WeTransfer works by uploading your files to its servers so a recipient can download them from a link later. Beamaroo works differently: it opens a direct, encrypted connection between the two browsers and beams the file straight across, so nothing is ever uploaded to or stored on a server. That trade-off cuts both ways, and this page lays it out honestly so you can pick the right tool for the send in front of you.
Beamaroo vs WeTransfer
An honest, side-by-side look. Where WeTransfer wins, we say so.
| Feature | Beamaroo | WeTransfer |
|---|---|---|
| Price to send large files | Free, no tiers or transfer caps | Free tier capped at 3 GB total per rolling 30 days (or 10 transfers); paid from approx US$6.99/mo |
| Files uploaded to a server | Never uploaded or stored — direct browser-to-browser; if a direct link is blocked, an encrypted relay forwards ciphertext it can't read | Yes — files are uploaded to and stored on WeTransfer's servers (AWS) |
| Encryption | End-to-end encrypted (DTLS); the server never sees file names or contents | Encrypted in transit (TLS) and at rest (AES-256), but WeTransfer holds the keys and can access files server-side |
| Delivery confirmation | Receiving device hash-checks every file and confirms back: Delivered, verified on their device | "Sent" means uploaded to the server, not confirmed received on the recipient's device |
| Recipient verification | One-time word code cryptographically verifies the connection; the channel burns after one wrong guess | Anyone with the download link can grab the file within the window |
| Account or install to send/receive | None — runs in any modern browser | None on the free tier for the basic web flow (plus optional iOS, Android and desktop apps) |
| Both devices online at the same time | Required — it is a live beam | Not required — store-and-forward, recipient downloads any time within the window |
| Very large multi-gigabyte transfers | Limited today — received files are held in the browser tab's memory (stream-to-disk planned) | Handles large files reliably: 3 GB per transfer free, up to 1 TB per transfer on Ultimate |
| Holding area / durable download link | No cloud holding area — the transfer is a one-time live session | Yes — files stay available for 3 days free (custom expiry on paid tiers) |
Most people searching for a WeTransfer alternative in 2026 are reacting to the same thing: the free plan got a lot tighter. After Bending Spoons acquired WeTransfer in July 2024, the free tier was restructured to a rolling 30-day quota — 10 transfers or 3 GB combined, whichever comes first — and link availability was cut from 7 days down to 3. Because that 3 GB is a combined cap, a single 3 GB send now uses up the whole month's allowance.
The other reason is privacy. WeTransfer's model is store-and-forward: your files land on its servers, and while they're encrypted in transit and at rest, WeTransfer holds the keys, so the files can technically be accessed server-side. Access is link-based too, which means anyone who gets the link can download the file. Beamaroo keeps your files off the server entirely — they go browser-to-browser over an end-to-end encrypted channel, so nothing is ever uploaded, stored, or readable by us; if a direct link is blocked, an encrypted relay forwards ciphertext it can't read.
And there's the question WeTransfer can't answer: did they actually get it? A WeTransfer "sent" only means "uploaded to our server". Beamaroo's receiving device hash-checks every file and sends the confirmation back to you — "Delivered, verified on their device" — which is why the boomerang: it comes back.
When WeTransfer is the better pick
WeTransfer is the better choice when the sender and recipient can't be online at the same moment. It's store-and-forward, so you upload once and the recipient collects the file any time within the window — even if they're asleep, offline when you send, or on a flaky connection. Beamaroo can't do that: it's a live beam that needs both devices online together, with no cloud holding area. WeTransfer is also the safer pick right now for very large multi-gigabyte files, because those land on servers rather than being held in a browser tab's memory — so until Beamaroo's stream-to-disk ships, reach for WeTransfer when you need a durable download link or a resumable server-hosted download.
Questions
Is Beamaroo a free WeTransfer alternative?
Yes. Beamaroo is free with no transfer caps or paid tiers, and no account or install to send or receive. WeTransfer's free tier limits you to 3 GB total per 30 days (or 10 transfers) with 3-day link expiry.
Does Beamaroo upload my files to a server like WeTransfer does?
No. Beamaroo sends files directly between the two browsers over an end-to-end encrypted connection, so they're never uploaded to or stored on a server. WeTransfer uploads your files to its servers so recipients can download them from a link.
Is Beamaroo more private than WeTransfer?
For the transfer itself, yes. Beamaroo is end-to-end encrypted (DTLS), so the server only introduces the two devices and never sees file names, contents, or your code words. WeTransfer encrypts files but holds the keys, so it can technically access them server-side, and anyone with the link can download.
How do I know the recipient actually got the file?
Beamaroo's receiving device hash-checks every file and returns a confirmation to you — "Delivered, verified on their device". WeTransfer only tells you a file was uploaded, not that it was received and verified on the other end.
Can I send a file if the other person is offline?
Not with Beamaroo — it's a live beam, so both devices must be online at the same time, and there's no cloud holding area. If the recipient can't be online when you send, WeTransfer's store-and-forward model is the better fit: they collect the file later from a link.
Can Beamaroo handle very large multi-gigabyte files?
It handles ordinary transfers well, but very large multi-gigabyte sends are limited today because received files are held in the browser tab's memory (stream-to-disk is planned). For those, WeTransfer — which stores files on servers — is currently more reliable.
Do I need an account or app to use Beamaroo?
No. Beamaroo runs in any modern browser with no account and no install for either the sender or the receiver. You pair with a one-time word code like beam-7-otter-quartz, or scan a QR code.