Send Large Files to Clients: 7 Tools That Let You Send 20GB+ Free
Need to send 20GB or more to a client? We compare 7 practical options (cloud and peer-to-peer), show exactly how to use each one, list security caveats, and explain how to record delivery receipts inside your production management platform.
Sharing very large media with clients is still a pain point for many creative teams. You want a fast upload, a reliable download for the recipient, and a clear audit trail proving delivery - ideally without spending on expensive enterprise plans. Below we walk through seven tools and methods that let you transfer ~20GB or more without paying, plus practical workflows for studios and freelancers. Where relevant we call out the limits and caveats, and we show how to keep delivery receipts and approvals together inside your production management platform.
Quick note: always test a transfer for a non-critical file first. Limits can change, and some methods require the sender or receiver to run an app.
At a glance - the 7 tools we recommend
Smash - free, no practical file-size limit for most uses. Smash
SwissTransfer (Infomaniak) - free transfers up to 50 GB, hosted in Switzerland. SwissTransfer
Send Anywhere - peer-to-peer and link modes; 6-digit key transfers can handle very large files (support docs note up to 50 GB for key transfers). Send Anywhere
MyAirBridge - free transfers up to 20 GB on the free tier. MyAirBridge.com
File.pizza (FilePizza) - browser-based peer-to-peer transfer with effectively no server-side size limit (the transfer is direct between devices). file.pizza
Syncthing - open-source peer-to-peer sync with no inherent file-size limit (good for ad-hoc direct transfers when both parties run the client). Syncthing
OnionShare - Tor-based direct transfers that can handle very large files, useful for private transfers where both parties can run the tool. OnionShare
Why these seven?
Smash and SwissTransfer are fastest for one-off, browser-driven uploads that exceed standard free limits. They keep things simple for clients who only need a download link.
MyAirBridge covers the common “20 GB” breakpoint with a straightforward free tier.
Send Anywhere gives a resilient key-based P2P option that scales to large single-file transfers if both sides use the app or key workflow.
File.pizza, Syncthing, and OnionShare are peer-to-peer options that avoid intermediary servers entirely, so they can move arbitrarily large files as long as both endpoints are connected. These are great when privacy or limits are a concern.
How to choose the right method - a decision checklist
Ask these questions before you pick a tool:
Is the recipient technical and willing to install an app? If yes, consider Syncthing, File.pizza, or Send Anywhere key mode.
Does the file need long-term storage or many downloads? If yes, upload to cloud storage or use a platform that links uploads into an archive.
Is privacy or data residency important? Use SwissTransfer (Switzerland) or P2P + encryption.
Do you need an auditable delivery receipt for billing? Use a transfer tool + record the link + checksum in your production management platform. (See workflow below.)
Step-by-step workflows
Workflow A - Quick client draft (recommended for most freelancers)
Create a streaming-friendly proxy if possible (H.264, 720p) to speed client downloads.
Upload to Smash or SwissTransfer and enable password protection where available.
Paste the download link, password, expiry, and a checksum into your project record.
Paste the same info into your production management platform so approvals and delivery proof live with the brief. (Example: Kreatli)
Why: fast, no installs for clients, and you keep an audit trail.
Workflow B - Very large masters (studio deliveries)
Use a managed transfer for ingest (MASV or paid transfer), or ask contributors to upload directly to your archive bucket.
If you need a free outward link to hand to a client, use SwissTransfer or Smash for a temporary download link and then move the final asset into your archive
Record the delivery inside your production management software, attach checksum and download receipts, and close the approval loop.
Workflow C - Zero-server, private transfer
If both parties are comfortable installing software, use Syncthing or File.pizza for direct transfers with no intermediary storage.
After transfer, push metadata and a delivery note into your production management platform so the project timeline shows the completed delivery.
Security & practical caveats
Retention and expiry: free services often expire links after days or weeks. Record expiry dates in your project notes.
Bandwidth: large uploads depend on sender upload speed; test first and consider shipping a drive for multi-TB jobs.
Checksums: always include an MD5 or SHA256 checksum with any large delivery so the client can verify integrity.
Privacy/compliance: if you have strict data residency or compliance needs, prefer a vendor with region guarantees or use P2P + encryption. SwissTransfer advertises Swiss hosting for privacy-conscious transfers.
Comparison table
Tool | Free for up to 20GB? | Best for | Caveat |
|---|---|---|---|
Smash | Yes (practical no-limit free use) | Fast one-off large sends | Free retention may be limited |
SwissTransfer | Yes (up to 50GB free). | Privacy-forward 50GB sends | Links expire after configured days |
Send Anywhere | Yes (key transfers up to 50GB documented). | P2P with simple key flow | Recipient may need app for some modes |
MyAirBridge | Yes (20GB free). | 20GB occasional sends | Paid tiers for longer retention |
File.pizza | Effectively yes (P2P, no server limit). | Instant P2P in-browser | Sender must stay online |
Syncthing | Yes (no inherent limit). | Ongoing direct sync & large transfers | Requires setup on both sides |
OnionShare | Yes (no set limit; Tor-based). | Very private large transfers | Requires Tor and can be slower |
FAQ
Q - What if the client cannot download 20+ GB?
A - Offer a proxy preview for review and a final delivery via an accelerated transfer or courier drive for the final master.
Q - Are P2P tools safe for confidential footage?
A - They can be. Syncthing and File.pizza avoid third-party storage, but ensure endpoints are secure and use encryption if possible.
Q - How do we prove delivery for billing?
A - Save the transfer link, checksum, timestamp, and any provider download logs into your production management platform. This becomes your auditable delivery receipt.
How Kreatli fits in
We recommend using an end-to-end production management platform like Kreatli to centralize the human side of delivery: briefs, review instructions, delivery links, checksums, approval receipts, and billing notes. For example, after you upload a 50GB master via Smash or a P2P transfer, paste the download link and checksum into the project item in Kreatli so approvals and delivery evidence live with the project record. That way you never hunt through emails for proof of delivery.
Conclusion
Large-file transfers do not have to be expensive or awkward. For quick client drafts we recommend Smash or SwissTransfer; for peer-to-peer privacy and unlimited size, try File.pizza, Syncthing, or OnionShare; and for a reliable 20GB free option, MyAirBridge is useful. Whatever transfer method you choose, attach the download link, checksum, and expiry to your production management platform so approvals, receipts, and billing live with the project.
