Sharing Large Files

Some files are just too big for email.

Yup. Email is still a thing. It is a very effective method of communications. But email systems do have some pretty stringent restrictions when it comes to attachments. Some systems top out at total 10 MB limit for attachments; GMail is a little more generous topping out at 25 MB.

Of course, for many of us, this is still not enough. Fortunately, we got options. Some easy, some free and some powerful options. Here are my top three recommendations.

Share large files by a download link rather than by email attachment

Cloud Storage

Google GMail, Microsoft Outlook and Apple iCloud all include free storage via Drive, OneDrive and iCloud. GMail leads the pack with 10GB of space included in the free plan. Each service also a premium paid service with even more storage.

The best part about these services is that are seamlessly integrated into their associated email providers. In most cases, it’s just a matter of finding the files and ‘attaching’ it to the email; in reality the service generates a link to the file in the cloud. The recipient can easily click on the link and download the file.

Recipients are often prompted to sign in to access the shared file, but usually this can be bypassed.

WeTransfer

There are several cloud based file transfer services, but none are as simple, convenient and free as WeTransfer.

No registration or fees required. Just visit the site, enter your email, the recipient’s email address, upload up to 2GB of files and voila! Your files are off. Just like that. Super easy!

The recipient doesn’t need to sign up. All they have to do is click the link within seven days to download the files.

Cooler still, you get a email with the link for reference and an email when the files are downloaded so you know the files have been delivered.

Dropbox

Dropbox is a cloud storage service that can be used to share large files. Dropbox does offer 2GB of free storage, but its the paid plan that is most robust. The basic plan costs US$9.99 per month or US$99.00 per year when paid annually.

Dropbox’s super power is its seamless syncing across multiple devices and the cloud for easy access. This is great if you use multiple services like a laptop, table and phone together and if you are working with a team of people collaborating on a single file or group of files. Cool right?

It’s not integrated with email like the services mentioned above, but you can lift a download link to the file or folder you wish to share and drop that link in an email or instant message. You can also issue or revoke permissions as needed.

Other Options

The list is file sharing services is long and includes DropSend, SendBigFiles, HighTail, Box, MediaFire and pCloud to name a few. These paid services are all pretty good, easy to navigate and reliable. So feel free to chose an option that suites you best.

If you are more tech savvy than most, you could also explore using a VPN, compressed files or FTP. All these options are reliable but definitely require more technical expertise that the average user.

Now you have no excuse; share that presentation, that video or that super cool photo like the boss you are.