Best Secure File Transfer Tools for Contractors

Free peer-to-peer virtual LAN from NordVPN, connecting up to 60 devices for file sharing and remote access.

Editor's takeMeshnet lets users build a peer-to-peer virtual LAN across up to 60 devices without configuring port forwarding, and NordVPN dropped the paywall entirely, so no VPN subscription is required. It uses NordLynx, a WireGuard-based protocol, and NordVPN has open-sourced its core networking and file-sharing libraries. The tradeoff is physics: transfer speed is capped by whichever device in the chain has the slowest upload connection, and users report timeouts on very large files.

Hybrid-deployed secure file transfer with unlimited file sizes and FIPS 140-2 compliance.

Editor's takeFileCloud handles files with no size limit through resumable uploads. Its Zero Trust File Sharing encrypts data so even admins cannot access it. Getting started costs more than it looks, since plans require a minimum of 10 to 20 users.

Zero-knowledge encrypted cloud storage with a free 3GB plan from the makers of NordVPN.

Editor's takeNordLocker makes strong encryption approachable with a drag-and-drop interface and a genuinely free 3GB tier. It comes from Nord Security, the company behind NordVPN, which lends it credibility. It lacks file versioning and block-level sync, so it fits simple secure storage better than active collaboration.

Hybrid cloud and on-premise file sharing platform built for regulated industries handling large CAD and BIM files.

Editor's takeEgnyte's Smart Cache technology syncs on-premise servers with the cloud, letting AEC firms work with large CAD files without VPN lag. It backs that with ISO 27001 certification and CMMC 2.0 support for regulated industries. Enterprise pricing is not public and Mac OS reviewers report sync stability problems.

Managed file transfer platform with script-free workflow automation and a dedicated compliance module.

Editor's takeGlobalscape's Advanced Workflow Engine lets administrators build complex file transfer logic with over 200 drag-and-drop actions, no scripting required. Its Regulatory Compliance Module actively enforces PCI DSS, GDPR, and HIPAA standards, backed by Fortra's cybersecurity portfolio. The tradeoffs are a Windows-only server and pricing that climbs as modules like SFTP and auditing get added.

Encrypted file-sharing platform with revocable access, FedRAMP Moderate authorization, and no recipient login needed.

Editor's takeVirtru holds FedRAMP Moderate authorization and FIPS 140-2 validated encryption, credentials that matter for defense contractors and healthcare providers moving files up to 15GB. Recipients never need a Virtru account to open a share, and senders can revoke access or watermark files after delivery. Pricing is public and tiered from $119 a month, though G2 reviewers describe the interface as clunky with occasional login loops.

Secure file transfer built into Dropbox, sending up to 250GB with no account needed to download.

Editor's takeDropbox Transfer sends files up to 100GB on Professional plans, or 250GB combined with a Dropbox account, and recipients can download without creating an account. Dropbox backs it with SOC 1, 2, 3, HIPAA and ISO 27001 compliance across more than 600,000 business teams. There is no public API for automating transfers, and at $16.58 a month, Professional costs more than standalone tools like WeTransfer Pro.

Secure file sharing and e-signature platform for regulated industries, built for compliance-heavy client workflows.

Editor's takeShareFile leans hardest into compliance among file-sharing tools, stacking SOC 2 Type II, ISO 27001, and HIPAA certification with AES-256 encryption. That makes it a natural fit for healthcare, finance, and legal teams. The catch is a minimum license requirement and an Outlook integration that breaks on Microsoft's newer client.

Secure document management platform for accountants with unlimited storage and exclusive Intuit Lacerte integration.

Editor's takeSmartVault has been Intuit's exclusive integrated document manager for Lacerte and ProSeries since 2014, a partnership rivals cannot match, and its SmartRouting feature auto-files tax documents into the right client folder. Every plan includes unlimited storage and unlimited clients, a rarity in the category. The friction shows up in day-to-day use. Reviewers call the interface dated, cite slow customer support, and one long-term user reported the price nearly tripling with little warning.

Enterprise file transfer software supporting SFTP, AS2, and PeSIT, with over 60 automation tasks.

Editor's takeGoAnywhere covers nearly every enterprise transfer protocol, from SFTP to PeSIT. That depth explains its 9.4 capability score, among the highest in this batch. A 2023 zero-day flaw, CVE-2023-0669, hit exposed admin consoles and still weighs on its security score.

Managed file transfer platform automating SFTP, FTPS, and AS2 workflows without scripting, licensed per instance.

Editor's takeGoAnywhere MFT automates file transfers over SFTP, FTPS, AS2, and HTTPS with over 60 pre-built workflow tasks and no scripting required, plus Cloud Connectors for AWS, Azure, and Salesforce. It licenses by module or server instance rather than per user, which scales well but stays hidden behind a quote request. In 2023, a zero-day RCE vulnerability, CVE-2023-0669, was exploited in the wild to access customer systems, a serious mark on its security record despite FIPS 140-2 validated encryption elsewhere in the product.