TL;DR

If you need to send large files quickly, pick one of three approaches depending on urgency and scale:

1. For one-off transfers under 50 GB, free web services like Smash and SwissTransfer often work well. Smash

2. For repeat, reliable transfers and pro workflows, use dedicated paid services (MASV, Filemail paid plans), or cloud storage with presigned links (Dropbox, Google Drive, Backblaze). MASV

3. For sharing files with external clients for review, getting real-time feedback on them, use end-to-end production management platform like Kreatli.

Why large-file transfers still cause pain

Large media files hit three pain points:

• Upload interruptions and slow network conditions.

• Security and compliance concerns when you share public links.

• Unclear delivery status and receipts, which make billing and approvals harder.

A reliable approach combines the right tool, a repeatable workflow, and a place to store delivery receipts and approvals. For many teams, that "place" is your production management platform or production management software (for example, Kreatli), because it keeps brief, review and delivery records together.

Quick comparison table

Best tools and when to use them (with links)

• Smash, free up to very large sizes in practice, great for occasional 20–50 GB transfers. Use for client review links and mobile-friendly downloads. Smash

• SwissTransfer (Infomaniak), free transfers up to 50 GB, hosted in Switzerland if you need Swiss residency. Good for privacy-minded shares. SwissTransfer

• MyAirBridge, free transfers up to 20 GB, simple UI for occasional large transfers. MyAirBridge.com

• WeTransfer, very simple for small jobs, free tier limits are small (see vendor page for current limit and policy). wetransfer.com

• Filemail, free tier up to 5 GB, paid plans for larger and unlimited sizes. Check current plan details on their site. Filemail

• MASV, pay-as-you-go service optimized for media transfers and high throughput, integrates with automation and cloud storage. Use for repeat deliveries and agency workflows. MASV

• Kreatli/ Dropbox / Google Drive, use these when you need collaboration, versioning, or long-term shareable storage; generate presigned URLs for secure deliveries. Kreatli

Practical options for different scenarios

Scenario A, Freelancer sending a single 20–50 GB draft to a client

1. Compress and transcode to a streaming-friendly proxy, if possible (H.264, 720p).

2. Use Smash or SwissTransfer to upload and create a download link, password-protect if supported.

3. Paste the link, the review brief (what to focus on), and a delivery receipt into your production management software for traceability.

Scenario B, Studio delivering many masters, repeatably

1. Use MASV to ingest masters from contributors, because it handles unstable networks, and has resumable uploads.

2. MASV can drop files into your archive bucket (Backblaze B2, Wasabi) on completion, then generate a presigned download link for clients.

3. Record the delivery and the download confirmation inside your production management software.

Scenario C, Long-term collaboration and many small assets

1. Use Kreatli, Dropbox or Google Drive for daily sync and collaboration. Configure access controls and link expiry.

2. Use your production management software to link to asset folders and to host approval receipts, notes, and version history.

Step-by-step: how to avoid transfer failures

1. Check upstream bandwidth with a speed test. If upload speed is poor, consider local copy + courier for huge work.

2. Create proxies for review, not masters. Send proxies first for fast sign-off.

3. Use resumable uploads tools like MASV or dedicated upload clients when available.

4. Password-protect sensitive files, use time-limited links and record expiry dates in the project record.

5. Send a delivery receipt (link + checksum + timestamp) in your production management software to ensure billable proof.

6. Test-dl on a different network to verify download before telling the client it is ready.

Security and compliance

• Use TLS during transfer and server-side encryption at rest. Most reputable services encrypt transfers and storage by default, but verify the provider docs.

• For regulated content, choose vendors with region options or host archives in region-specific providers (e.g., SwissTransfer stores in Switzerland).

• Keep an audit trail of who downloaded what and when, either from the transfer provider or from your production management software.

Visuals & assets to include

• Diagram: "Uploader → transcode/proxy → transfer service → archive → client download"

• Table: quick tool feature checklist (limit, retention, password, mobile)

• Screenshot: Smash upload screen, MASV job dashboard, Dropbox presigned link UI

FAQ

Q: What if the recipient cannot download large files?
A: Offer alternative speeds or a lower-resolution proxy, or advise them to use a wired connection. For very large deliveries, courier a hard drive.

Q: How long do free transfer links usually last?
A: It varies, from a few days to 30 days. Always check the provider retention policy and record expiry in the project. (See Smash and SwissTransfer pages.)

Q: Are free transfers safe for confidential footage?
A: Use password protection, short expiries, and ideally a vendor with strong privacy policies. For high-sensitivity content, prefer paid enterprise options and encryption at rest.

Conclusion

Sending GBs of footage does not have to be painful. Choose the right tool for the job, automate the boring steps, send proxies for review, and record deliveries and approvals in your production management software. If you want to centralize briefs, approvals and delivery receipts so you never chase proof of delivery again, try Kreatli as a production management platform and run a short pilot to validate your transfer workflow.