MEGA is the cloud drive people pick for privacy: generous free storage and end-to-end encryption where only you hold the keys. StrongFolder is not storage at all — it sends files directly from your browser to someone else's. This StrongFolder vs MEGA comparison explains when each fits, using MEGA's own pricing and help pages, and when MEGA is simply the better tool.
How do StrongFolder and MEGA compare?
MEGA facts as of 5 November 2026, from MEGA's pricing page and help centre (sources at the end).
| StrongFolder | MEGA (free) | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | Direct transfer, browser to browser (WebRTC) | End-to-end encrypted cloud storage |
| Free storage | Not needed — files aren't stored | 20 GB |
| Download limit | None set by the service | Limited per IP over six hours for free and non-MEGA users |
| Account to send | No | MEGA account |
| Account to receive | No | No |
| Encryption | DTLS in transit | Zero-knowledge; keys held by the user |
| Folders for the recipient | Folder tree written directly, no ZIP | Browser: ZIP; desktop app: folder tree |
| Password or expiry on links | Link works while you share | Paid plans |
| Files stored on a server | Never (metadata only) | Yes, until you delete them |
| Sender online during download | Yes | No |
| Upload wait before sharing | None | Full upload first |
| Ways to use | Web app, Chrome extension | Web, desktop and mobile apps |
What is the main difference between StrongFolder and MEGA?
Where the files live while the recipient downloads.
With MEGA you upload to your cloud drive, create a link and send it. The files stay in MEGA until you delete them, so the recipient can download next week and you can be offline. That is storage — MEGA's pricing page lists automatic backups, file versioning and a rubbish bin even on the free plan.
With StrongFolder nothing is uploaded. You choose files or a folder and send the link; when the recipient opens it, their browser connects to yours. 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. The link works while the sender keeps sharing. When the sender clicks Stop Sharing or closes the tab, the files are no longer available.
The full trade-off is in P2P vs cloud file transfer.
What is MEGA's transfer quota and why does it stop downloads?
MEGA's help centre explains that transfer is the data you download or stream from MEGA. For free accounts and people without an account, the limit depends on location and current network load, and is calculated from data downloaded to your IP address over the past six hours. When it's reached you can wait for it to reset or upgrade.
Two details matter. Quota applies to a file only after it has been transferred in full more than 10 times, so most personal use doesn't hit it. And a paid user can share part of their quota with people downloading from their links.
StrongFolder has no download quota: the recipient downloads from your device, not from a server, so the only limits are disk space, connection speed and time online. See limits.
Which is better for sending a large file?
MEGA, if the file fits in your 20 GB and the recipient downloads later. Note MEGA's browser notes: Chromium browsers write files of any size straight to disk, while Firefox buffers in memory (up to 6 GB on 64-bit systems) and Safari has a 2 GB limit. The desktop app avoids these.
StrongFolder, if the file is bigger than your free storage or the recipient is waiting now. There is no upload step, so the download starts at once. A 100 GB file over a 50 Mbit/s upload takes about 4.5 hours — fine overnight if the computer stays awake. More in how to send a 100 GB file free.
Free · in your browser · no sign-up
Which is better for sending a folder?
MEGA keeps folders in the cloud with their structure, and you can upload a folder tree in Chrome, Edge or Opera. Downloading is the catch: MEGA's help centre says no browser currently supports creating downloaded sub-folders, so a folder comes down as a ZIP — or with the MEGA desktop app.
StrongFolder uses the same browser technology the other way round. Folders are sent as folders: subfolders and file names are kept, nothing is zipped. 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. No archive to extract, no app on the recipient's side. See how to send a folder without zipping.
Which is more private?
They protect different things.
MEGA encrypts files before they leave your device, says only you hold the keys, and stores them encrypted. A shared link includes the decryption key; MEGA suggests sending the key separately over a protected channel for the most secure sharing.
StrongFolder doesn't store files at all. Files are never uploaded to or stored on a StrongFolder 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. See security and secure file sharing.
If you need files kept for months under keys only you hold, MEGA is designed for that.
What about Transfer.it, MEGA's transfer site?
Transfer.it is MEGA's answer to WeTransfer. Its FAQ says you need no account to send or receive, there are no size limits, transfers expire after 90 days by default, and you can set a password and a custom expiry. It also says Transfer.it uses managed encryption keys and pre-zipped files for faster downloads — a different model from MEGA's user-held keys. It's a strong choice for sending big files and going offline; compare it in free file transfer sites.
When is MEGA the better choice?
Choose MEGA when:
- you need storage, not just a send — backups, sync between devices, file versions;
- the recipient downloads later, or many people download over weeks;
- you want stored files end-to-end encrypted with keys only you hold;
- you want password-protected or expiring links (on MEGA's paid plans);
- you can't stay online while the recipient downloads.
When is StrongFolder the better choice?
Choose StrongFolder when:
- the files are bigger than your free storage or you don't want to fill it;
- a folder must arrive as a folder in the browser, without a ZIP or an app;
- you'd rather not leave a copy of the files on any server;
- nobody wants an account — No account needed to send or receive. Signing in with Google is optional and keeps a list of your transfers.
- several people need the files now — One link can be opened by several recipients; each downloads directly from the sender.
Many people use both: MEGA for storage, StrongFolder for one-off big sends. For another storage comparison, see StrongFolder vs Google Drive.
Sources
Checked on 5 November 2026: MEGA pricing · MEGA: transfer quota · MEGA: browser download limitations · MEGA: sharing with someone without an account · Transfer.it FAQ