Ferry vs SwissTransfer
Ferry vs SwissTransfer: free large file transfer compared
Checked October 2026
The short answer
Use SwissTransfer to leave a file for someone who will download it later and you have no Ferry account: it is free and needs no sign-up. Use Ferry when the file is larger than 50 GB, when you want no copy stored anywhere, or when the other person is ready now.
SwissTransfer, from Infomaniak, is one of the most generous free options for large files. You upload up to 50 GB, set an expiry, and share a link. Files are hosted in Switzerland.
Ferry takes the other route. A direct send goes from your device to theirs, so the question of where it is stored never comes up.
Side by side
| Feature | Ferry | SwissTransfer |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free to send and receive. Optional accounts have a free plan, and paid plans from $4 a month | Free |
| Account | Not needed to send or receive. Optional, for held files and a history | Not needed |
| Size limit | No cap. Limited by free space on the receiving device | 50 GB per transfer |
| Link lifetime | 24 hours for a direct send, up to 7 days for a held send | Up to 30 days |
| Where files go | Directly between the two devices, never stored. A held send from an account is stored sealed until it expires | Uploaded to Infomaniak's servers in Switzerland |
| Timing | Direct sends need both devices open. A held send lets the other person download later | Recipient can download later |
| No internet | Yes, on the same Wi-Fi or hotspot | No |
Choose Ferry when
- The files are over 50 GB.
- You do not want any copy of the files stored on a server.
- Both devices are on the same Wi-Fi, where a direct send never leaves the network.
- You want the transfer to continue after a dropped connection.
Choose SwissTransfer when
- The recipient will download days later and you have no Ferry account.
- You need a link that lasts up to 30 days.
- You prefer files stored in Switzerland.
Size and time
SwissTransfer allows up to 50 GB in one go and keeps files for up to 30 days. The free allowance is large and is the reason it appears in most lists of free options.
Ferry has no size cap for direct sends. Held sends follow your plan and last up to 7 days.
Privacy
SwissTransfer stores your files on its servers and offers optional password protection. Ferry seals every file in the browser before it leaves your device, and the key stays with you, so even a held file is unreadable to Ferry.
Where SwissTransfer is the better tool
A long expiry, no account and a very generous size allowance make it a good default when the recipient will not be around. The figures here come from Infomaniak's launch announcement, so check its current terms.
Common questions
Is SwissTransfer really free?
Infomaniak describes SwissTransfer as free, with no registration and no advertising, for up to 50 GB per transfer.
What is a SwissTransfer alternative with no size limit?
Ferry. A direct send has no size cap because the files travel from one device to the other and are never stored.
Does Ferry keep my files like SwissTransfer does?
Direct sends are never stored. Held sends from a Ferry account are stored sealed until they expire.
Sources
Details about SwissTransfer were checked in October 2026 and can change. SwissTransfer is a trademark of its owner, and Ferry is not affiliated with it.
Try it with the file you have now.
Open Ferry on both devices and connect them with a QR code or six digits. Direct sends need no account.