Password protected file sharing: LetsSend vs Google Drive (no zip required)

A solo illustrator in a warm, plant-filled co-working space drags artwork files into a browser to send, lit by soft morning window light.

You can do password protected file sharing without zipping your work. The two most common ways are: (1) send an expiring transfer link with a password, or (2) share a cloud-storage link and add access controls. The best choice depends on whether you’re delivering a file (handoff) or collaborating on a file (ongoing access).

This is a head-to-head: LetsSend vs Google Drive. You’ll get a quick comparison table, then the exact steps for each, plus the gotchas that usually bite at the worst moment (client on mobile, link forwarded, upload interrupted, “why can’t I open this?”).

LetsSend vs Google Drive for password protected file sharing (as of October 2026 where stated)
Feature	LetsSend	Google Drive
Password protection on shared link	Yes, links can be password protected	Not a single link password in the same way, access is typically controlled by Google account, email invites, or link sharing settings
Best for	Client delivery, one-off handoff, “download this”	Ongoing collaboration, shared folders, working files
Link expiry	Automatic expiry, Free links expire after 7 days, Pro up to 30 days	Typically persistent until you change permissions or remove the file
Max size per transfer	Free: 5GB per transfer (5GB daily allowance). Pro: 200GB per transfer	Depends on your storage plan and sharing method, large files supported, but governed by account storage limits
Recipient friction	Usually simple: open link, enter password, download	Can be simple, but recipients may be asked to sign in, request access, or deal with organisational restrictions
Download limits	Pro links can carry a download limit	No simple built-in per-link download count limit in standard sharing
Privacy posture	We do not sell files or contact details. Expired transfers are deleted (not quietly archived)	Cloud storage account and its policies govern retention and access
Sign-in model	Passwordless accounts (short code emailed to you, no password to leak)	Google account login (password and often 2-step verification)
Typical workflow	Upload in browser, create a link, set password and expiry, send link + password separately	Upload to Drive, set sharing permissions, send link or invite people

Verdict: which should you use?

Choose LetsSend if you’re delivering a finished file or folder to a client and want a clean handoff: a download link that expires automatically, can be password protected, and (on Pro) can have a download limit. It’s built for “here are the finals” and “please download these assets” moments.

Choose Google Drive if you need ongoing access: shared folders, versioned working files, comments, and the expectation that the link stays valid until the project ends. It’s better when collaboration is the point, not delivery.

Full disclosure: LetsSend is our product. We’ll be honest about the trade-offs, and if Drive fits your workflow better, you should use Drive.

LetsSend workflow: share a file with a password (no zip)

This is the fastest “send and done” flow for client delivery.

Open LetsSend and add your files. Drag and drop the file or folder into the browser.
Wait for the upload to finish. LetsSend uploads straight from your browser to encrypted object storage (so your file isn’t being relayed through a middle server).
Set a password on the link. Use a password that’s easy to type on mobile (clients will thank you).
Confirm the expiry. Free links expire after 7 days. Pro links can last up to 30 days (as of October 2026).
Send the link and password separately. For example, send the link in email and the password in a text message or chat.

If you want to try this immediately, you can send a file free.

What’s happening under the hood (and why it matters)

When a transfer tool uploads directly from the browser to object storage, it can be more reliable at scale and simpler operationally. In practice, you’re less likely to hit the “upload stalled at 99% then died” problem that can happen when traffic has to route through a busy middle server.

Also, link-based delivery matches the real job: your client doesn’t want to “sync a folder”, they want to download the final export and move on with their day.

Common LetsSend gotchas (and quick fixes)

Hotel or café WiFi dropped mid-upload: if you’re sending something big (say a 4K export), upload from a stable connection. If you have to use flaky WiFi, keep the tab open and avoid sleep mode.
Client says “I entered the password and it still won’t download”: confirm they didn’t copy a trailing space. If you pasted it from a note, that invisible space is a classic.
You need to control forwarding: passwords help, but the link can still be forwarded. For stricter control, use an expiry and (on Pro) a download limit, then keep the password out of the same message as the link.

Google Drive workflow: share without zipping (closest equivalent)

Google Drive is excellent for shared project folders and collaboration, but it’s not designed around “one link + password” in the same way. The “no zip” part is easy. The “password” part is usually handled with account-based access.

