Sending large files
About
Most e-mail servers won't let you send and/or receive files >10 MB, plus big files *can* clog up / slow down your inbox, so if you need to send big files I highly recommend using a web based file sharing service. These site let you upload your file(s) to their server (without needing FTP), and once uploaded send an e-mail to your recipient with a link to download the files. The files are often deleted from the server after two weeks, but that's still plenty of time to be downloaded.
I wrote the list below in 2011. Things may have changed since then..... most notably: I now recommend Google Drive for some serious storage capacity, FileMail.com, which allows you to quickly e-mail files up to 2 GB... or DropBox, which gives you 2GB to upload/sync folders, but some other options are listed below:
Web Based File Sharing Services
- SERVER: FileMail.com {*****}
- SPEC : 2 GB total
- PROS : Cool interface and progress bar, can enter message & sender address, 2 GB file limit.
- CONS : Few
- SERVER: DropBox {*****}
- SPEC : 2 GB total
- PROS : Can store files/backup indefinietly, download program to sync "drop box" folder on Windows and/or OS.
- CONS : Must create account; not specifically designed for sending.
- SERVER: Sugarsync {*****}
- SPEC : 5 GB free account (or various payment options for more space - 30GB=$50/year).
- PROS : Very versatile and great interface for selecting which folders to sync.
- CONS : Mostly for online backup, not but can work for sharing files.
- SERVER: Driveway.com {****-}
- SPEC : 2 GB total. 500 MB file limit.
- PROS : Unlimited space, can create folders, manage and backup files.
- CONS : Must register.
- SERVER: TransferBigFiles.com {***--}
- SPEC : 1 GB total. 1 GB file limit.
- PROS : Good file limit
- CONS : File expires in 5-10 days
- SERVER: Pando.com {***--}
- SPEC : 1 GB total
- PROS : Swarming bittorrent engine provides the best speeds, can upload whole folders.
- CONS : Sender and receiver must instal software client :-(
- SERVER: OrbitFiles.com {***--}
- SPEC : 6 GB total! 50 MB file limit.
- PROS : Huge size limit, advanced profile and sharing options
- CONS : Requires registration, file limit
- SERVER: SendUIt.com {**---}
- SPEC : 100 MB file limit
- PROS : VERY simple interface, lets you e-mail URL yourself
- CONS : File limit, few options
- SERVER: YouSendIt.com {**---}
- SPEC : 1 GB total. 500 MB file limit.
- PROS : Decent interface, can enter message and sender address.
- CONS : File limit. Forces you to register and trial account only lets you send one file at a time.
- SERVER: MailBigFile.com {*----}
- SPEC : 100 MB file limit
- PROS : Simple interface
- CONS : Can't seem to add multiple recipients, single file at a time, files expire after 3 days only
...
Notice that almost most of these servers have to option to get a pro account for a few dollars a month to increase file limits etc, but most of us would never pay for something that can be done for free!
NOTE: I used to use a site called [www.eatlime.com] (formerly [www.youswap.com]), but as of July 2008 the site NO LONGER support this service.
Links
- Reviewing IT - Sharing large files... bit outdated.
- Download Squad... have forum discussing different download services
