SwissTransfer is popular for its Swiss-based privacy and generous 50GB limit. But if you need features it doesn’t offer, or want faster speeds in your region, these alternatives provide strong privacy with more flexibility.
What Makes SwissTransfer Popular?
SwissTransfer has earned its reputation through:
- Swiss jurisdiction - Strong privacy laws
- 50GB file limit - Very generous free tier
- No account required - Quick, anonymous sharing
- Password protection - Included free
- 30-day expiry - Longer than most competitors
Why Consider Alternatives?
Despite its strengths, SwissTransfer has limitations:
- Slow speeds outside Europe - Servers are in Switzerland
- No end-to-end encryption - Password protection isn’t the same
- Limited features - Basic sharing only
- No collaboration - One-way transfers only
- No link-first model - Must wait for upload
Best SwissTransfer Alternatives
1. FileGrab (Best for Speed + Privacy)
FileGrab offers privacy-focused features on Cloudflare’s global network.
Privacy features:
- End-to-end encryption (Pro)
- Password protection (Pro)
- Files served from nearest edge location
- No tracking or ads
Speed advantage:
- Cloudflare’s 300+ global locations
- Fast worldwide delivery
- Link-first sharing (share before upload completes)
Limits: 100MB free, 2GB with Pro ($10/month)
2. Wormhole
End-to-end encrypted by default.
Pros:
- E2E encryption on all files
- 10GB limit
- WebRTC direct transfers available
- Open source
Cons:
- 24-hour expiry only
- No longer file storage
- Basic feature set
3. Tresorit Send
Enterprise-grade security.
Pros:
- True end-to-end encryption
- Swiss-based (like SwissTransfer)
- Up to 5GB per transfer
- Download limits available
Cons:
- Requires account
- Expensive paid plans
- Overkill for casual use
4. OnionShare
Maximum anonymity with Tor.
Pros:
- Runs over Tor network
- Completely anonymous
- Self-hosted
- Open source
Cons:
- Requires app installation
- Slow transfers
- Technical setup needed
- Must stay online during transfer
5. Firefox Send (via community forks)
The concept lives on in community projects.
Pros:
- End-to-end encryption
- Self-hostable
- Open source codebase
Cons:
- Need to find reliable instance
- No official support
- Variable reliability
Privacy Features Compared
| Service | E2E Encryption | Password | Jurisdiction | Account Required |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SwissTransfer | No | Yes | Switzerland | No |
| FileGrab Pro | Yes | Yes | Global CDN | Optional |
| Wormhole | Yes | No | USA | No |
| Tresorit Send | Yes | Yes | Switzerland | Yes |
| OnionShare | Yes | Yes | Self-hosted | No |
Understanding Privacy Levels
Password Protection
- Prevents casual access
- Server can still see files
- SwissTransfer uses this
End-to-End Encryption
- Files encrypted before upload
- Server never sees content
- Decryption key stays with you
- FileGrab Pro and Wormhole offer this
Zero-Knowledge
- Service cannot access your data
- Even if compelled, they have nothing
- Strongest privacy guarantee
Speed Comparison
SwissTransfer’s European servers mean slower speeds for users elsewhere:
| Region | SwissTransfer | FileGrab | Wormhole |
|---|---|---|---|
| Europe | Fast | Fast | P2P varies |
| USA | Medium | Fast | P2P varies |
| Asia | Slow | Fast | P2P varies |
| Australia | Very slow | Fast | P2P varies |
FileGrab’s Cloudflare backing means files are served from the nearest location to your recipient.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | SwissTransfer | FileGrab Pro | Wormhole |
|---|---|---|---|
| Max file size | 50GB | 2GB | 10GB |
| Expiry | 30 days | Forever | 24 hours |
| E2E encryption | No | Yes | Yes |
| Password protection | Yes | Yes | No |
| Collaboration | No | Yes | No |
| Link-first | No | Yes | No |
Choosing the Right Alternative
Choose FileGrab if you need:
- Fast worldwide delivery
- End-to-end encryption
- Collaborative sharing
- Simple interface
Choose Wormhole if you need:
- Free E2E encryption
- Temporary sharing (24h max)
- Open source verification
Choose Tresorit Send if you need:
- Swiss jurisdiction specifically
- Enterprise compliance
- Download limits
Stay with SwissTransfer if you need:
- Very large files (50GB)
- Long storage (30 days)
- European-focused sharing
The Bottom Line
SwissTransfer is great for large files within Europe. But for global delivery, true end-to-end encryption, and modern features like collaboration, FileGrab offers a compelling alternative.