A Dropbox alternative for sending and collecting large files

Dropbox is one of the best-known ways to move files around, and for good reason: it syncs reliably, keeps originals and works on every device. But many people reach for it only to send one big folder, or to collect files from a group once, and then find themselves out of free storage or explaining to others how to use it. Here is an honest look at when Dropbox is the right choice and when a simpler, link-first tool fits better.

What Dropbox is built for

Dropbox is a cloud drive. Its strengths show when you use it every day:

• Your files stay in sync between your computer, phone and the web.
• A team shares folders it works on together over months.
• You want version history and a long-term home for your documents.

If that is you, keep Dropbox. Nothing here replaces a good sync service.

Where it feels heavy

• Sending once. To send a large folder you upload it into your Dropbox, then share a link. The files stay in your storage until you remember to delete them.
• Small free storage. The free plan holds 2 GB. A handful of 4K videos and it is full, and paid plans are priced for people who need a full cloud drive.
• Collecting from a crowd. File requests let people send you files without an account, which is useful. But everything arrives into a private folder: the guests cannot see each other’s photos, and it all counts against your space.

A link-first alternative

With Just Send Files there is no drive to manage. You add your files and the link is ready. Every link is a Room, and a Room can stay a simple transfer or become a shared space:

• As a transfer: send the link, the recipient downloads one file or everything, no account. It is gone after its expiry, so nothing piles up.
• As a shared Room: switch on uploads in the Room’s Settings, and a whole group adds photos and videos through the same link or QR code. Everyone sees the same collection, and you can require approval for new files.

Files are never compressed or converted. The free plan sends up to 10 GB a month; paid plans go much further when you need them.

Quick comparison

• Everyday file sync across devices: Dropbox.
• Sending a big folder once: a link-first transfer, such as a Room or our WeTransfer alternative.
• A group sharing an event’s photos with each other: a shared Room, so everyone uploads and downloads in one place.
• Long-term archive: your cloud drive. Save the whole Room with Download all and keep it wherever you like.