forever links
- 10GB storage quota
- Can delete individual files from links
Smash’s advantage: Longer expiry on free tier (14 vs 7 days) and no storage quota to manage.
FileGrab’s advantage: More control (delete individual files, adjust expiry on existing links with Pro).
Pricing Value Analysis
Let’s break down what you’re actually paying for:
Smash Pro ($8/month, $60/year):
- You’re paying primarily for: No ads, faster uploads, custom branding, analytics
- Best for: Professionals who want to impress clients, frequent large file senders
FileGrab Pro ($10/month, $100/year):
- You’re paying primarily for: Collaboration features, E2E encryption, larger files, more storage
- Best for: Teams collaborating on projects, privacy-conscious users, frequent sharers
Better value for most users: FileGrab’s unique features (collaboration, E2E encryption) justify the slightly higher price. These are features you can’t get anywhere else at this price point.
Better value for budget-conscious users: Smash Pro is $2/month cheaper and includes unlimited file sizes, which is genuinely useful for specific workflows.
Free Tier: Which Is Better?
For free users, the choice depends on your typical file sizes:
Choose Smash Free if:
- You regularly send files larger than 100MB
- You can tolerate ads and slower upload speeds
- You want 14-day link expiry
- You don’t need collaboration features
Choose FileGrab Free if:
- Your files are usually under 100MB
- You hate ads and want a clean experience
- You value full-speed uploads
- You want to try the link-first workflow
Verdict: For occasional large files, Smash Free wins on file size alone. For frequent small-to-medium files, FileGrab Free offers a better experience (no ads, full speed, cleaner interface).
Pro Tier: Which Is Better?
For paying users, the decision is about which unique features you need:
Choose Smash Pro if:
- You regularly work with files larger than 2GB
- You want custom branding for client impressions
- You need detailed analytics on transfers
- You value the slightly lower price
Choose FileGrab Pro if:
- You need collaborative links (multiple people adding files)
- You want end-to-end encryption for sensitive files
- You want forever links with the option to delete specific files later
- You value the ad-free experience and real-time sync
Verdict: For individual users who send large files frequently, Smash Pro’s unlimited size and lower price make sense. For teams or privacy-focused users, FileGrab Pro’s unique features (collaboration and E2E encryption) are worth the extra $2/month.
Real-World Scenarios
Let’s look at specific use cases:
Scenario 1: Sending a 10GB video project to a client
- Winner: Smash (unlimited file size on free tier, no question)
Scenario 2: Team of 5 collecting photos for a project
- Winner: FileGrab Pro (collaborative links let everyone contribute to one URL)
Scenario 3: Sharing confidential legal documents
- Winner: FileGrab Pro (end-to-end encryption means only the recipient can decrypt)
Scenario 4: Daily business document sharing (sub-100MB files)
- Winner: FileGrab Free (ad-free, full speed, better experience)
Scenario 5: Professional agency impressing clients
- Winner: Smash Pro (custom branding, beautiful interface)
Scenario 6: Wedding guests uploading photos to couple’s link
- Winner: FileGrab Pro (collaborative links, only service that supports this)
The Verdict
Both Smash and FileGrab are excellent file sharing services with generous free tiers and useful Pro features. Your choice depends on your priorities:
Smash is better if you:
- Need to send very large files (>2GB) regularly
- Want custom branding and analytics
- Prefer a slightly cheaper Pro plan
- Can tolerate ads on the free tier
FileGrab is better if you:
- Value an ad-free experience (even on free tier)
- Need collaborative links (unique feature)
- Want end-to-end encryption for sensitive files
- Prefer the link-first workflow with real-time sync
- Work with teams or groups that need to share files together
For most individual users sending occasional large files, Smash’s unlimited file sizes make it the practical choice. For teams, businesses, or privacy-conscious users, FileGrab’s unique features (collaboration and E2E encryption) provide capabilities that Smash simply doesn’t offer.
Best compromise: Use Smash Free for those rare 10GB+ transfers, and use FileGrab Free (or Pro) for everything else. Both services are worth having in your toolkit.
Ready to try the link-first approach? Get started at filegrab.link and experience real-time file sync with zero ads.