A sending service and Microsoft's cloud storage. How they compare in 2026, how to send a large file with OneDrive, and how to get a WeTransfer into your OneDrive without downloading it first.
Free limits, file sizes, how long files last and what you pay.
| WeTransfer | OneDrive | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | A service for sending files | Microsoft's cloud storage, built into Windows and Microsoft 365 |
| Free plan | Up to 10 transfers or 3 GB in total every 30 days | 5 GB with any Microsoft account |
| How long files last | Transfers expire, after a few days on the free plan | Until you delete them. Share links work until you turn them off, or until a date you set on a paid plan |
| Largest single file | Up to 1 TB per transfer on the Ultimate plan | Up to 250 GB per file |
| Recipient needs an account | No | No, with an "Anyone with the link" share link |
| Organising and search | None: files arrive as a download | Folders, search, previews, version history and File Explorer on Windows |
| Paid storage | Ultimate includes up to 2 TB | Microsoft 365 Basic: 100 GB for $1.99 a month. Personal: 1 TB for $9.99 a month, with Word, Excel and PowerPoint (US prices) |
Prices and limits checked October 2026. Plans change, so check each provider before you buy.
OneDrive cannot open a WeTransfer link by itself, so the usual way is to download everything to your computer and upload it again. WetoDrive moves the files from WeTransfer into your OneDrive for you.
Take the WeTransfer link from the email or message. Short we.tl links and full wetransfer.com links both work.
Allow WetoDrive on Microsoft's screen, paste the link and, if you like, name a folder such as Clients/Acme.
Your free OneDrive space is checked first, then the files go straight into your OneDrive, with nothing downloaded to your device. You get an email when they land.
For sending a large file once to someone who will not keep it in your account, WeTransfer is simpler. If you already pay for Microsoft 365, a OneDrive share link does the same job for files up to 250 GB, and the file stays in your OneDrive afterwards.
Upload it to OneDrive, choose Share and set the link to "Anyone with the link", so the person receiving it does not need a Microsoft account. On a paid Microsoft 365 plan you can also give the link an expiry date or a password. OneDrive takes files up to 250 GB each.
OneDrive cannot open a WeTransfer link by itself. With WetoDrive you paste the link and the files are saved straight into your OneDrive, without being downloaded to your computer or phone first.
Every Microsoft account includes 5 GB. In the US, Microsoft 365 Basic gives 100 GB for $1.99 a month and Microsoft 365 Personal gives 1 TB for $9.99 a month. WetoDrive checks your free OneDrive space before fetching anything.
Yes, as well as personal OneDrive. Some organisations only let their IT admin approve new apps. If Microsoft says you need an admin's approval, ask them to approve WetoDrive, or use a personal Microsoft account.
Yes. Free transfers expire after a few days, and paid plans such as Ultimate let you set your own expiration. Once a transfer expires the link stops working, so save anything you want to keep before then.
Save it into OneDrive before the link expires, without downloading it first.
Save a WeTransfer to OneDrive