Alternatives to WhatsApp for sending large files without losing quality

If you often send photos, videos, or documents from your mobile phone, you've probably encountered the typical warning more than once. file too large or loss of qualityWhatsApp has greatly improved its limits, but it's still not the best option when the content is several gigabytes in size or you need it to arrive in original quality.

The good news is that today there are plenty of alternatives for Send large uncompressed files securely and relatively easilyFrom both mobile and computer, there are solutions for almost any situation. From services like WeTransfer to cloud storage, advanced messaging apps, and P2P tools, there's a guide to these options. Alternatives to WhatsApp for sending large files without losing quality.

Why WhatsApp isn't always suitable for sending large files

WhatsApp is incredibly convenient, it's on every phone and it's more than adequate for everyday use, but when we talk about large files, problems arise with its size limits, formats, and automatic compression.

The service allows you to send videos as a standard video file up to about 100 MB and 720p resolutionThis means that almost any 1080p or 4K recording of a few minutes may already produce errors or be severely cropped.

If you use the trick of sending it as a document, the limit goes up to 2 GB per fileMuch better, but it still falls short if you work with professional material, editing projects, backups, or very long high-quality videos.

Furthermore, WhatsApp only supports a few common video formats such as .mp4, .avi, .mov or 3GPIt also has problems with modern codecs like H.265 or some 4K profiles, so sometimes you have to convert the file before sending it.

Another tricky point is the connection: to transfer large clips you need good coverage or stable WiFiBecause any cut or drop can ruin the shipment and force you to repeat the process from scratch.

Trick to send files via WhatsApp without losing too much quality

Even with all its limitations, there is a method to make WhatsApp compress less: send photos and videos as “Document” and not as a normal chat multimedia file.

On Android, simply open the conversation, tap the attach icon, and select “Document” instead of “Gallery”Then you select the file from the file manager. On iPhone the process is similar, although sometimes you need to move the photos or videos to a folder accessible from the file explorer first.

With this trick, what is sent is the original file with its full resolution and sizeAnd not a cut-down version. However, you'll still be limited to a maximum of 2 GB per file and will be heavily dependent on your internet connection at the time.

Services like WeTransfer and Smash: send giant files via link

If you frequently send large amounts of content to clients, friends, or colleagues, link transfer services are the best option. More convenient and universal alternatives to WhatsApp.

WeTransfer: the classic for files up to 2 GB

WeTransfer has been the go-to solution for sending large files quickly and easily for years. With the free version you can Upload up to 2 GB per transfer without losing qualityWhether it's photos, videos, design documents, or whatever you want.

It works simply: you go to the website, enter your email and the recipient's email, or generate a Download link that can be shared by any app (WhatsApp, Telegram, email, social networks, etc.) and upload the files.

Once the upload is complete, the recipient receives a message with a link that remains active for 7 days, more than a reasonable amount of time to download the content to your preferred device.

Smash: shipping with no size limit and free shipping

If 2 GB isn't enough for you, Smash comes into play as one of the Best alternatives to WeTransfer for sending really large filesIts main appeal is that the free version does not impose a strict size limit per transfer.

With Smash you can climb files of 20, 50 or even more than 100 GB Free of charge, which is very useful if you work with high-resolution video, huge photo shoots, RAW files, or heavy design projects.

The process is very similar: you drag and drop what you want to send on the website or in their apps, add your email and the recipient's email, and the service generates a Secure transfer, usually available in 7 to 14 days according to the configuration.

In addition, Smash offers interesting extras, even for free: you can Protect transfers with a password, customize links, and allow previews of certain files before downloading. It also has apps for iOS, Android, and Mac, and an API for integrating it into professional workflows.

The only downside to using Smash without a paid plan is that, with very large files, the upload speed can get stuck in a sort of... queue where premium users have priorityEven so, the transfer will eventually be completed; it may just take a little longer.

Messaging apps: Telegram and other more flexible systems

Modern messaging apps have evolved a lot and in some cases are more flexible than WhatsApp for sending uncompressed filesespecially if you use them wisely.

Telegram: Send as a file and use channels as a personal cloud.

Telegram is one of the most versatile tools because, in addition to chat, it functions as a kind of unlimited cloud storage for your own filesThat makes it a very powerful alternative to WhatsApp when you want to preserve quality.

When you're going to send photos or videos, instead of sending them as normal multimedia, select the option “Send as file”This way the content arrives with its original resolution and size, without extra compression.

You can even create a private channel or chat with yourself and use it as a permanent "homemade WeTransfer".You can upload whatever you want there and share the link only with those who need to access it. The advantage is that, unlike some web services, these links don't expire by default.

Keep in mind, however, that Telegram's compression when you send photos as a normal image can be even more aggressive than WhatsApp's, hence the importance of always using the archive option. maintain the highest possible quality.

Other messaging options: Signal and similar

There are other secure messaging apps like Signal that also allow this. Share files with high quality and end-to-end encryptionbut in general they tend to have similar or lower size limits of 2 GB.

For professional use where you need 4K clips or footage for editing, these apps are fine for occasional use, but they rarely replace a professional video recorder. specialized cloud transfer service.