Upload the file to Google Drive (web or desktop).
Right-click the file and open Share.
Pick your access model:
- Specific people: invite by email (best for control, more friction).
- Anyone with the link: easiest, but less controlled if the link is forwarded.
Set permission level: Viewer vs Editor.
Send the link (or invitations).

Where Google Drive shines (and where it annoys clients)

Shines: shared folders, ongoing access, collaboration, and keeping working files in one place.
Annoys: recipients can hit “Request access” loops, especially if they’re using the wrong Google account, they’re on mobile, or your organisation’s policies block external sharing.

If your client is non-technical, the biggest hidden cost of Drive is time spent troubleshooting access. For a one-off delivery, a password-protected transfer link is often calmer.

Security reality check: passwords help, but they’re not magic

A password on a download link mostly protects against accidental exposure (forwarded email threads, someone glancing at a link, link guessability concerns). It does not magically turn a normal file transfer into end-to-end encryption.

With LetsSend specifically: files are encrypted in transit (HTTPS) and at rest in storage, but LetsSend is not end-to-end encrypted. If you need the full details, read how LetsSend protects your files and how we handle your data.

Choosing between them: a simple decision checklist

You’re delivering finals (wedding gallery export, print-ready PDFs, mastered WAVs): choose a transfer link with password + expiry.
You’re collaborating (brand kit evolving, shared footage selects, ongoing architecture revisions): choose Drive.
Your client hates logins: prefer a passworded transfer link over account-based access prompts.
You need the link to die automatically: prefer a transfer link. Persistent links are easy to forget about three months later.

Best-practice: how to share the password (without making it pointless)

The rule is simple: don’t send the link and the password in the same place.

Send the link by email, send the password by SMS or chat.
Or split it across two Slack messages, ideally in different threads.
If you must send both by email, send them in separate emails (it’s not perfect, but it’s better than one message).

If you want “no account required” delivery

If you’re sending to a client who will not create an account just to download a file (very normal), a transfer link is typically the path of least resistance. LetsSend is designed for that kind of handoff, including quick sending and link controls. You can also read about sending files without signing up for one-off deliveries.

When a competitor is genuinely the better fit

If your work is highly sensitive and you need end-to-end encryption or zero-knowledge storage, you should use a tool that explicitly provides that (and you should verify what they mean, because marketing language gets slippery). LetsSend focuses on private, simple transfer links with encryption in transit and at rest, plus expiry and deletion behaviour once a transfer expires.

Practical next step

If your goal is “send this file, password it, make it expire, and move on”, use LetsSend. If your goal is “we’ll keep working in this folder for weeks”, use Google Drive.

Ready to deliver? Send a file free, then add a password and send the password separately.

Who’s behind this advice

We’re the team behind LetsSend, a file transfer service built for simple, private client delivery. If you want to see who we are or ask a real person a question, visit the team behind LetsSend or contact us.

Frequently asked questions

What is the easiest way to do password protected file sharing without zipping?

Use a transfer link that supports a password. Upload the file, set a password and an expiry date, then send the link and password separately. This avoids zipping, keeps the recipient’s steps simple, and reduces the chance of “request access” loops common with collaboration tools.

Can Google Drive password protect a shared link?

Google Drive sharing is typically controlled by Google account access and sharing permissions, not a single password you add to a link. You can restrict access to specific email addresses or keep a link private, but recipients may need to sign in or request access depending on settings.

Should I send the link and the password in the same email?

It’s better not to. If the email is forwarded or compromised, the password travels with the link and adds little protection. A practical approach is to email the link and send the password via SMS or chat, or at least send them in separate messages.

Does adding a password make the transfer end-to-end encrypted?

No. A password on a download link controls access to the link, but it’s not the same as end-to-end encryption. LetsSend uses encryption in transit (HTTPS) and at rest in storage, but it is not end-to-end encrypted, so don’t treat it as zero-knowledge storage.

What’s better for client delivery: Google Drive or an expiring transfer link?

For one-off client delivery, an expiring transfer link is often simpler because the client can usually download without managing accounts or permissions, and the link dies automatically. Google Drive is better when you need ongoing shared access and collaboration over time.

How long should I set the expiry for a password-protected download link?

Set it to the shortest window that still fits your client’s schedule. For example, 7 days is often enough for delivery and follow-up. If a client is traveling or needs approvals, you might choose a longer window, but avoid leaving sensitive work accessible indefinitely.

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