Secure transfer · Comparison
PasteOkay vs WeTransfer: big files or a small private text
WeTransfer moves gigabytes. PasteOkay moves a paragraph. Using a file service for a password is like sending a postcard in a shipping crate.
Updated · 4 min read · PasteOkay is our own product, so read this as a vendor comparison. Features were checked in October 2026.
In short
- Choose PasteOkay when the content is text and you want a password, an expiry and no download step.
- Choose WeTransfer when the deliverable is a large file or a folder of assets.
- Features and prices were checked in October 2026; verify the current details with each provider.
PasteOkay
Choose PasteOkay when the content is text and you want a password, an expiry and no download step.
- No download, no archive and no file preview
- Password and browser encryption for text
- A page that works on any phone
WeTransfer
Choose WeTransfer when the deliverable is a large file or a folder of assets.
- Large file transfers with a simple link
- No account needed for a basic transfer
- Familiar interface for clients and creatives
Side by side
| Capability | PasteOkay | WeTransfer |
|---|---|---|
| Account required | No | Optional |
| Primary content | Text and code | Large files and folders |
| Client-side encryption | Yes | No in the standard flow |
| Password protection | Yes | Available on paid plans |
| Expiry control | 10 minutes to 30 days | Fixed free-tier window |
| Download required | No | Yes |
| Text editor | Yes | Limited message field |
| Price | Free, PRO $5 once | Free tier, paid plans |
A dash means the feature is not offered in the standard flow. Plans and limits change; verify the current details with each provider before relying on them.
A transfer service is about payload size
WeTransfer exists because email attachments are a bad way to send a video or a design package. The product handles large files, gives the recipient a download page and removes the transfer after a set window. For a folder of images, it is the right tool.
It is not designed for a short secret. The recipient still has to download something, the message field is not a secure note and the free tier's retention is set by the service.
Text should stay text
PasteOkay renders the content directly. There is no archive to open, no preview to trust and no download folder to clean up. The password is derived in the browser, and the paste can be encrypted before it leaves the device.
That makes PasteOkay a better fit for a line of configuration, a recovery code or a private note that accompanies a file sent elsewhere.
The sensible combination
Send the assets with WeTransfer and the access details with PasteOkay. Keep the two links separate and give the paste a shorter lifetime than the transfer. When the paste expires, the file link alone is not enough to get in.
Which one should you choose?
Choose PasteOkay if
- The content is text and should stay text
- You need a password or encryption
- You want the link to expire on a precise schedule
Choose WeTransfer if
- You need to send large files or folders
- The recipient expects a download page
- The content is not a secret
Frequently asked questions
Does WeTransfer encrypt files in the browser?
The standard free flow is a hosted transfer, not a zero-knowledge encrypted paste. For sensitive files, encrypt them before uploading or use a service designed for end-to-end encrypted transfer.
Can I send text with WeTransfer?
There is a message field, but it is not a paste editor with a password, expiry and code highlighting. PasteOkay is designed for that job.
Which service is cheaper for a short note?
PasteOkay. A basic paste is free and does not require an account. WeTransfer's free tier is built around file transfers and has its own limits.
How long do WeTransfer links last?
The free-tier retention is set by WeTransfer and can change. PasteOkay lets the sender choose from ten minutes to thirty days, with a never option.
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No account. Choose a lifetime, add a password if you need one, and encrypt in your browser when the text should never reach the server in readable form.