Top 10 Free Ways to Transfer Massive Files

Some files are just too large for emails even in this age of broadband.  But the bottleneck is in the storage space needed to transport huge files from the sender to the recipient in a secure channel especially when server space is at a premium.

Most email services don’t allow large attachments – Gmail’s limit is 20MB. Thankfully, this need has been filled by some online file delivery services that allow us to transfer massive files over the internet for free.

Though there are definitely more than ten online file delivery services, these are the top free file transfer services.

Top 10 Ranked by File Size Limits

YouSendIt Lite

YouSendIt lets you send files as large as 100MB with a 1GB monthly download limit. Sign-up is not required and it is supported by advertising that appears on the upload and download pages. The recipient gets an email message with a link showing where to get the file. Maximum number of downloads allowed per file is 100 and the recipient has up to 7 days to pick up the file. The Lite version is stripped down and lacks some of the more advanced features like security and tracking. For simple file transfers, this is a capable solution.

GigaSize

GigaSize offers two free ways to send your large files – Without a log-in (Free Center) lets you upload a max of 300MB with a 10 file cap. A registered Free Account on the other hand allows for 300 MB/file but unlimited uploads. Plus, your files are kept for 45 days. An account also gives you the flexibility to organize your files using a file organizer. You can also import your Yahoo, Hotmail, MSN and Gmail contact list and share your file with friends by sending those links to the file.

The free accounts are ad-supported, have waiting time for downloads and have slower speeds than a premium account but hey, it’s a free lunch.

Send Space Lite

Send 300MB files to any email address you want with this file transfer service. You can upload 5 files in one go though the daily bandwidth restriction is 1GB. There are no limits on the number of downloads. Inactive files get automatically deleted from the server after 7 days. Though you don’t need to register, a log-in name opens up additional file management features. Upload and downloads are eased by a SendSpace Wizard tool.

Spread It

Spread It is another in the line of simple, utilitarian file sending services which send your files without requiring a log-in. Spread-It will automatically email you a link to your file stored and another to delete it. A file can be up to 500MB and is kept online for 14 days, without downloads limit or waiting times.

zUpload

With zUpload you can send across a maximum of 500MB per file in a jiffy but you can upload as many files as you want. With each file you get a unique URL which you can mail across to others for unlimited downloads. Your file stays available for 30 days. The web service is supported by ad revenues and donations.

MegaUpload

MegaUpload has an ad-financed free online storage service and a premium service with additional features and light advertising. Free membership requires a log-in and gets you 200 GB online storage with a file manager. After an upload, you can share you link with others. You can download a maximum of 1GB per session.

Particularly useful is the support for resuming broken downloads and uploads and the use of download managers. There are no restrictions to the number of downloads. Also a frequent user can earn reward points from downloads and encash it for a premium service.

A few disappointing features take some sheen away from the free service – a waiting time before downloads begin, capped download speeds and download slot unavailability for some countries.

Transfer Big Files

Transfer Big Files (beta) is again one of those simple no frills services. It lets you send 1GB sized files in one go. Files are kept for 5 days prior to deletion. There is no storage limit so you can send as many files as you want. To send the files you do not need to register. For quick use, the designers have also created a Windows System Tray tool that allows users to drag-and-drop files to the site.

Filemail

Filemail helps you send up to 2GB files to others through your browser. Upload your bulk to FileMail, enter the recipient(s) email ID and send. The recipient receives an email from FileMail with the links for download. After a user specified number of days or downloads, the files are removed completely from the servers. FileMail is clean cut, secure and utilitarian – no registration is required and so far it is ad-free. FileMail is also available in 14 languages.

File Dropper

Elegant with an uncluttered Web2.0 interface is how I would describe it and with a 5GB upload limit it is weighty too. Sending a file is dead simple – upload and share your personal link. It does just one job and does it well.

MegaShares

An upload limit of 10GB per session is more than enough to send even the Harry Potter series through the mail. With MegaShares you can send a single file or multiple files. A Java based browser tool lets you drag and drop files for easy uploads. After it’s done, you will get a URL that you can email to your friends or keep for yourself. A selected option can send the link automatically to any provided recipient email.

Megashares also support most download managers. Uploads are completely anonymous and every uploaded document is encrypted unless the file is made public. Any file remains available as long as there is 1 unique download in 15 days and 10 unique downloads in 45 days through your unique link.

What do you think, did we miss any?  If you think we missed some of the best services, let us know in your comments!

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