Being able to share files with others is one of the many benefits of modern technology. But when those files are too large to share and transfer, things can get a lot more complicated.
We’re here to tell you that there are easy ways to send and upload your large files for free. In this post, we’ve compiled a list of free cloud storage services and provided tips on how to speed up the file transfer process.
Compress files before sending
Regardless of how you choose to send your file, making it smaller will only help in terms of storage. File compression will not only shrink whatever you’re trying to send, but it’ll make the transfer go faster no matter which method you choose — be it email, FTP, or cloud storage. The same goes for smartphone users, too.
Most computers come with a file compression utility built-in, so making ZIP file only takes a few clicks. Here’s how to do it.
| Windows | Mac |
| Find the file you want to compress | Find the file you want to compress |
| Right-click on it and select Send To | Two-finger click / Control + click on the file |
| Choose Compressed (Zipped) Folder | Select Compress … [File Name] |
If you’re transferring music files or videos, we suggest using RAR compression instead of ZIP because it uses a better compression algorithm that generally cuts down on data loss and file corruption. We recommend using 7-Zip for this, as this open-source file archivist is one of the best currently available.
Upload to a cloud storage service
The best and most popular option for transferring large files is to upload them to an online storage service where your desired recipient can download them. Thanks to cloud computing, zillions of these types of services exist, so we’ve selected some of the best ones for you.
Below you’ll find a quick list of our current favorites, all of which offer plenty of storage space, security, and sharing features. We won’t get into specifics on how to use each program, but will instead provide brief descriptions to help you find a service that suits your needs.
Google Drive
Google Drive offers up to 15GB of free storage and allows you to share large files, such as pictures and video, in just a few clicks. It even has backup and syncing options, which are useful features to have.
If you already have a Gmail account, you can’t beat the simplicity of Drive, as it’s effectively built right into the email service. You can “attach” files to emails stored on your Drive account just by clicking the Google Drive logo in the email composition window.
Upgrading to the paid version of Drive nets you 100GB of storage for $2 per month, 200GB for $3 per month, or a 2TB of storage — that’s 2,000GB — for $10. There’s also a 10TB option for $100 a month and larger packages beyond that if you plan to share a lot of big files. Any users who have paid for upgrades will be automatically upgraded to Google One, if available in their country of residence, and receive free 100GB upgrade sharable with up to six users along with expert support from Google. If you’re new to using Google Drive, you can read our guide on how to use it.
Chromebook buyers also get a free 100GB for 12 months, so be sure to take advantage of that if you can.
Dropbox
Most often compared to Google Drive, Dropbox is another great cloud storage option that offers 2GB of free storage space and a variety of sharing options. The basic suite of features is more or less the same as Google Drive, but Dropbox also offers a mobile app for non-Android and iOS devices, such as the Kindle Fire.
You can expand your storage options in a few exciting ways, but premium accounts are also available. For $10 a month, you can get a Plus account with 2TB of space, while $17 a month gives you a 3TB of storage and a few advanced features, along with advanced sharing controls, including the ability to set passwords and create expiring links.
OneDrive
Microsoft’s OneDrive service has seen significant upgrades and renovation over the years, making it one of the more competitive solutions for storing files and folders online. With its shared folder system, you can share anything you want at any time and stop doing so at the click of a button when finished. A free package nets you 5GB of free storage, while $2 per month bumps that to 100GB. If you’re an Office 365 subscriber, you can also enjoy 1TB of OneDrive storage for free as part of your plan.
Box
Box has more of a business slant than some of the other offerings in this section. While that doesn’t mean it lacks features applicable to individuals, to access its file- and folder-sharing features, you will need to buy into a Business account (at least at the Starter level), which requires a minimum of three users. Each will cost around $5 a month. It also has a free storage offering and affordable packages.
Files and folders shared over those accounts can be password protected, so that’s a useful security feature that makes Box an excellent choice for those concerned about the privacy and security of their data.
MediaFire
MediaFire provides 10GB with a basic account, though users can earn up to 50GB of free storage in total and boasts incredibly simple sharing tools. There is, however, a 10GB max upload size with said plan, but large files can still upload with no issues. You can also land a 1TB for $4 a month.
pCloud
pCloud’s file transfer services are excellent and particularly well-suited for large file transfers. The service puts no limits on file size or file transfer speed, so you can move files as fast as your internet connection can handle, a useful feature for those who have a Gigabit network. The service also offers plenty of extra features, including the ability to share download and upload links, plus complete security that includes five additional copies of your file on different servers to make sure it isn’t lost. The service does offer a free trial you can use for short-term sharing, but you’ll have to make a one-time payment or get a subscription to unlock the service permanently.
Masv
Masv is a file transfer service specifically designed for large video files, graphics files, and other demanding transfers that creative professionals need to make. If you work with files greater than 20GB, you’ll want to look into this service. Masv uses 160 servers around the world to push transfer speeds as high as possible, while still keeping things simple enough for all sorts of clients to understand. It is a priced service but with a pay-as-you-go option that allows you to save as much as possible. You can also start with a free seven-day trial that offers 100GB of data at no cost.
Alternative: File Transfer Protocol (FTP)
The popularity of cloud storage is rendering old-school methods like FTP — the File Transfer Protocol — obsolete, only making headlines when hackers mess with them. But FTP is still an efficient method of sending your files without compressing them first, having been designed specifically for large file transfers. All you need to start using this protocol is a proper FTP client.
Many modern FTP options, like SFTP and FTPS, add additional security protocols to FTP, making file transfers safer. Organizations benefit from services like Sharefile or ExaVault, which combine FTP features with other technologies. If this sounds like what you’re looking for, ExaVault provides you with a free trial, so you can try it out. Unfortunately, those wanting to send personal files unrelated to business will have to look elsewhere, since FTP is intended for business use.
FTP is a longer and more complicated process than simply uploading your files to a cloud storage service, but it’s still a reliable method of moving large files for free. For a guide on exactly what FTP is and how to use it, check out our in-depth tutorial.
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