Article updated on December 21, 2025 by Byothe
Today, our files travel more often via the cloud than via USB. A report to send to a colleague living abroad, a family video to share with someone across the country. Or simply a large file to transfer immediately... we've all been faced with this need. So, the reflex is always the same: Dropbox, WeTransfer, Google DriveThese names come up as obvious ones. We don't know exactly what they'll do with our data. Unlike Wormhole, which claims that your files are only accessible to you and the person you choose to send them to. So we tested it, and here's what we think of this transfer service.
Wormhole, a tool designed for your data and nothing else
To understand Wormhole, we must first return to an observation shared by many. Most of the services we use every day, such as Dropbox, Google Drive, and WeTransfer, certainly encrypt our data, but they also keep the key. In other words, your files appear locked... but someone else can still open them. And that, let's face it, isn't very reassuring.
It is precisely to respond to this problem that Feross and John, two well-known developers in the open source world, launched Wormhole. Their idea was clear: to create a tool where privacy would not be an option that you activate in a corner of the settings, but the basic rule. Here, everything is designed so that you remain the sole master of your data. In practical terms, your files are end-to-end encrypted. The key never leaves your device and never reaches the servers. Even Wormhole has no way of opening what you share.
And of course, security was only part of the equation. The service also had to be convenient and fast, because no one wants to wait minutes for send a simple documentThat's why Wormhole generates a link in seconds, with no registration or software installation required. And in many cases, it goes even further: thanks to instant streaming, the recipient can start downloading while you're still uploading. Sometimes, the transfer is even peer-to-peer, directly from browser to browser.
How does sharing a file with Wormhole work?
During our test, the experience was surprisingly smooth. Sending takes just a few seconds. You choose the file to transfer, import it, and Wormhole immediately generates a link. The sender can then decide how long it will be valid: one hour, one day, or simply a limited number of downloads. Sharing can be done via email, WhatsApp, Messenger, Telegram, or even by QR code. In our test, this is the method we used to send a file from a PC to a smartphone. A simple scan, and the link was ready to be opened.
On the receiving end, the experience is just as simple. Opening the link offers the recipient several options. Download the file, play it directly online—useful for a piece of music or a video—or even reshare it via a new link or QR code. Wormhole specifies that the file is encrypted, and it's even possible, from the receiving page, to report or delete the link.
What's most striking is how seamless the process is. No apps to install, no complicated menus. A minimalist, readable interface that gets straight to the point. During our test, we chose the "one download" option. And guess what? Once the file was downloaded to the receiving device, the link immediately became untraceable. A clean, seamless disappearance, proving that Wormhole keeps its promise.
Wormhole vs. Other Solutions: What Are the Real Differences?
Let's not kid ourselves, Wormhole isn't the only online transfer service out there. But what sets it apart is its approach. Where most prioritize convenience, Wormhole prioritizes privacy and speed. Here's how it stacks up against the tools we're all familiar with:
- WeTransfer: Practical and popular, but limited to 2 GB in the free version. It also requires entering an email address and displays ads. Wormhole, on the other hand, goes up to 10 GB, without ads or registration.
- Dropbox: Very useful for storage and collaborative work, but the company retains potential access to your files. Wormhole is limited to transfer, but guarantees that your data remains end-to-end encrypted.
- Swiss Transfer : generous with 50GB, but without full encryption. Wormhole offers less space, but offers much stronger privacy.
Simply put, Wormhole doesn't try to do everything. It focuses on one thing, but it does it better: transferring your files quickly, easily, and without ever compromising your privacy.
