Need to send a video, large photo files, or other hefty documents online? Standard email services and free cloud storage platforms put limits on how big your attachments can be. Trying to share large personal files through office tools like Google Drive or Microsoft OneDrive also isn‘t ideal if you want to maintain privacy.
Thankfully, a bunch of handy online services exist solely for transferring big files with ease. I‘ve tested out the best large file sharing platforms to help you find the right fit.
Why Do I Need a Specialized Large File Transfer Service?
Before we dive into the tools, let‘s go over why you‘d need one of these services in the first place:
- Email providers limit attachments to 25MB or less in most cases. Even enterprise options don‘t support over 500MB.
- Cloud storage free tiers only offer up to 15GB in total storage. With limits on individual file sizes.
- Upload speeds can take forever on consumer internet connections.
- Publicly sharing files via free cloud plans threatens privacy.
- Collaborating on huge design, video, or database files with a distributed team is nearly impossible without a dedicated large file sharing platform.
The tools covered below solve all of those issues—and more. With support for sending enormous files, they make transferring any size data a breeze.
Best Services for Sharing Big Files via Web Browser
When you need to send large files whether you‘re on desktop or mobile, a web-based file sharing platform is ideal. Here are the top services that allow simple drag-and-drop uploading right from your browser.
1. WeTransfer
Key Features:
- Send up to 2GB free without creating an account
- File links expire after 7 days by default
- Pay for more data and features as you need them
- Get stats like number of downloads and more in paid tiers
WeTransfer sets the standard for simple, no nonsense file transfers. Drag and drop your files to instantly get shareable links. One nice perk? Wallpapers for the download page so your files shared with a bit of personal flair.
Use When: You need a fast, temporary method to share big files with a friend or client.
2. MASV
Why Choose MASV:
- Specifically designed for video professionals
- Can send 100GB free trial includes for 7 days
- Scale up and pay per use beyond free tier
- Focus on reliability, security, and speed
MASV brands itself as the service purpose-built for video editors, compositors, or animators sending their work to clients and collaborators. It delivers on that promise with rock-solid playback, streamlined workflow, and pay-as-you-go pricing.
Use When: You have huge raw video footage and renders that clients need access to review and approve.
👉 Get your 7 Day Free Trial of MASV Here
3. Dropbox Transfer
Top Features:
- Already have a free Dropbox account? Transfer leverages it
- Bank-level security and encryption
- File size limits: 100MB (Free), 2GB (Plus), 100GB (Professional)
- Password protect transfers or set expiration dates
- See when recipient downloads file
Think of Dropbox Transfer as an extension to their popular cloud storage platform. It makes use of your existing storage and login while focusing specifically on large file delivery. For freelancers used to working client project folders via Dropbox, it‘s a no brainer.
Use When: You want the reliability of Dropbox for sharing large work files.
👉 Get Started with Dropbox Transfer
What Sharefest Offers:
- 1GB max file size for free users
- Store up to 1,000 files in your available storage
- Set custom download page and filenames
- Expiration dates from 1 minute up to 1 month
- Encrypt files with passwords
Sharefest excels at customization. From branded download pages to unique expiration times, you can craft the exact file transfer experience for each client. It keeps link management easy with assigned keys as well.
Use When: You want to white label file transfers to match your brand.
5. Pixeldrain
Why Choose Pixeldrain:
- Send enormous 5GB files free
- Store up to 10,000 files without an account
- Clean drag and drop interface
- 30 day default expiration
- Remove ads and expand storage with Pixeldrain Pro
With streamlined uploads and downloads—plus generous limitations around file sizes and amounts—Pixeldrain is primed for public links. There‘s no fuss involved. Just upload whatever you need to share and fire off the link.
Use When: No nonsense, temporary transfers for clients or personal files.
👉 Upload Files Free on Pixeldrain
6. FileTransfer.io
Key Perks:
- Send files up to 6GB in size
- 100GB total storage for free users
- 21 day expiration by default
- 50 download limit for public links
- Scale limits exponentially in paid plans
Simple drag-and-drop uploads combined with strong encryption power FileTransfer.io. It caters nicely to one-off transfers while allowing power users to scale bandwidth and storage as site traffic demands.
