Send (Timvisee fork) vs WeTransfer

Self-host swap-in for WeTransfer. · Self-host WeTransfer · Send (Timvisee fork) on os-alt

Send (Timvisee fork) is one of the open-source self-host replacements for WeTransfer — license MPL-2.0, 10min docker run to stand up, and $5 vps; encrypted blobs in redis or filesystem, very cheap to run. Compare against WeTransfer's Free tier 2GB per send; Pro $12/user/mo for 200GB/send + 1TB storage below.

	Send (Timvisee fork)open-source	WeTransferpaid SaaS
Category	Large file transfer / one-off send	Large file transfer / one-off send
License / pricing	`MPL-2.0`	Free tier 2GB per send; Pro $12/user/mo for 200GB/send + 1TB storage
Starting price	$0 self-host	$12/user/mo
GitHub	timvisee/send ★ 5.72k · last commit 11mo agostale	closed source
Setup time	10min docker run	SaaS — sign up + bill
Monthly cost	$5 VPS; encrypted blobs in Redis or filesystem, very cheap to run.	from $12/user/mo (Free tier 2GB per send; Pro $12/user/mo for 200GB/send + 1TB storage)

Switching from WeTransfer to Send (Timvisee fork)

Run `docker run -p 1443:1443 registry.gitlab.com/timvisee/send:latest`. Files are end-to-end encrypted in the browser before upload — the server never sees plaintext. Default expiry: configurable downloads (1-100) or time (5min-7d). The shareable URL embeds the decryption key in the URL fragment, so it never reaches your server logs.

Good fit for: Privacy-first sends where you want client-side encryption and predictable expiry semantics — the closest spiritual heir to Firefox Send.
Weak at: No persistent accounts or per-recipient analytics — it's intentionally one-off and ephemeral.
License note: Fork of the discontinued Mozilla Firefox Send; actively maintained by Tim Visée.

Other open-source self-host alternatives to WeTransfer

ProjectSend
GPL-2.015min docker-compose (PHP app + MariaDB)$5 VPS handles a small team; storage scales with attached disk (~$10/TB-mo block storage).
OnionShare
GPL-3.05min installer (desktop app)$0 — runs on your laptop or desktop; no VPS needed.

In a terminal? npx os-alt wetransfer prints WeTransfer's self-host options — how the CLI works →

FAQ

Is Send (Timvisee fork) a free alternative to WeTransfer?

Yes — Send (Timvisee fork) is open source under MPL-2.0. Self-host cost: $5 VPS; encrypted blobs in Redis or filesystem, very cheap to run.. WeTransfer starts at $12/user/mo (Free tier 2GB per send; Pro $12/user/mo for 200GB/send + 1TB storage).

How long does Send (Timvisee fork) take to set up vs WeTransfer?

Self-hosting Send (Timvisee fork): 10min docker run. WeTransfer is a hosted SaaS — sign up and you're in.

What is Send (Timvisee fork) good at, and what is it weak at?

Good fit for: Privacy-first sends where you want client-side encryption and predictable expiry semantics — the closest spiritual heir to Firefox Send.. Weak at: No persistent accounts or per-recipient analytics — it's intentionally one-off and ephemeral..