How to send a 20 GB file
By the WispFile team · Updated 24 September 2026
To send a 20 GB file without uploading it first, use a direct transfer: the receiver downloads straight from your device while you are online. At a typical 20 Mbit/s home upload that takes about 2.2 hours; at 100 Mbit/s, about 27 minutes. Nothing is stored, and there is no size cap to hit.
Key facts
- 20 GB is over: Every free cloud storage plan listed here, including Google Drive’s 15 GB.
- Direct transfer time is set by the slower connection, usually your upload.
- Beyond the 5 GB verified so far; the same streaming design, still being tested.
- Keep both devices awake and online until it finishes.
How long a 20 GB file takes
| Upload speed | Direct transfer | Upload service (upload, then download) |
|---|---|---|
| 10 Mbit/s | 4.4 hours | 8.9 hours |
| 20 Mbit/s | 2.2 hours | 4.4 hours |
| 50 Mbit/s | 53 minutes | 1.8 hours |
| 100 Mbit/s | 27 minutes | 53 minutes |
| 500 Mbit/s | 5 minutes | 11 minutes |
The last column assumes the receiver downloads at the same speed you upload. A direct transfer overlaps the two legs; an upload service runs them one after the other.
Limits a 20 GB file runs into
- Every free cloud storage plan listed here, including Google Drive’s 15 GB
- Free share links from WeTransfer, Dropbox and Send Anywhere
Checked on each provider’s site; see the comparison for sources.
What to know at this size
Plan for time more than for limits: at a typical 20 Mbit/s home upload, 20 GB takes over two hours whichever way you send it. Direct transfer saves the second half (the download after an upload) rather than making the upload faster.
Check the receiver has the space first; the file is written as it arrives and a full disk stops the transfer.
How to send it with WispFile
- Open wispfile.com (Chrome or Edge verified; Firefox and Safari in testing).
- Add the files or a folder. Nothing is uploaded.
- Share the link, or show the QR code.
- Keep the page open until the other side has everything.
More detail: sending large files without uploading and sending a 50 GB file.
Related
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to send a 20 GB file?
About 2.2 hours at 20 Mbit/s of upload, 27 minutes at 100 Mbit/s, or 5 minutes at 500 Mbit/s, sent directly. An upload service adds the receiver’s download afterwards.
Can I send 20 GB for free?
Yes, directly: WispFile has no size cap and needs no account. Free upload services stop earlier; 20 GB is over Every free cloud storage plan listed here, including Google Drive’s 15 GB.
Send it directly now
Open WispFile, add your files and share the link. No account, nothing uploaded, nothing stored. Free.
Send files with WispFile