Files.com vs. WeTransfer Pro

Overview of Files.com

Files.com is a U.S-based cloud-native Managed File Transfer (MFT), automation, and integration platform that enables organizations to securely store, transfer, and share files between users, teams, and organizations. MFT technology provides the secure transfer of data efficiently and reliably compared to insecure technologies such as FTP and HTTP. Files.com provides a cloud-centric approach to file-based automations and integrations while emphasizing security, compliance, and data residency for business-critical file transfers and exchanges.

Files.com is primarily designed for business-critical MFT workloads. And it has been providing these services to enterprise customers for over 10 years now, servicing 6500+ global customers across key industries like healthcare, finance, media, technology, and more. Files.com acts as both a client and a server for SFTP, FTP, and Applicability Statement 2 (AS2) protocols. This allows you to easily connect to any partner, customer, or system without compromising security.

Some of its features and capabilities include but are not limited: 

• Full custom domains, with custom SSL certificates and dedicated IP address
• Real-time and scheduled sync integrations with third-party storage services such as Amazon S3, Azure, Google Cloud, SharePoint, Box, Dropbox, and more.
• Bi-directional FTP/SFTP—which means Files.com can act as an FTP/SFTP client in addition to a server, enabling complex workflows.
• Out-of-the-box integration support for various third-party services and technologies
• Native apps for high-performance internal transfers.

Files.com offers a free seven-day trial with full access to the entire platform, including all integrations, automations, protocols, and APIs. When you’re ready to buy, your trial environment will seamlessly convert into your paid environment.

Overview of WeTransfer Pro

WeTransfer is an easy-to-use cloud-based file transfer service that lets you send and share files both small and large over the internet. It is ideal for anyone who wants to transfer files, especially large ones, quickly without having to go through the usual account sign-up process. WeTransfer has a dual revenue model, split between advertising and premium subscriptions. based on this model, WeTransfer displays full-screen advertisements while transferring files.

You can send a file using a transfer link or via email transfer (the default method). The process of file transfer via email is pretty much easy. All you need to do is upload your files, enter your email address, the email of the recipient, and the WeTransfer verification code, and your files will be sent. The recipient will receive an email message with a link that will allow them to download the files you’ve sent. The WeTransfer platform keeps track of the files you shared with others and the ones shared with you. You can view information such as the file’s expiration date, whether it has been downloaded, or if the file was forwarded to others.

WeTransfer Pro comes with two mobile apps: Collect and Paste. 

• WeTransfer Collect The WeTransfer’s Collect app allows you to organize all of your files and ideas, and save media such as photos, playlists, or links into beautiful buckets of content—called boards. You can create boards to organize the content and revisit them for inspiration. Collect allows you to share good things using links. You can share boards with friends or teams for viewing and collaborating. Collect is available on mobile devices and desktop computers.
• WeTransfer Paste WeTransfer’s Paste app allows you to create professional and aesthetically pleasing decks with slides for presentations and project management purposes. Paste provides simple ways to insert content into your slides, format them, and even embed the final presentation on web platforms like Wix, Weebly, and others. Paste is available for iPhone, iPad, and desktop.

Files.com vs. WeTransfer Pro: How They Compare

Installation and Setup

Files.com is a SaaS-based MFT application, which means there are no installation hassles other than the usual sign-up process using an internet-connected device with a supported browser. Once the sign-up process is completed, your account will be activated instantly, and you can dive in and start exploring.

The admin portal makes onboarding easy and allows you to email invitations to new users. During this process, you can add users to groups with global share settings or define individual share access permissions. Desktop apps are available for Windows and macOS, and after users log into their account, it creates a mapped drive for swift access to shared cloud folders. Desktop apps extend your Windows or Mac devices with a Files.com drive, so you can open and save files in any application. A personal web portal provides access to private and shared folders, with options to upload and download files and folders.

Although Files.com is easy to use, WeTransfer is even much easier. There are no installation hassles, and you don’t have to register or set up an account, or even give out your email address to use the service. Having the option to use WeTransfer without being forced to create an account is an incredibly easy way to reliably and quickly send large files to friends and colleagues. However, when logged in, you have extra features, such as the ability to track downloads, store files, save contacts, brand download pages, and set file passwords and expiry dates. WeTransfer can be accessed via a web browser and also comes with mobile apps such as Paste and Collect. Installing Collect from the App Store or Google Play is straightforward, and you can start using it immediately. WeTransfer is also available as a Chrome add-on, which makes accessibility even much easier.

Cloud Storage and Backup

Files.com isn’t designed for online storage and backup, but it performs this function indirectly. It is primarily a cloud-based MFT application, which focuses on the secure transfer of files. This also implies that the huge amount of file data that passes through the Files.com network for file transfers is also securely stored on their cloud storage servers. Uploading files, copying files, creating, or updating new versions all contribute to addition in storage usage. In addition, Files.com also allows you to schedule sync integrations with 3rd party storage services such as Amazon S3, Azure, Google Cloud, SharePoint, Box, Dropbox, and more.

WeTransfer is similar to Files.com in that it is not primarily designed for online storage and backup, Nonetheless, it does perform this role by nature of its function. The huge amount of files that pass through the WeTransfer network for transfers is also securely stored on their storage servers. WeTransfer Pro allows up to 1 TB of storage per person, and the Premium plan supports unlimited storage. WeTransfer also provides cloud storage for photos, slides, and other creative content via apps such as Collect and Paste. Collect, for instance, is made for quickly storing and accessing inspiring content. And these contents are kept in separate storage from the WeTransfer web content.

