Same Problem, Completely Different Planet
Perkoon and WeTransfer both exist to move large files from you to someone else. That''s where the similarities end. One tool uploads everything to its own servers first. The other lets your browser talk directly to theirs.
If you care about speed, privacy, or sending anything over 3 GB without pulling out a credit card, the difference matters.
How WeTransfer Works
WeTransfer is a classic cloud-based file transfer:
- You upload your files to WeTransfer''s servers
- They store your files for a limited time
- Your recipient downloads from their servers
It''s simple, familiar, and very upload-speed-dependent.
How Perkoon Works
Perkoon is peer-to-peer:
- Your browser connects directly to your recipient''s browser
- Files stream between devices using WebRTC data channels
- In P2P mode, files never touch Perkoon''s servers
No central storage. No middleman. Just direct transfer.
File Size Limits
- WeTransfer Free: 3 GB per transfer
- WeTransfer Pro: 200 GB per transfer with a subscription
- Perkoon P2P: No artificial limit. If your connection can handle it, you can send it.
If "just ZIP it" stopped working years ago, this is the line that decides everything.
Speed: Upload Twice Or Once
- WeTransfer: First you upload to them, then your recipient downloads. You pay the upload cost, they pay the download cost.
- Perkoon: One pipe, end to end. Your upload is their download in real time.
On fast symmetric connections, Perkoon P2P can feel instant. On slow upstream connections, skipping the "upload to a distant datacenter" step is the difference between minutes and hours.
Privacy: Who Sees Your Files
- WeTransfer: Files live on their infrastructure. They need access to serve your downloads. You trust their storage, policies, and security.
- Perkoon P2P: We never see your files. Period. The only two machines with access are the sender and receiver.
If that sentence matters to you, you already know which one you should be using.
Availability And Timing
- WeTransfer: Recipient can download whenever the link is valid. It''s asynchronous by design.
- Perkoon P2P: One sender, one receiver. [Updated March 2026] The receiver can join later — transfers queue and fire automatically. Keep the sender tab open.
- Perkoon Cloud: Optional encrypted storage if you do need async delivery.
So Which One Should You Use?
Use WeTransfer When:
- You do occasional one-off sends up to 3 GB
- You do not care where your files live in the meantime
- You just want to email a link and forget about it
Use Perkoon When:
- Your files are huge, sensitive, or both
- You and your recipient can be online at the same time
- You want the fastest possible path between two machines
- You are done paying subscriptions just to send a single project
The Bottom Line
WeTransfer is a good default for small, casual transfers where privacy and speed are optional. Perkoon is the tool you reach for when the files are big, the deadline is real, and you''d like your transfer tool to stop being the weakest link in your workflow.