Google Photos and similar services: ideal for shared albums

When what you mainly share are personal photos and videos, vacations, work sessions, or visual content, Google Photos remains a A very powerful, multi-platform, and easy-to-use option.

The application allows you to create shared albums where multiple users can view, comment on, and download the content with the quality you have configured in the backup (Original or with some compression).

It's available on Android, iOS, and web, so you can upload from your mobile device and someone else can download from their computer without any problems. This makes it perfect for Share many photos and videos at once without overloading WhatsApp.

It used to offer unlimited storage, now the space is linked to your Google account, but it still provides some. a reasonable amount of free gigabytes, expandable for a fairly low monthly cost.

Cloud apps: Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive, MEGA, iCloud…

If you want something more structured and permanent, traditional cloud storage remains the most solid form of store, organize, and share large files long-term.

Google Drive

Google Drive is probably the most widely used solution because It comes pre-installed on most Android phones and links to your Gmail account.It gives you 15 GB free to store documents, photos, videos and any file.

In addition, it allows you to create online documents, spreadsheets, and presentations that can be They save automatically while you work.This makes collaboration with clients or colleagues much easier.

To share large files, simply upload them and generate a access link with read, comment or edit permissionsOr you can invite specific people by email. It doesn't matter if the other person is on a mobile phone or a computer.

Dropbox

Dropbox It works similarly to Drive, but with some interesting extras for more professional environments. The free account offers some 2 GB of initial space, expandable through payment plans.

Among its features are tools such as Paper to create collaborative documents, HelloSign to sign contracts digitally or Dropbox Transfer, designed just for send large files at once without complicating your life.

It is very common among designers, photographers, and agencies because it allows Share entire folders with clients and see who has accessed what., something that goes beyond the typical one-off file transfer.

OneDrive

OneDrive is Microsoft's cloud storage service and integrates especially well with computers with Windows and with Outlook or Hotmail accounts

It comes standard on many PCs and tablets with Windows 10 and 11.

It allows you to save photos, Office documents, and any type of file, and easily share them via Links that you can then send via WhatsApp, email, or another appIt doesn't excel as much in creating its own documents, because that part falls to the Office suite, but it does stand out as a central repository.

MEGA and other services with large free storage space

MEGA became very popular in its day because it offered a good handful of free gigabytes, among the most generous on the market for new accounts, and strong data encryption.

If you need a lot of space for Upload and share very large files without paying upfront.It remains an option to consider, especially if you don't mind managing encrypted keys and links.

iCloud (Apple users)

If you use an iPhone, iPad, or Mac, iCloud is almost mandatory because It integrates seamlessly with the entire Apple ecosystemWith your Apple ID you receive 5 GB for free, although it's normal to upgrade your plan if you make a lot of backups.

With iCloud Drive you can upload documents and files to share them via link with other peopleeven if they don't have Apple devices. For photos and videos, the iCloud Photos option syncs the entire gallery across devices.

Direct transfers between devices: Bluetooth, NFC, AirDrop, Nearby, and Quick Share

When you have the other person physically close, there are systems built into mobile phones that allow send large files without going through the internet or using very fast local connections.

Bluetooth and NFC

Bluetooth is the old reliable: virtually any Android phone can do it. Send files to another person without needing data or WiFiSimply activate Bluetooth on both devices, pair, and share from the file manager.

The advantage is that there is no strict size limit, but the trade-off is the speed, which can be very low for videos or large folders.It's more of an emergency option than a system for heavy-duty use.

NFC, for its part, has been used in some implementations (like Android Beam back in the day) to initiate the transfer by bringing two mobile phones close together, but it is usually intended for small files because it requires very close contact and speed is not its strong suit.

Furthermore, neither Bluetooth nor NFC are useful for Send files directly between iPhone and Android in a standard way, which severely limits its use in mixed environments.

AirDrop (Apple) and Nearby Share / Quick Share (Android)

In the Apple ecosystem, AirDrop is the fastest and easiest way to transfer photos, videos, and documents between iPhone, iPad, and Mac wireless and with good speed.

Simply select the file in your gallery or Files app, tap Share, and choose AirDrop. The other device should then be able to access it. be nearby and have visibility enabledThe transfer is done directly, maintaining the original quality.

On Android, Google developed Nearby Share (and it also exists on some manufacturers' platforms). Quick Share or similar solutions) to do something similar: they recognize nearby devices and allow content sharing without relying so much on the cloud.

Quick Share, very popular on Samsung Galaxy devices, stands out for Send files directly between mobile devices or between mobile and PC while maintaining original quality.provided both devices are compatible and relatively close.

Specific apps for sending large files between mobile, PC and other devices

In addition to cloud and web services, there are applications dedicated to file sharing that focus on the speed, cross-platform support and ease of use, many of them perfect for 1080p, 4K and large volumes of data.

AirDroid Personal

AirDroid Personal is designed to connect your mobile phone to your PC or other devices wirelessly, allowing Send and receive files of any size and format without too many complications.

