PhotonFile Relay
Live delivery
Best when both sides are online and the goal is delivery, not retention. Relay moves file data live through encrypted memory and operates ephemerally by default.
A WeTransfer alternative for teams that want more control after upload
WeTransfer is strongest when the job is a branded stored transfer, preview-first client delivery, or a hosted link someone downloads later. PhotonFile is stronger when the file should move live, remain in encrypted storage, or be received into a controlled vault for upload-now access-later workflows.
Photon Vault
Persistent encrypted storage
Best when files need to remain available after upload, when you need secure intake, or when upload now and access later is the real workflow.
WeTransfer
Hosted transfer workflow
Best when the workflow is a hosted transfer link, branded presentation, and later download from a retained transfer page.
Compare the workflow you actually need
| What you need | Better fit | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Send now while both sides are online | PhotonFile Relay | Live, in-memory delivery is the point of the workflow. |
| Keep files available after upload, including extremely large files | Photon Vault | Vault is built for extremely large files, persistent encrypted storage, and access later instead of stopping at transfer completion. |
| Let someone upload now and let your team review or download later from an encrypted workspace | Photon Vault | Vault supports async handoff without reducing everything to a public transfer page. |
| Collect files from outside people without exposing existing content | Photon Vault | Secure Inbox is built for inbound intake, not just outbound transfer links. |
| Share a branded stored transfer with preview or download controls | WeTransfer | That workflow is centered on hosted presentation and later pickup from a retained transfer. |
Where PhotonFile is stronger
- One platform, two distinct paths: Relay handles immediate handoff and Vault handles encrypted retention, intake, and access later.
- Vault is more than a stored link: Extremely large files, Secure Inbox, scoped sharing, versioning, and team workflows turn storage into a controlled workspace.
- Better workflow separation: you do not have to force live delivery, long-term storage, and secure intake into the same stored-transfer model.
- Stronger fit for upload-now access-later: Vault is built for the case where someone needs to send now and the file should stay encrypted, handle extremely large payloads, and remain available for later review or download.
Where WeTransfer may still fit better
If your team wants branded stored transfers, preview-first client delivery, or a simple hosted link someone downloads later, WeTransfer may still be the cleaner fit.
PhotonFile is strongest when the file should move live, stay in encrypted storage, handle extremely large files, or be received safely into a vault rather than living on a transfer page.
Keep comparing
Need a WeTransfer alternative because your workflow has grown up?
Use Relay when the job is immediate delivery. Use Vault when the job is extremely large encrypted storage, controlled sharing, secure intake, or access later. PhotonFile lets you do both in one platform.