PairOnce

COMPARISON · DIRECT TRANSFER VS CLOUD

Direct transfer or a cloud drive: which one fits

Use a direct transfer such as PairOnce when both devices are open at the same time, they are yours or someone next to you, and you would rather not upload the file anywhere.

Use a cloud drive or a link service when the receiver is not online now, when many people need the same file, or when it should stay available for days.

PairOnce keeps no copy at all, by design: the file goes straight to the other device and never waits on a server.

Step by step

  1. Ask: is the other device open right now? If yes, a direct transfer works. If the person will look tomorrow, use a link.
  2. Ask: how many people get it? One device or two of your own: direct. A group or a mailing list: a shared folder or link.
  3. Ask: should a copy stay online? If you want no copy anywhere, send it directly. If you want a backup or a link that lasts, use the cloud.
  4. Check the size. PairOnce sends up to 2 GB per file free when the receiving computer uses Chrome, Edge or Firefox, or 10 GB with Pro on one of the two devices.

When PairOnce fits

Your own devices: phone to computer, computer to tablet, a work laptop you cannot install anything on.

Someone next to you: a colleague's or friend's device, without swapping accounts or phone numbers.

Nothing uploaded: files go directly between the two browsers, encrypted end to end; when a network blocks that, an encrypted relay forwards them and keeps nothing.

When a cloud drive or link service fits

The receiver is offline: they will download later, from a link.

Many recipients: one upload, one link for everyone.

A copy should stay: backups, shared folders, files a team edits together.

Limits, and when this is not the right tool

  • A file can be up to 2 GB over a direct connection when the receiving browser saves straight to disk (Chrome or Edge on a computer or Android, Firefox on a computer, Safari on iOS 26 or later). Other browsers take up to 50 MB per file and hold 100 MB of received files at a time.
  • Files over 2 GB need PairOnce Pro on one of the two devices. Then a file can be up to 10 GB, received the same way, and the relay carries 5 GB a month.
  • When the two devices cannot reach each other directly, an encrypted relay carries the data. Each device can send and receive 200 MB a month that way, counted together; a direct connection has no monthly limit.
  • Both pages must stay open until everything has arrived: keep the phone’s screen on and the browser in front.
  • PairOnce moves things between two devices that are open at the same time. It is not cloud storage: nothing waits on a server for later.

Other ways to do it

  • Google Drive, Dropbox, iCloud Drive or OneDrive. Files stay online, can be shared by link and edited; needs an account and uploads a copy.
  • WeTransfer and similar link services. Upload once and send a link by email; files are removed after a set time.
  • Email to yourself. Fine for small attachments; most providers cap them at about 20–25 MB.

Common questions

Can PairOnce send to someone who is offline?

No. Both devices must be open at the same time. For someone who will download later, use a cloud drive or a link service.

Is a direct transfer more private than a cloud drive?

With PairOnce no copy is stored on a server: files go between the two browsers, encrypted end to end. A cloud drive keeps a copy on the provider's servers until you delete it.

What about very large files?

PairOnce sends up to 2 GB per file free, or up to 10 GB when one of the two devices has PairOnce Pro; the receiving computer needs Chrome, Edge or Firefox. Beyond that, or for an offline receiver, a cloud drive is the better fit.