Filemail is one of the older large-file services: upload files, get a link or e-mail it, and the recipient downloads from Filemail's cloud. It also has desktop apps and business plans. StrongFolder takes the opposite approach and sends files directly from your browser without storing them. This StrongFolder vs Filemail comparison shows what that means for size limits, folders, privacy and convenience — and when Filemail is the better choice.
How do StrongFolder and Filemail compare?
Filemail free service as of 5 November 2026, from Filemail's own website and help center (sources at the end).
| StrongFolder | Filemail (free) | |
|---|---|---|
| How it works | Direct browser-to-browser (WebRTC, P2P) | Upload to Filemail's cloud, recipient downloads later |
| Free size limit | None set by the service | 5 GB per transfer |
| Transfers per day | No limit set by the service | Up to 2 in 24 hours |
| How long files are available | While you keep sharing | Up to 7 days, then deleted |
| Account to send | No | No (free Basic account optional) |
| Account to receive | No | No |
| Folders | Sent as folders, structure kept, no ZIP | Chrome or Opera, desktop app, or ZIP first |
| Files stored on a server | Never (metadata only) | Yes, until expiry |
| Sender online during download | Yes | No |
| Upload wait before sharing | None | Full upload first |
| Recipients and downloads | Several from one link; QR code | See current plan |
| Ways to use | Web app, Chrome extension | Website, desktop and mobile apps |
| Price | Free, no paid plans | Free service; paid plans |
Filemail's pages describe recipient and download limits differently from page to page, so we left them as "see current plan".
What is the main difference between StrongFolder and Filemail?
Where the files are while the recipient downloads.
With Filemail, you upload first. When the upload finishes, Filemail gives you a link or e-mails the recipients, and they download from Filemail's servers within seven days. The upside is real: once the upload is done, your computer can go to sleep.
With StrongFolder, nothing is uploaded first. You choose files or a folder, copy the link and send it. When the recipient opens it, their browser connects to yours and the data flows directly over an encrypted WebRTC connection. The sender's browser tab must stay open and online until the recipient finishes downloading — files come from the sender's device, not from a server.
Read more in P2P vs cloud file transfer.
Which is better for files larger than 5 GB?
Filemail's free service caps each transfer at 5 GB and allows two transfers in 24 hours. For more, Filemail sells paid plans with larger transfers — check its current plans.
StrongFolder has no storage to fill, so it sets no size limit and no daily count. The practical limits are the recipient's free disk space, your upload speed and how long both devices stay online. A 60 GB folder of drone footage over a 100 Mbit/s upload takes about 80 minutes. See limits and requirements and how to send large files.
Which is better for sending a folder?
Filemail's help center gives three options for folders: send from Chrome or Opera, use the Filemail Desktop app, or compress the folder into a ZIP, RAR or 7z archive and send that. It doesn't describe how the recipient's download is packaged in the browser.
StrongFolder sends a folder as a folder. The recipient picks a destination and the same subfolders and file names are written there, file by file — no archive to create, upload or extract. Saving a whole folder with its structure uses the File System Access API: Chrome, Edge, Opera and other Chromium browsers on a computer. Other browsers can download the files one by one or as a ZIP. See how to send a folder without zipping.
Which is more private?
Filemail stores your files in its cloud; its help center says shared files on the free service are stored for a maximum of 7 days, after which they are deleted.
StrongFolder never stores files on a server. To create the link, the service keeps transfer metadata: file and folder names, sizes and the number of files. WebRTC encrypts every data channel with DTLS, so the file stream is encrypted in transit on every connection. If a direct connection is impossible (strict corporate firewall, some mobile networks), the encrypted stream passes through a StrongFolder relay (TURN) server. The relay forwards the data and does not store it. We don't claim end-to-end encryption with your own key — DTLS protects the stream in transit. See security and secure file sharing.
When is Filemail the better choice?
Choose Filemail when:
- you can't stay online — upload, close the laptop, leave;
- the recipient will download later, within the next seven days;
- the files are under 5 GB and you send only a couple of transfers a day;
- you want a desktop app — Filemail says its desktop apps for Windows, Mac and Linux can resume interrupted transfers and use UDP transfer acceleration;
- you need business features from its paid plans, such as larger transfers and longer storage.
That is the honest trade-off of peer-to-peer: it can't replace "upload once, download whenever". If that's what you need, use Filemail or another cloud service from our list of WeTransfer alternatives.
When is StrongFolder the better choice?
Choose StrongFolder when:
- the transfer is bigger than 5 GB, or you need more than two transfers today;
- it's a folder that should arrive with its structure, without a ZIP;
- you'd rather not leave a copy on someone else's server;
- the recipient is waiting now — the download starts at once, with no upload wait;
- you don't want to install anything — it runs in the browser, or as a Chrome extension;
- several people need the same files — One link can be opened by several recipients; each downloads directly from the sender.
Keep your computer awake and the tab open until everyone finishes.
Free · in your browser · no sign-up
Is StrongFolder a good Filemail alternative?
For large, one-off transfers where both sides are online, yes: there's no 5 GB ceiling, no daily count and no upload wait. For "send it tonight, they'll grab it tomorrow", Filemail's cloud model is the better tool. Many people keep both — a cloud service for small sends on the go, StrongFolder for big files and folders. If you mainly move video, see how to send large video files.
How do I switch from Filemail to StrongFolder?
- Open strongfolder.com or click the StrongFolder Chrome extension.
- Choose files or a whole folder. Nothing is uploaded.
- Copy the link or show the QR code and send it.
- Keep the tab open while the recipient downloads; click Stop Sharing when done.
The recipient needs only the link and a modern browser — no account and no app. See how it works and why the sender stays online.
Summary
Filemail is a cloud transfer service: convenient when you need to send and go offline, limited on the free service to 5 GB per transfer, two transfers a day and seven days of storage. StrongFolder is a direct pipe: no size limit or daily count set by the service, folders kept as folders, nothing stored — as long as your tab stays open.
Sources
Checked on 5 November 2026: Filemail help center: free file sharing service · Filemail Basic plan · Filemail: large file transfer · Filemail help center: how do I send folders?