These five methods for how to send large files over the internet are all fast – and all free. Take your pick!
Pop Quiz: what do you do when you have a 50MB+ file to send to a client/colleague/friend/etc?
Answer: By the end of this blog post, you’re going to have five solutions!
It seems a bit strange that it’s well into the twenty-first century and we can STILL only email files that are up to 25MB in size, doesn’t it? Maybe someday that’ll change. But until then, it’s imperative that we have good resources with which to get huge files from our computer to someone else’s in a way that’s fast and free.
Here are my five favorite ways for how to send large files over the internet, with pros and cons for each.
1) WeTransfer
WeTransfer is an easy-to-use free web app that almost needs no instructions. How does it work? Visit the WeTransfer website, upload your files, enter your email and your recipient’s email, and hit send! Your link will expire in seven days.
Pros: No account needed on either side. Available to use from any online location.
Cons: If your file is over 2GB in size, you’ll need a paid account.
2) Google Drive
Google Drive is loved by many and with good reason. How does it work? Login to your Google/Gmail account (required to use), visit Google Drive, upload your files, and either enter your recipient’s email or generate a download link.
Pros: You can customize whether your recipient can view, edit, or manage your shared files. Also, your link will never expire.
Cons: You’ll need to create a Google account to use Drive, and you will most likely annoy your recipient if they’ve not drunk the “Google Koolaid.”
3) Dropbox
Dropbox is enjoyed by web designers like me who need an easy way for clients to send content in bits and pieces over a period of time. How does it work? You can create a “shared folder” that lives on both of your computers and automatically syncs whenever either person puts any files inside of it.
Pros: A shared Dropbox folder can live on your hard drive on your computer so you won’t have to go into a web browser to access files. Similar to Google Drive, your link won’t expire.
Cons: Both the sender and the recipient will need a Dropbox account. A free account caps out at 2 GB, so you can run out of space without a paid account.
4) TransferNow
TransferNow is another good free option for sending large files and it doesn’t require an account. How does it work? Visit their website, drag and drop your files, enter your info, and hit send.
Pros: Allows for up to 4GB for free users and also lets you delay sending to a time or date in the future which can sometimes be handy.
Cons: You only get five transfers per day without the premium plan.
5) FileMail
FileMail gives you the option of sending your file as an email or sending it as a link. How does it work? Choose your option, drag and drop your files, enter your info, and hit send.
Pros: Send a file up to 5GB in size (the biggest I’ve seen), and doesn’t require an account. Your link will be good for seven days.
Cons: If you want to be able to send files up to 25GB in size, you’ll need to upgrade.
So, which of the above methods is right for you? The great thing, you don’t have to use the same method each and every time. I use Dropbox with my clients, Google Drive with one of the nonprofit boards I serve on, WeTransfer in many one-off situations, and the others on other occasions. It’s always good to have options, right? 🙂
Which is YOUR favorite way to send files? Let us know in the comments below.
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