If you just need to get a big file from A to B, WeTransfer is honestly fine. But if the file needs a signed agreement before anyone touches it, a viewer that blocks downloads, or EU-only storage that deletes itself, that is exactly the gap OONOO was built for. Here is an honest look at both, so you can pick the right tool for the job.
What WeTransfer does well
WeTransfer made file sending simple, and it deserves credit for that. Drag in a file, type an email address, done. The free plan currently covers up to 10 transfers (or 3 GB) in any rolling 30 day window, and free transfers stay live for a few days. Paid plans (Starter and Ultimate) raise those limits and run from roughly $7 to $23 per month. Prices checked July 2026.
For casual sending between colleagues, holiday photos, or files where nothing is at stake, that is all you need.
Where the two part ways
The difference shows up the moment the file itself has value. A logo package for a client who has not paid yet. A manuscript going to a publisher. A rough cut of a video that must not leak. WeTransfer delivers the file, but it cannot attach any conditions to that delivery.
OONOO treats the handover as the important part:
- Agreement before access. With With Agreement transfers, the recipient signs an NDA, copyright licence, or one of ten other agreement types before the download button appears. The signature is timestamped and legally valid across the EU.
- View-only sharing. View Only renders your file in the browser. The recipient can look, but there is no download to their device. Handy for portfolios, drafts, and anything you want back.
- Know who is on the other end. For high-stakes transfers you can add ID verification (€5.00), which checks the recipient's government ID against the name on the agreement before the file opens.
- Pay per send, not per month. No subscription and no account needed. You pay a few euros for the transfer you actually send. Current rates are on the pricing page.
Side by side
| WeTransfer | OONOO | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Free tier, then $7 to $23 per month | Pay per send, no subscription |
| Account required to send | Yes on paid plans | No |
| Max file size | 3 GB free, more on paid plans | 2 GB, up to 8 files per transfer |
| Signed agreement before download | No | Yes, 10 agreement types |
| View-only (no download possible) | No | Yes |
| Recipient ID verification | No | Optional, €5.00 add-on |
| Link expiry | A few days on free, longer on paid | You choose: 24h to 1 month |
| Download limit per transfer | No | You choose: 1 to 8 |
| Data location | Global infrastructure | EU servers (Netherlands), GDPR native |
| Files auto-deleted | After expiry | Always, after the period you set |
Prices and limits checked July 2026. Both change over time, so check each provider's pricing page before deciding.
What it costs in practice
WeTransfer's model rewards constant senders: one flat fee, send as much as you like. OONOO's model rewards occasional senders: if you deliver client work a few times a month, you pay only for those sends and nothing in the quiet months. Frequent senders can use credit packs, and teams that send a lot can look at the Team plan (€24 per month for 30 pooled transfers, plus €12 per extra seat).
So which one?
Pick WeTransfer if you send lots of files where nothing needs protecting and a monthly subscription pays for itself.
Pick OONOO if your files are deliverables: work someone should sign for, preview without keeping, or receive under NDA. Also if you want your files on EU servers with a firm delete date, or you simply refuse to add yet another subscription for something you do twice a month.
Plenty of freelancers use both. WeTransfer for the casual stuff, OONOO when the file is the product. If you often need signatures more than file delivery, also see our OONOO vs DocuSign comparison, and if EU data rules drove you here, start with the GDPR file transfer guide.
Frequently asked questions
Is OONOO a WeTransfer alternative with contracts?
Yes. OONOO sends encrypted files like WeTransfer does, but it can attach a legally binding agreement (NDA, copyright licence, and more) that the recipient must sign before they can download the file.
Do I need an account to send files with OONOO?
No. You upload, configure the transfer, pay per send, and the recipient gets the link by email. An account is only needed for the Pro dashboard and team features.
How big can an OONOO transfer be?
Up to 2 GB per transfer, with up to 8 files in a single send. All file types are supported.
Can the recipient view a file without being able to download it?
Yes. View Only transfers render the file in a browser viewer with no download option. That is something WeTransfer does not offer.
Is OONOO cheaper than WeTransfer?
It depends on how often you send. OONOO has no subscription, so occasional senders usually pay less. If you send files daily, a WeTransfer subscription or an OONOO Team plan will serve you better than single sends.