Transfer Big Files: The Top 7 Tools You Should Use
If you work online, and most of us do in some capacity, it’s likely that you’ll have to transfer big files from time to time.
Usually, the quickest way to transfer big files or share your work with someone is to email it to them, which means you just attach it to the email … right?
Not so fast my friend.
The problem, of course, is that most email clients have an attachment limit of 25MB. I’ve had Powerpoint presentations that are well over that limit. If you find yourself in a similar predicament, check out some of the following tools.
Whether it’s a presentation, a movie, or anything else, these tools will help you get the job done quickly.
1. Dropbox
Without a doubt, Dropbox is my favorite of this bunch. I integrate it with my daily work in many ways and it acts as a dual-backup system for everything I write. But if you’re looking to transfer big files, then Dropbox can play that role too.
Dropbox offers a free account of 2GB and, presumably, you could upload a 2GB file to your account and share it quickly with someone else.
All you need to do is click the “Share a Folder” button within your Dropbox account and then enter the email address of the person you want to share it with. Easy peasy.
Website: Dropbox
2. SendThisFile
SendThisFile is perfect for transferring big files. It has no file size limit and you can easily transfer the file via email. If you opt for the paid plan, then you can even secure your files with encryption, create customized emails, and more.
Two things you should know: SendThisFile does not scan for viruses and if you are using the free version the download speed is limited.
Website: SendThisFile
3. Send6
Send6 allows you to send up to six 50MB files every ten minutes without registering at all. You can also track any files you send and delete them at any time.
On the downside, the free version only allows for 10 sendings per month.
Website: Send6
4. TransferBigFiles
If you need to transfer big files, then it would make sense to check out TransferBigFiles.
As the name suggests, the service allows you to transfer big files quickly and easily via email. Any file up to 1GB can be transferred and you can also password protect your files. You can also send multiple files and send to multiple recipients at one time. Additionally, TransferBigFiles will notify you when your files have been downloaded.
However, all files are only available for download for 5 days. After that, they are deleted.
Website: TransferBigFiles
5. DropSend
I first heard of DropSend from a friend who was using it as a way to send himself backups of his own files. But it works just as well when you’re emailing clients or co-workers.
DropSend offers a super simple 3-step interface (Attach, To, From) to transfer big files. There is no software to install and you can send files up to 2GB in size.
DropSend also offers a business plan for group file sharing.
Website: DropSend
6. MailBigFile
MailBigFile allows you to send files up to 300MB to a single email recipient. If you upgrade to their pro version, then you can utilize the Address Book feature and upload even bigger file sizes. According to their website, MailBigFile has been used by brands like Apple, Best Buy, and IKEA.
On the downside, you cannot password protect your files and MailBigFile only stores your files for 10 days before deleting them.
Website: MailBigFile
7. YouSendIt
YouSendIt is extremely easy to use and has a very familiar email-esque layout. You can easily attach and send files up to 100MB for the free version or 2GB for the paid version. Additionally, YouSendIt offers download tracking, password protection, and even custom branding.
The drawbacks include a 1GB download limit for free accounts and the fact that you cannot copy yourself on any emails sent with YouSendIt.
Website: YouSendIt
A bonus for mac users: Droplr
While it doesn’t focus on transferring big files, Droplr is an incredibly simple way to share files from your Mac with a single link.
Anything you need to share — a document, a photo, a slideshow — can be delivered with a single link. It offers integration with Twitter as well, so you can use it for social sharing, as well as for work and emailing.
Website: Droplr
What do you use?
What about you? What tools do you use for file transfers?
Leave a Comment
Thanks! this is a great list. I have only used a couple of these services, Dropbox being my favorite, but I am looking forward to using some others!
I love dropbox, but more as a tool to work on the same file from 2 locations. To send large files, I like to use box.net. You can even have multiple users uploading files to the same folder.
I mostly use Wuala (http://wuala.com/), it pretty much works the same as Dropbox but got better encryption etc.
Nice list. I’ve been using Dropbox to send files lately. It seems to work great, plus I get the extra space from a referral if they signup and install the Dropbox app.
WeTransfer.com is the service I use personally and at work.
I second wetransfer.com. Great interface and very easy to use. Up to 2GB for free, no registration required.
I’ve found a couple good apps for this. My fairovte is DocAS. It’s a simple and efficient middleman, plus you can organize all kinds of files into folders, and export/import in a variety of ways, including DropBox. And you can read and annotate PDFs from within the app. Definitely a lifesaver in my classroom workflow.
Huh?! Why is WeTransfer not in the list?…
Dropbox works really well for 2 reasons:
1) Sharing is possible within a folder, so revisions, updates, additional files are also shared back and forth within that folder.
2) Every time I introduce someone to Dropbox (and in my school that’s a lot of people), I say something like “you should really install this. Works like a charm.” Effect: extra space for me and the other person. Result!
I like Dropbox, but ended up getting a SugarSync account after discovering that it does everything Dropbox does with the single-folder syncing (SS calls it the Magic Briefcase) but it also lets me choose other folders to sync. So I’m able to have it sync my existing extensive work folder without having to change any of my work habits. It’s also a little cheaper than Dropbox and offers a 5GB free account. I’ve been using it for about a month now and it works great! It keeps my entire set of client folders up-to-date on both my workstation and my laptop, plus has the full cloud backup. That, plus Time Machine help me feel secure that my client files are fully protected.
Sugarsync is my choice also. Dropbox is great, but their TOS leaves a bad taste in my mouth.
After the bad press that Dropbox got, I am surprised that more people are not looking for alternatives that do the same thing just as well, but have many additional features added on.
