Best File Sharing Tools for Creative Agencies in 2025
Creative agencies share 50-200GB files weekly: 4K video projects, RAW photo shoots, design files with hundreds of layers, client presentations with high-res assets. Standard tools fail: Dropbox/Google Drive struggle with 20GB+ files, generic sharing lacks professional client presentation, no analytics show if clients actually reviewed work, and basic security exposes intellectual property.
Peony solves agency-specific needs: handles large files efficiently, branded client portals (agency.peony.ink showcases professionalism), engagement analytics show which assets clients review vs ignore, built-in eSignatures for approvals/contracts, and watermarks protect creative work. Purpose-built for professional client deliverables.
Here are the best file sharing tools for creative agencies in 2025.
1. Peony - Best for Client-Facing Work
Website: https://peony.ink
Why agencies choose it:
- Branded client portals (agency.peony.ink) showcase professionalism
- Analytics show which assets clients review (prioritize revision requests)
- Built-in approval workflows with eSignatures
- Watermarks protect work-in-progress creative
- Handles large files (50GB+) without slowdown
- Client feedback/Q&A in same platform
Best for: Client deliverables, pitch presentations, final approvals, ongoing client relationships
Agency use case: Share campaign deck → Track which concepts resonate → Collect approvals → All in one platform
2. WeTransfer Pro - Best for Quick Large Transfers
Strengths: Simple, fast, handles up to 200GB, password protection, custom branding
Limitations: No analytics, basic security, temporary (expires), not for ongoing collaboration
Best for: One-off large file sends to clients/vendors
Pricing: $12/month per user
3. Frame.io - Best for Video Review
Strengths: Purpose-built for video, frame-accurate commenting, version control, integrates with Adobe
Limitations: Video-specific, expensive ($15-30/user/month), not general file sharing
Best for: Video production agencies, post-production workflows
4. Dropbox Business - Best for Internal Collaboration
Strengths: Reliable syncing, 2TB+ storage, integrates with design tools
Limitations: Consumer appearance for client-facing, limited analytics, generic branding
Best for: Internal team file storage and collaboration
Note: Good for internal use, upgrade to Peony for client-facing deliverables.
5. Google Drive - Best for Budget Teams
Strengths: Affordable ($12/user/month), integrates with Google Workspace, collaborative editing
Limitations: Not professional for client presentations, no analytics, generic links
Best for: Small agencies with tight budgets, internal collaboration
6. Adobe Creative Cloud - Best for Adobe Workflows
Strengths: Built into CC apps (Photoshop, Illustrator, Premiere), version sync, library sharing
Limitations: Limited to 100GB per user, requires CC subscription, basic client sharing
Best for: Agencies fully embedded in Adobe ecosystem
7. Box - Best for Enterprise Clients
Strengths: Enterprise compliance (HIPAA, SOC 2), integrations, good for regulated industries
Limitations: Complex, expensive, not design-focused, overkill for most agencies
Best for: Agencies serving enterprise clients with strict compliance needs
8. Sync.com - Best for Privacy-Focused Work
Strengths: Zero-knowledge encryption, private, affordable
Limitations: Basic features, no analytics or branding, generic sharing
Best for: Agencies handling highly sensitive client data
9. Egnyte - Best for Hybrid Storage
Strengths: Cloud + on-premise, good for large media libraries (1TB+), local LAN speeds
Limitations: Complex setup, enterprise pricing, dated interface
Best for: Large agencies with on-premise servers and massive archives
10. MediaSilo - Best for Media Asset Management
Strengths: Built for media workflows, metadata tagging, client review tools
Limitations: Niche platform, expensive, video/media-specific
Best for: Large production companies managing extensive media libraries
Agency-Specific Feature Comparison
Feature | Peony | WeTransfer | Frame.io | Dropbox | Adobe CC |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Client branding | ✅ Full | ⚠️ Logo | ⚠️ Logo | ❌ No | ❌ No |
Large files (50GB+) | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes (200GB) | ✅ Yes | ⚠️ Slow | ❌ No (100GB max) |
Client analytics | ✅ Detailed | ❌ No | ⚠️ Basic | ❌ No | ❌ No |
Built-in approvals | ✅ eSign | ❌ No | ⚠️ Comments | ❌ No | ❌ No |
Watermarks | ✅ Dynamic | ❌ No | ❌ No | ❌ No | ❌ No |
Monthly cost | $40 | $12/user | $15-30/user | $20/user | Incl w/ CC |
What Creative Agencies Actually Need
For client deliverables: Peony (professional, branded, analytics)
For large file transfers: WeTransfer Pro (quick, simple)
For video review: Frame.io (frame-accurate feedback)
For internal storage: Dropbox or Google Drive (team collaboration)
For Adobe workflows: Creative Cloud (built-in integration)
Most agencies use multiple tools: consumer platform for internal work, specialized platform for client-facing deliverables.
Common Agency File Sharing Challenges
Challenge 1: File size limits
Standard tools struggle with 20GB+ design files and 50GB+ video exports
Challenge 2: Generic presentation
Consumer tools don't match agency brand quality expectations
Challenge 3: No client engagement data
Can't tell if client reviewed work before feedback call
Challenge 4: Approval bottlenecks
Need separate tools for contracts/approvals
Challenge 5: IP protection
Work-in-progress needs watermarking before sharing
Why Agencies Choose Peony
Common triggers for switching:
- Professionalism: "WeTransfer links don't match our brand"
- Intelligence: "Need to know what clients actually looked at"
- Efficiency: "Want approvals in same place as files"
- Security: "Need watermarks on pre-launch creative"
- Client experience: "Branded portal impresses enterprise clients"
Agency Workflow: Before vs After Peony
Before (fragmented):
- Upload files to WeTransfer (large files)
- Upload final deck to Dropbox (client access)
- Send contract via DocuSign (approval)
- Email back-and-forth (feedback)
- Manual tracking (who reviewed what?)
After (unified):
- Upload all deliverables to Peony (one platform)
- Client accesses branded portal (professional)
- Analytics show engagement (prioritize follow-up)
- Approvals via built-in eSignatures (no tool switching)
- Q&A managed in platform (organized)
Time saved: 5-8 hours per client project
Creative File Types & Best Tools
Video (4K, RAW footage): WeTransfer Pro or Frame.io (large file handling)
Design files (PSDs, AI files): Adobe CC or Dropbox (native integration)
Client presentations: Peony (branded, analytics, professional)
Final deliverables with approval: Peony (eSignatures built-in)
Internal collaboration: Google Drive or Dropbox (team access)
Pricing for Creative Agencies
5-person agency costs:
- WeTransfer Pro: $12/user = $60/month (transfers only)
- Dropbox Business: $20/user = $100/month (storage + sync)
- Peony: $40/user/month (all client work)
- Frame.io: $15-30/user = $75-150/month (video only)
ROI calculation: Professional client presentation = 10-20% higher close rates on new business = pays for itself immediately. Peony is cheaper than most alternatives AND provides far more features.
Migration from WeTransfer to Peony
Steps (1 hour):
- Set up branded Peony account (agency.peony.ink)
- Upload standard client deliverable templates
- Customize with logo, colors, brand assets
- Create first client project folder
- Share professional URL with client
Result: Clients notice and comment on professional experience upgrade.
Conclusion
Creative agencies need file sharing that matches their brand quality and provides intelligence about client engagement. While WeTransfer and Dropbox handle basic transfers, Peony delivers the professional, branded, analytics-enabled platform agencies need for client relationships.
Professional file sharing for agencies: Try Peony