Once you install the app on your mobile device and use its web or desktop version, you can drag and drop files between devices without having to worry about size limits. It also offers extras such as remote access, a file manager, and backups.

Zapya, Xender and SHAREit

Zapya Xender and SHAREit are well-known solutions for Fast P2P transfers between mobiles, tablets and computers using WiFi Direct or other methods that do not rely so heavily on the data network.

With these apps you can send fairly large files in a matter of seconds between nearby devices, even working between different platforms (for example, from Android to iOS or from mobile to PC).

Many of them include additional features such as cloning a phone when you get a new one, play music or video, or share content with multiple devices at once.

Send Anywhere

Send Anywhere combines the best of several worlds: it allows you to send any type of file while It maintains the original quality and offers several ways to share, from links to QR codes or direct connections.

One of its advantages is that you can Send large files via web or app without having to register.and that it has WiFi Direct options so as not to depend on the mobile network.

It's cross-platform, which makes it very interesting if you work with Android, iOS, Windows and macOS simultaneously and you want a relatively unified solution.

Slack and other collaborative tools

Slack isn't a file transfer app per se, but it's used for that purpose in many teams. Share documents, presentations, and videos directly in work channelswhere they then become accessible and searchable.

On these types of platforms, the messages themselves provide context and allow comment on the file, request changes, and centralize communication in one place, which can be more practical than distributing individual links via WhatsApp.

Lesser-known but very useful tools: Webwormhole, JustBeamIt, Ydray, SwissTransfer, FilePizza…

Beyond the big names, there are some very interesting and powerful services for Send large files with minimal friction and a high level of privacy., ideal if you don't want your data to be sitting on a server for days.

Webwormhole

Webwormhole allows you to send large files from your browser, generating a temporary “tunnel” between sender and receiverTo access, the recipient uses a code or a QR code that the website itself creates automatically.

The idea is that the transfer will be direct and with added securitybecause the files are not stored permanently on a traditional server.

JustBeamIt

JustBeamIt is another P2P tool that stands out because send the files directly from your computer to the recipient's computer., without needing to upload them to an intermediate server beforehand.

You simply drag the files to the webpage, get a link, and when the other person opens it, the The download starts instantly while you remain connectedThis can double the effective speed compared to traditional services.

Ydray and SwissTransfer

Ydray offers the possibility of Send files up to 10 GB for free, without having to create an account, with unlimited downloads and a strong focus on data privacy.

SwissTransfer, for its part, allows Transfers of up to 50 GB per shipment, valid for 30 daysIt also doesn't require registration, which positions it as a powerful option for large projects where WeTransfer falls short.

FileTransfer.io, FilePizza and other alternatives

FileTransfer.io, Jumpshare, Securely Send, and FilePizza are examples of complementary services that cover specific file transfer needs with different philosophies (more storage, more privacy, P2P focus, etc.).

FilePizza, for example, allows you to make private transfers directly from your browser without storing or reading your files on central serversIdeal if you're very concerned about confidentiality.

LocalSend and other local network solutions

When the sender and receiver are connected to the same WiFi network, it makes sense to use tools like LocalSend for moving files quickly without using the internet.

LocalSend is a free, open-source app available on multiple platforms (mobile and desktop) that allows send files, photos and videos between devices on the same network with very few steps.

It works from Android to iOS, from PC to mobile, from tablet to computer, etc., and is especially useful in office or home environments where You want to transfer large files without worrying about size limits or uploading them to the cloud..

When does it make sense to use social media or email to share files?

In very specific situations you can resort to send files via social media or emailBut it's important to be aware of its limitations.

Platforms such as WhatsApp, Instagram or Messenger usually compress the photos and videos considerably.They prioritize speed and data consumption over quality, so they are not recommended for professional work.

Email, on the other hand, has very strict size limits (usually 25 MB per message maximum), so it's only useful for lightweight documents or a few optimized images.

Tips for making large file transfers fast and secure

Beyond the chosen tool, there are a number of best practices that help make the process of Sending large files is smoother and less problematic..

When using the network, try connecting to a Fast and stable WiFi, preferably 5 GHzEspecially if you're going to upload gigabytes and gigabytes. You'll avoid interruptions and won't use up your data allowance.

While the shipment is in progress, it is advisable Do not overload your mobile phone or computer with other demanding tasksbecause the system may prioritize resources for other apps and slow down the upload or even cause it to fail.

It is also advisable to temporarily disable automatic synchronizations (such as cloud backups or bulk downloads) that may competing for bandwidth in the background.

From a security standpoint, try to use services and apps trusted sources, downloaded only from official stores or developer websites, and keep antivirus updated in the equipment where you store the material.

If the content is highly sensitive, avoid sharing it on apps or in public spaces and Make sure the connection is encrypted and that you can control who accesses the links. and for how long.

With this whole range of tools and tricks, it is perfectly possible to send today 4K videos, high-resolution photos, or entire projects without being limited by WhatsApp.From services like WeTransfer or Smash for one-off giant transfers, to cloud services like Drive, Dropbox or MEGA for continuous work, to nearby solutions like AirDrop, Nearby or LocalSend for sharing on the fly when you're on the same network.