Sugarsync allows me to sync multiple folders between 4 machines without the same folders being on each and then have my blackberry thrown in for giggles.
Forgot to mention that SugarSync lets you share big files the same way Dropbox does. My favorite is just right-clicking on a client proof file (that can be up to 50 MB for some layouts) and copying the public URL. You can do that on any file in a synced folder. It’s made it uber-easy to share higher-res proofing files with clients as well as streamlining how I send files to printers.
Can’t belive that you missed the biggest one … 2Gb for free, every time you need it!
and it’s just lovely…
http://wetransfer.info/
I have used Mail Big File for several years and have produced some work for the company that produces it. It’s a useful tool and the Pro account is very cheap compared to most services.
I think that the information for MailBigFile is out of date though, the files remain online for longer than 10 days, certainly with a pro account.
Hi, nice article,
just wanted to share another service that I found really useful, its based on p2p and its very easy if you want to send a big file to someone,
http://sendoid.com/
We Transfer should go on the list as well. It lets you send up to 2GB.
http://www.wetransfer.com
http://www.sugarsync.com You get a 5gb account for free and share any files you sync. You can send a link via email or copy and past it into an IM.
I’ve tried a number of approaches. For tech savvy clients and colleagues, traditional FTP is still the way to go. I tried to get clients using DropBox for awhile, but some people don’t want to install stuff and still struggle with downloading from the public links. 2GB also just isn’t enough for video work. I’m constantly having to clean it out, or I’m unable to load multiple files for clients.
Lately, I’ve come to rely on the paid version of YouSendIt. It seems to be the simplest for clients to use and the least maintenance for me. The 2GB limit is also per file, not for the account. And the uploads auto-expire so I don’t have to worry about cleaning them up.
I thought that you can get a link with Dropbox to send to people, or at a minimum give a link to the webfolder.
There should not be a reason that they have to install software on their machine, especially if they are using it already.
Nice list. I’ve been using Dropbox to send files. It works good for me.
Thank you for sharing.
We use DropBox for sharing files.
Sometimes I use https://www.wetransfer.com/. And Dropbox too. Good list.
Everyone I know uses WeTransfer.com to send video clips nowadays.
I really like http://ge.tt
You have up to 2GB and the file is ready for sharing instantly from the beggining of your uploading process. It’s free and you don’t need to open an account.
I use Sendspace. http://www.sendspace.com
No box.net? Its free for a 50gb account (if you download their iPhone app)* & you can set up access for clients to folders where they can themselves create sub-folders & dump assets. It’s extremely good for this purpose.
*not sure if this promo is still on, otherwise it’s 5gb
My http://www.Megaupload.com account has never let me down!
I use Dropbox but it certailnly does not do all the job. Am happier and fine that i found this resources because sending videos has been a problem now that i found resources its not longer going to be a problem.
Thank you for this
You definitely forgot Windows Live SkyDrive. Completely free and easy combined with free Office Online.
http://sendoid.com/ is awesome for direct P2P file transfer. It never hits a server. Works on Android too
Yep, wetransfer.com all the way
Sugarsync and Yousendit are horrible. Half the time the bandwidth is so low, you could FedEX it to your destination faster. Dropbox or go home.
Hi,
I have recently downloaded Spider Oak. It’s a good tool. I like it. You can get 5GB for free, it has good encryption system and easy to use.
For more information about it: https://spideroak.com/
Ana.
Does anyone know about minus ?
It’s simple as Droplr but better.
http://min.us/rbgVSQG8
I used to use “wetransfer”, but is so slow, but the web is really nice!!… then I’m using “sendspace”, it’s really easy to use.
Same here, Dropbox is great for sending files of current project and it helps keeping them all well organized (folders
. I use it daily for long-term projects.
But for sending big files for random people I use SENDSPACE. it’s great because of: Wizzard App which allows you to send/upload files like you do with typicall FTP client (besides of connecting to server, obviously). You can even type receiver email and he will get notified while you are working on something else. You can access and manage, copy download links etc for all the time and that works nicer than web application/page. And it’s free!
Binfer is a great option to send large files directly from person to person, without uploading to a server. You can send hundreds of files of any size with a simple drag and drop. Binfer will manage the transfers with auto resumes, encryption, notifications etc. Check it out: http://www.binfer.com
Yes, dropbox has been the most secure and safe tool to save your files.
I use ForgetBox, it allows the user to send an unlimited number of files with unlimited size in 4 clics only ! And it’s free !
All the process is made in background, and you can shut down and restart your computer, the transfer will continue where you stopped it.
http://www.forgetbox.com
There is also a gmail extension for remove the 25Mb limitation
forgetbox-for-gmail.com
I use http://www.sharefile.com. It’s built for businesses, so it’s more secure and trackable then some of the freemium options. It also customizable, so you can white-label it to make it look like your own business- a nice professional touch.
Hi I’m using the best site for that (in my opinion
) http://www.jumbomail.me this website allow you to send & manage large files up to 5GB no registration required!
It allows the recipient to watch an online gallery and also to hear an audio mp3 files.
My favorite is JamboMail. I use only this site to send my large files, hasn’t been disappointing yet. It’s worth checking them out http://www.jumbomail.me
I understand that mail addresses like “mark.twenty@mymail.zz” are refused by Drop Send, which is really surprising. It happened to me to-day and I had to use another tool when I wanted to send a file – 23mb – to 15 friends.
Has anyone figured out how to maintain video quality when using these services? Just like Youtube, the quality isn’t the same after the transfer.
I use zuppit.com instead wetransfer, very quick