Tessil vs WeTransfer
A private, end-to-end encrypted alternative to WeTransfer. Your files are unreadable to us by design.
WeTransfer is the default way most people send big files: drop them in, share a link. It's convenient, but it isn't end-to-end encrypted - WeTransfer holds the keys, so the service (and anyone who compels it) can in principle access what you upload. The free tier also shows ads and runs analytics, and its terms drew criticism in 2025 over language that appeared to grant broad rights over uploaded content (later revised).
Tessil is built for the case where that matters. Files are encrypted in your browser with AES-GCM before they ever leave your device, and the decryption key lives in the share link's URL fragment - the part after the # that browsers never send to a server. We store only ciphertext we can't read.
It's open source (AGPL-3.0), hosted entirely in the EU, free, and needs no account to send.
| Feature | Tessil | WeTransfer |
|---|---|---|
| End-to-end encrypted | Yes | No |
| Key never reaches the server | Yes | No |
| Works without an account | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | Yes (AGPL-3.0) | No |
| Hosting / jurisdiction | EU (Germany + Netherlands) | EU (NL); owned by Bending Spoons |
| Ads & third-party tracking | None | Ads on the free tier |
| Price | Free | Free tier + paid plans |
| Link expiry & download limits | Yes | Yes |
| Password protection | Yes | Yes |
WeTransfer details last verified June 2026. Competitor features and pricing change often - check the provider's own site for current details.
The honest verdict
If you just want to lob a file at someone and privacy isn't a concern, WeTransfer is fine and frictionless. If you'd rather the service physically can't read what you send - for client work, documents, anything sensitive - Tessil gives you that without giving up the simple link-based flow.
Tessil's free tier caps transfers smaller than WeTransfer's, which is the honest trade for zero-knowledge encryption and no ads.
Frequently asked questions
Is WeTransfer end-to-end encrypted?
No. WeTransfer encrypts files in transit and at rest, but it controls the keys, so the service can access your files. Tessil encrypts in your browser and never receives the key.
Can Tessil send large files like WeTransfer?
Tessil supports multi-part uploads up to its current per-transfer limit. The cap is smaller than WeTransfer's paid plans, in exchange for true end-to-end encryption and no ads.
Do I need an account to use Tessil?
No. You can send anonymously. An optional free account adds a dashboard to manage the transfers you create - it doesn't change how files are encrypted.