Alexis Kestler
Sharing small files is easy – just attach them to an email or message someone. But what happens when you need to send a very large file, like a video project or big zip file? Regular online sharing options won‘t cut it.
You need a dedicated large file sharing service. The good news is there are many excellent tools that let you securely and privately send big files, even 100GB+ in size.
In this guide, I‘ll share the top 12 services and apps to share large files. For each option, I cover:
- File size and storage limits
- Security features like encryption and expiry
- Ease of use and extra features
- Free vs paid plans
I‘ve tested and used all these large file sharing tools personally, so I‘ll provide my honest take on the pros and cons of each.
Let‘s start with the best options if you want to share big files directly from your web browser.
Web-Based Large File Sharing Tools
These services allow you to upload, share and manage large files entirely online:
WeTransfer
WeTransfer is one of the simplest and fastest ways to send large files. Their interface is clean and easy to use.
To send a file, just go to wetransfer.com and select the files you want to upload. Once uploaded, WeTransfer gives you a shareable link you can send to recipients.
WeTransfer is free for files up to 2GB in size. You can upgrade to WeTransfer Pro for 200GB transfers and other benefits like custom branding and password protection.
Pros
- No registration required for basic use
- Very fast and reliable transfers
- File expires after 7 days by default
Cons
- 2GB limit on free accounts
- No way to store files long term
Overall, I recommend WeTransfer for quickly sending large files up to a couple GBs in size. It‘s incredibly fast and easy to use.
MASV
MASV specializes in sending large video files securely. Their platform is purpose-built for media projects with features like:
- File sizes up to 20GB
- Unlimited storage and external collaborators
- Video streaming and review tools
- Custom branding and permissions
MASV has a free 7-day trial that includes 100GB of transfer. After that, pricing starts at $0.25 per transfer for the basic plan. More premium plans unlock additional storage, transfer allowance, and features.
Pros
- Specialized for video professionals
- Very fast transfer speeds
- Useful collaboration tools
Cons
- 7-day free trial limit
- Can get pricey for large volumes
If you work in video production or regularly need to send enormous files, MASV is a great fit. Try their free trial to see if it meets your needs.
Dropbox Transfer
Dropbox, the popular cloud storage service, also offers Dropbox Transfer for large file delivery.
It works similarly to WeTransfer – you upload your files and share the link – but with a Dropbox flavor. For example, you can see who viewed and downloaded the file.
The free plan supports files up to 100MB. Paid Dropbox users can transfer up to 100GB. One limitation is transfers expire after 7 days.
Pros
- Integration with main Dropbox service
- File activity tracking
Cons
- Small 100MB free transfer limit
- Short 7 day expiry
Overall, Dropbox Transfer is convenient if you already use and pay for Dropbox. But there are better dedicated large file sharing platforms.
ShareFast
ShareFast is a straightforward service that creates custom short URLs for your files.
Upload your files and ShareFast generates a unique 2-character URL. You can customize the URL and it will redirect to the file.
ShareFast is one of the few free services with no strict file size limit. However, files over 2GB may be slowed. You can store up to 1,000 files for a month.
Pros
- Completely free to use
- No file size limits
- Custom URL shortener
Cons
- 2GB+ files are rate limited
- Just 1 month expiry
ShareFast hits a nice balance between being user-friendly and flexible on the free tier. Recommended giving it a try.
Pixeldrain
Pixeldrain is another excellent free option, allowing up to 5GB uploads with no account required.
It also has a neat gimmick where files expire 30 days after the last view. As long as someone views the file every 30 days, it will remain available.
For $6 per month, you can upgrade for faster speeds, password protection, and more storage. But the free tier is quite functional.
Pros
- No registration required
- Generous 5GB free upload limit
- Intelligent auto-expiry after 30 days
Cons
- No custom branding options
- Faster speeds require paid upgrade
Overall, Pixeldrain is easy to recommend. It outperforms most competitors on the free plan while still offering affordable paid upgrades.
FileTransfer.io
FileTransfer.io is a newer large file sharing platform but already has impressive features.
Like Pixeldrain above, it does not require any registration. Just visit the site and upload your files. You‘ll get a shareable link to send files up to a generous 5GB limit.
The paid FileTransfer Pro plan ($10/month) includes many handy power user features like API access, custom URLs, password protection, and more.
Pros
- Unlimited free transfers
- No logins required
- Useful Pro features for businesses
Cons
- Max 5GB per free transfer
- Link branding not customizable
For personal use, FileTransfer.io is easy to recommend thanks to the free tier. Teams may want to upgrade for better security and customization.
Smash
Smash is an interesting large file sharing service because they do not enforce hard limits.
You can upload files of any size, even 1TB+, without an account. The only limit is transfers above 2GB are slower.
By paying for a Pro account ($4/month), you remove the slowdown for extra large files. You also get unlimited transfers, custom URLs, and other benefits.
Pros
- No file size restrictions
- Free client apps for easy transfers
- Affordable paid plans
Cons
- Large free transfers are rate limited
- Free version lacks custom branding
If you routinely send enormous files in the 10s of GBs, Smash is a cost-effective solution with flexible free and paid plans.
Windows Tools for Large File Transfers
These apps integrate directly into Windows for easy large file sharing:
Mega
Mega is a secure cloud storage provider that offers helpful features for transferring large files.
When you upload files to Mega, you can right-click them to copy a unique link. Send this link to allow anyone to download the file directly from Mega.
