Frame.io is for review.
TrunkTransfer is for delivery.
If you need clients to leave timecoded feedback on video drafts, Frame.io does that well. If you need to send finished files to a client who just needs to download them, TrunkTransfer is simpler, cheaper, and puts your brand on the delivery.
Two different tools for two different jobs
Frame.io and TrunkTransfer are not direct competitors. They solve different problems. Understanding which one you actually need saves money and removes complexity from your workflow.
Use Frame.io when
- Clients need to leave timecoded comments on video drafts
- You need version stacking and revision history
- Your team reviews cuts together before sending to client
- You are already in the Adobe Creative Cloud ecosystem
Use TrunkTransfer when
- Files are final and the client just needs to download them
- You want delivery pages branded with your studio name and domain
- Your client should never see a third-party platform interface
- You need 200 GB delivery without paying for Adobe Creative Cloud
Why creative studios choose TrunkTransfer for delivery
Frame.io is powerful, but it is a review platform first. For studios that want a clean, branded delivery experience without the review overhead, TrunkTransfer fits better.
No Adobe subscription required
Frame.io is bundled with Adobe Creative Cloud. If your client or your studio does not pay for Creative Cloud, Frame.io is not accessible without a separate purchase. TrunkTransfer is $9/mo on its own.
Your brand on every delivery
Frame.io always shows the Frame.io interface to your client. TrunkTransfer puts your studio name, your domain, and your brand colors on the delivery page. TrunkTransfer is invisible.
Deliver from your own domain
TrunkTransfer Starter lets you send from files.yourstudio.com. Your client sees your domain in the browser bar from the moment they click the link. Frame.io does not offer custom domains.
No AI training on your files
Frame.io is an Adobe product. TrunkTransfer never trains AI on your files, never sells your data, and files are deleted after the delivery window expires.
Pricing reality
Frame.io costs $55/mo minimum. TrunkTransfer is $9/mo.
Frame.io is included with Adobe Creative Cloud, which starts at $54.99/mo for the All Apps plan. There is no standalone Frame.io subscription available for individuals. For teams, Creative Cloud for Teams starts at $89.99/user/month. If you are using Frame.io only to send final files to clients, that pricing is hard to justify.
TrunkTransfer Starter is $9/mo. It includes 200 GB per transfer, custom domain, branded delivery pages, client portals, download notifications, and password protection. Free plan covers up to 3 GB per transfer with no account required.
TrunkTransfer Free
$0/mo
3 GB per transfer. No account needed.
TrunkTransfer Starter
$9/mo
200 GB, custom domain, branded delivery.
Adobe CC (Frame.io)
$55/mo+
Full Creative Cloud required for Frame.io access.
TrunkTransfer vs Frame.io
| Feature | TrunkTransfer | Frame.io |
|---|---|---|
| Primary purpose | Client file delivery | Video review and collaboration |
| Client needs an account | Never | Guest access available, but tied to Frame.io UI |
| Deliver from your own domain | Yes, Starter plan | No |
| Branded delivery page | Your studio name, logo, colors | Frame.io interface always visible |
| File size limit | 200 GB per transfer | Depends on Creative Cloud plan |
| Timecoded video review | Not the focus | Yes, core feature |
| Download notifications | Yes, Starter plan | No |
| Pricing | Free up to 3 GB, $9/mo Starter | Included in Adobe CC ($55/mo+) |
| Adobe Creative Cloud required | No | Yes |
| Client portals | Yes | No dedicated delivery portal |
| Setup time | Under 2 minutes | Requires Adobe account and project setup |
| No AI training on files | Never | Subject to Adobe terms |
How they fit together
Use Frame.io for review. Use TrunkTransfer for delivery.
Many studios use both. Frame.io handles the review round: clients leave timecoded feedback on drafts while the project is still in progress. Once the files are final and approved, TrunkTransfer handles the delivery: a branded download page from your own domain, with a download notification when the client picks up the files.
The review phase and the delivery phase are different moments in the project. They deserve different tools.
Common questions
Is TrunkTransfer a good Frame.io alternative?
Yes, for file delivery. TrunkTransfer is the right choice if your goal is sending large files to clients who need to download them, without requiring a client account, Adobe subscription, or complex review workflow. If you need timecoded video review and approval workflows, Frame.io still covers that use case. TrunkTransfer focuses on the delivery side: clean links, branded download pages, and no friction for the client.
What is the difference between TrunkTransfer and Frame.io?
Frame.io is a video review and collaboration platform. It is built around timecoded comments, version stacking, team review workflows, and Adobe Creative Cloud integration. TrunkTransfer is a file delivery tool. It is built around sending large files to clients who need to download them, with branded delivery pages, your own custom domain, and no client account required. They solve different problems.
Does Frame.io require clients to have an account?
Frame.io allows guest reviewers to leave comments without a full account, but the experience is tied to the Frame.io interface. TrunkTransfer clients never see any platform. They click a link at your own domain, see your studio name and brand, and download. No platform registration, no review interface, no confusion.
How much does Frame.io cost compared to TrunkTransfer?
Frame.io is included with Adobe Creative Cloud, which starts at around $55/mo for individuals and more for teams. Standalone Frame.io access is not available separately. TrunkTransfer Starter is $9/mo and covers 200 GB per transfer, custom domain, branded delivery pages, download notifications, and client portals. If you are not already paying for Adobe Creative Cloud, Frame.io is significantly more expensive for delivery-only use.
When should I use TrunkTransfer instead of Frame.io?
Use TrunkTransfer when your goal is delivering finished files to a client who needs to download them. A videographer sending a final cut, a designer sending a brand package, a studio sending campaign assets. Frame.io is the better choice when you need clients to leave timecoded feedback on video drafts during production, before files are final. TrunkTransfer is the delivery layer. Frame.io is the review layer.
Can I deliver from my own domain instead of Frame.io?
Yes. TrunkTransfer Starter lets you connect your own subdomain so delivery links go out from files.yourstudio.com instead of trunktransfer.com. Your client sees your domain in the browser bar, your studio name on the page, and no third-party platform branding anywhere. Frame.io always shows the Frame.io interface to your client.
Delivery without the Adobe overhead.
Free up to 3 GB. 200 GB on Starter. Your brand on every delivery.
Start 7-day trial →Card required, no charge for 7 days. No Adobe account. Works from any browser.