Collaboration and Sharing

The real power of Files.com is made manifest when it comes to business-critical Managed File Transfer workloads, Content Collaboration, and File Sharing. Some Files.com customers deploy the service to their entire organization, unifying MFT and File Sharing.  Others leverage the built-in integrations with SharePoint, Box, Dropbox, OneDrive, Google Drive, and others to build workflows and automations around content stored in another platform. Files.com allows you to share individual files, groups of files, or entire folders via a unique secure link that functions as a bearer key. Once the link is generated, you can send it to the chosen recipient via email, chat, or any other method.

One unique feature that makes Files.com stand out among the rest is the share link inbox, which is designed for receiving files uploaded by anonymous users from anywhere in the world. Imagine the simplicity of providing a hyperlink in an email or on your organization’s website for anyone needing to upload documents such as invoices, receipts, legal documents, reports, and more. All these are designed and executed in a way that does not compromise the security of other files or your site as a whole.

The WeTransfer approach is geared towards sending and sharing large files. There are two ways to send and share files in WeTransfer. The first option is to create a download link, and anyone with this link will be able to download these files, which are only available for seven days on the free version. The second way is by sending a download link via email. WeTransfer has simplified the entire experience and made it so easy to use that even non-tech-savvy users can easily figure it out. In terms of collaboration, the WeTransfer business model isn’t cut out for that. Rather, its simplicity is tailored to users more interested in file transfer than collaboration.

Integrations and Extensions

Files.com does not intend to replace your existing cloud file-sharing and collaboration solutions, rather, it wants to work with them. This is why it comes with out-of-the-box integrations with all key cloud providers such as Microsoft (Azure, SharePoint, OneDrive, Active Directory & Office), AWS (S3 & SNS), Google (Cloud & Drive), Box, Dropbox, Zapier, and dozens of others. Developers can also leverage Files.com native SDKs, API, and CLI tools to build custom integrations and connect to any folder located almost anywhere. and extend the capabilities of the application.

Both in-built and third-party app integration with WeTransfer is almost non-existent. But that’s understandable going by its business model. WeTransfer’s first third-party integration was with Slack, and this was designed to allow users to share large files in and out of the app, without interrupting workflow. WeTransfer used to have a public API that allows users to create transfer links and share files. But as of May 2022, WeTransfer’s Public API has been retired and therefore no longer available.

Security and Privacy

Files.com is loaded with lots of security features to ensure the confidentiality and integrity of data. The security features include encryption for data-at-rest and data-in-transit, four types of two-factor authentication, nine enterprise identity (SSO) integrations, and support for customer-managed GPG keys, SSH keys, and SSL certificates, built-in integrations with Yubikey, FIDO/U2F, Google Authenticator, Duo, Authy, and SMS. Highly configurable security settings include password policies, session policies, 2FA policies, and brute force rules. Files.com has servers across the globe and provides the option to configure the geographic region (and by extension, political jurisdiction) where your files will be stored to meet regulatory requirements.

WeTransfer and Files.com have some similar security features such as AES 256-bit encryption for data at rest and SSL/TLS encryption for data in transit, two-factor authentication (2FA), the ability to password-protect your files, and other related features. However, because WeTransfer does not implement zero-knowledge security, which means that it can scan and access your uploaded files, the company says it will do so only if it thinks you’re breaking the law or its rules. If privacy is a concern during file transfers, you may consider encrypting your data before uploading to WeTransfer using our best third-party data encryption tool. This renders your data meaningless to any prying eyes. We also recommend using a VPN service to mask your location. For more on this please check out our best VPN services.

Licensing and Price Plans

Files.com offers affordable pricing options for businesses of all sizes. Its pricing plans are broken into Starter, Power, and Premier price plans as shown in the table below. Plan pricing is partially based on user count, which means that you must commit to a minimum number of users. Charges are based on one total monthly number called “Usage,” representing your total billable usage of the Files.com service. This “Usage” number is the sum of your “Storage Usage” and your “Transfer Usage.”

Table 1.0 | Files.com Price Plans

WeTransfer comes in three price tiers: Free, Pro, and Premium. The free plan allows individuals to send up to 2 GB of data free of charge, and the recipient can download a sent file within seven days of getting the shared file. For $10 a month or $120 a year, WeTransfer Pro allows users to send and receive up to 200 GB of data at one go, 1 TB of cloud storage per person, set a password and expiry dates for each file, customize the file deletion time and download link, and choose the files to remain available forever without getting deleted. There are no caps on Premium plans. This means no size limits on transfers and storage, but it comes at a higher cost ($10 per month).

Conclusion: Files.com vs WeTransfer Pro

In summary, Files.com and WeTransfer are somewhat similar but yet different from one another, so which one is the better product for you depends on what you want to do, what your business needs are, and the features you’re looking for from your file transfer service.

WeTransfer stands out as the easier to use of the two, even for a complete novice or non-tech-savvy user. If all you wish for is a quick and effortless way to transfer files, then WeTransfer is the better choice. However, if you are looking for a platform that provides business-critical managed file transfer workloads, robust content collaboration, file sharing, and out-of-the-box integrations, Files.com is the way to go.