Use When: You want a basic but expandable way to handle quick file transfers.
7. Smash
Features:
- No upload size limit at all
- Completely free with no required login
- Encrypt files transfers with passwords
- Customizable download pages
- 14 day default expiration
True to its name, Smash crushes file size limitations. Even on their unlimited free plan, any size transfers are welcome. That makes it hands-down one of the most flexible zero-committment ways to offload giant files.
Use When: You have enormous files larger than what other free services support.
👉 Start Sharing Any Size Files
Best Tools for Sending Large Files on Windows
If most of your oversized files reside on a Windows machine, a native app can make transfers easier. Here are top-rated options for file sharing directly from File Explorer.
8. Mega
Why Go With Mega:
- Generous base storage
- Intuitive desktop apps
- Link sharing from file properties
- End-to-end encryption
- Sync files across devices
Mega operates like an encrypted version of mainstream cloud storage providers. But built-in large file delivery mechanisms set it apart. Right click any file to grab an access link or share encryption keys. Fast uploads and downloads regardless of size.
Use When: You want cloud backup and seamless file sharing bundled together.
9. Send Anywhere
Key Advantages:
- Share files of any size instantly
- Transfer queue for managing multiple files
- Direct P2P transfers using code keys
- 1TB premium cloud storage option
No file size constraints combined with quick P2P data streaming make Send Anywhere stand above the rest. It can handle uncompressed media projects over wired LAN with ease. Premium cloud packages round it out as a versatile solution.
Use When: Need for speed sharing giant design and video files across devices on a local network.
👉 Install Send Anywhere for Windows
Best Apps for Sending Large Files from Phones
Prefer to manage and share files right from your smartphone? These apps allow easy transfers without needing to hop on a desktop.
10. Filemail
Filemail Benefits:
- Share up to 5GB free, no account needed
- Unlimited 1TB paid plans available
- Email-like recipient notifications
- 7 day default expiration
- Custom branding and emails
Aptly named, Filemail makes sending huge documents as easy as attaching them to an email message. The email-inspired interface combined with generous base quotas for uploads caters nicely to quick smartphone sharing needs.
Use When: You want a friction-free mobile file sharing experience.
11. UpFile
Key Features:
- Share any files without size restrictions
- Transfer queue for managing uploads
- Automatic deletion after downloads
- No signup required
- Customizable security settings
UpFile makes privacy the priority. On top of standard link sharing, all files get removed from servers as soon as recipients grab them. That clean self-destructing approach earns major points around security.
Use When: You have sensitive documents to share then immediately delete.
Why Choose Link File Share:
- 1GB size transfers fully supported free
- Set access password and custom expiration
- Share via public link or transfer keys
- Simple document organization
- No storage limits on paid plans
It‘s hard to beat Link File Share if you prize basic file transfers with sufficient size allowances. Beefy free tier quotas with dead simple public links makes it the first app to try for email alternative sending options.
Use When: Anytime you need to instantly send large documents from your phone.
Before You Send: Compress & Encrypt
No matter which file sharing service you pick, a couple precautions go a long way. First, shrink assets down with compression when feasible. Zipping big batches helps avoid size cutoffs and speed up transfers.
Password protect sensitive data whenever possible as well. Encryption ensures only recipients access uploads, avoiding prying eyes. Tools like 7-Zip make it easy to lock down files with AES-256.
Review permissions, disable public links, and impose hard deadlines for one-off transfers when it makes sense too.
Sharing high resolution photos, large databases, 4K drone footage? The 12 services covered above take the headache out of oversized file delivery. Modern web apps, specialized mobile apps, desktop clients—they have your hybrid environment covered.
Now you can ditch attachment size restraints and offshore file links confidently. Move assets fast while maintaining privacy across teams. And wave goodbye to glacially slow uploads that used to hamper collaboration.
When you need to transfer big assets in a hurry, this guide‘s got you covered! Let us know if you have any other favorite large file sharing tools in the comments too.