Mega gives all users a generous 50GB of free storage. You can send files up to this limit. Paid plans unlock more storage for higher transfer caps.
Pros
- Easy right-click file linking
- 50GB free transfer limit
- Client apps for all platforms
Cons
- Manual link sharing can be slow
- Free tier lacks some security features
Mega makes it incredibly simple to share large files from your desktop. It‘s a bit more hands-on than full automatic services but very intuitive.
Send Anywhere
Send Anywhere takes an interesting decentralized approach to file transfers.
It generates a 6-digit key you can share with recipients. They enter this key in their Send Anywhere app to directly connect and download files from your device.
This allows transfers totally free without any cloud storage. Paid plans add 1TB cloud storage and other professional features.
Pros
- Direct P2P transfers without the cloud
- Unlimited free transfers
- Easy 6-digit key sharing
Cons
- Recipient needs Send Anywhere installed
- Manual process less convenient
For unlimited free transfers without an intermediary, Send Anywhere is a unique solution. But the recipient requirements may limit use cases.
Android and iOS Apps for Large File Sharing
These mobile apps make it easy to send enormous files from your phone or tablet:
Filemail
Filemail lives up to its name by making large file transfers as easy as sending an email.
Just attach up to a 5GB file, type the recipient‘s email, and hit send. The file uploads to Filemail‘s servers and they receive an email with the download link.
1TB premium plans are available for $10/month. Or you can send files up to 5GB for free.
Pros
- Email-like interface
- No registration required
- Generous free limit of 5GB
Cons
- Transfers not automated
- Android app needs modernizing
Despite the dated Android app, Filemail remains one of the simplest ways to send big files from mobile.
UpFile
UpFile focuses on privacy and security. It requires no account for transfers.
You upload your large files and share the generated link. After the recipient downloads, the file is automatically deleted from UpFile‘s servers.
This auto-expiry makes UpFile great for one-off transfers. But you lose management features like download tracking.
Pros
- No account creation needed
- Automatic file deletion
- Strong privacy focus
Cons
- Hard to track and manage transfers
- Limited to basics only
If you want a purely temporary large file sharing solution, UpFile is hard to beat for privacy.
Download: Android
Link File Share (iOS/Android)
Link File Share takes a balanced approach with a generous free tier and paid upgrades.
You can transfer files up to 1GB without any login or payment. Encryption keys and expiration dates help protect your privacy.
Paid subscriptions start at $2.99/month for 5GB transfers, more security, and priority support.
Pros
- No signup required
- 1GB free transfer limit
- Affordable subscription pricing
Cons
- Max 1GB free transfers
- Fewer features than desktop tools
Link File Share hits a nice sweet spot between free use and affordable paid plans. Worth trying especially for iOS users.
Choosing the Right Large File Sharing Tool
With so many options, how do you choose the right service for your needs? Here are a few key considerations:
File size – If you routinely send enormous files in the 10s of GBs range, choose a service like Smash with unlimited free transfer. For smaller files under 10GB, most providers will work fine.
Sharing method – Some tools like Send Anywhere rely on recipients installing an app. Others let you easily share via links. Consider what‘s most convenient for how you‘ll use the service.
Security features – Encrypted transfers, password protection, and expiring links help keep your files secure. These are must-haves for sensitive data.
Price – Thankfully most large file sharing services offer generous free tiers. But if you‘ll be a heavy user, make sure upgraded plans fit your budget.
Recipients – If your recipients don‘t download files often, pick a service like Pixeldrain where files expire based on the last view rather than upload date.
Branding – Does your business need features like custom landing pages and emails? Services like WeTransfer and MASV allow custom branding.
By keeping these factors in mind, you can identify the right large file transfer tool for your specific needs. Most services let you try before you buy with a free trial or free tier. I recommend creating accounts with 2-3 favorites to see which you like best.
Compressing Large Files Before Sharing
One final tip before you share enormous files – it‘s often smart to compress them first.
Zip tools like 7-Zip make this process simple. Right-click the file or folder and choose compress.
Compressing reduces the filesize which means:
- Faster uploads
- Files less likely to hit provider size limits
- More storage efficient on recipient devices
You can even encrypt the zip file with a password for security. Just be sure to share the password with the recipient separately.
Compressing your largest files helps transfer go smoother no matter what file sharing service you use. Send compressed archives when possible.
Remember to Delete Sensitive Shared Files
When sharing large personal files like family photos or financial documents, take care to delete them from the file sharing service after use.
Unlike email, most large file tools are designed for short term sharing. But files can stick around for weeks or months if you forget to remove them.
So remember to log back in and delete sensitive uploads once you confirm the recipient has downloaded successfully. Don‘t leave them out on the internet forever.
Securely Send Large Files with Ease
Sharing enormous files used to mean mailing USB drives or spending hours uploading to slow servers.
Thankfully, modern tools like the 12 covered in this guide make it nearly instant and hassle-free to transfer even 100GB+ files securely.
Next time you‘re stuck trying to send a massive file, give one of these services a try. Within minutes you can share enormous downloads simply by sending a link.
Just follow security best practices – enable encryption, avoid public links, and delete uploads after use – and you can privately send files of any size with confidence.
Give the free tiers a spin to see which large file sharing platform works best for your needs. And consider compressing big files before sending to speed up transfers.
With the right provider, you‘ll forget file size limits ever posed an issue. Share and collaborate seamlessly no matter how enormous the documents.
