Best free file sharing
Services let you offload your file downloads
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By
Mark Joseph Edwards
New file-sharing sites are springing up faster than campaign promises, but which one is the best for your needs? The answer depends largely on how much disk space and bandwidth you require, as well as which special features you find most important in the six services I tested. |
File-sharing sites make mega-uploads a breeze
There's nothing new about file-sharing services. Among the increasingly crowded field are a few mainstays that have been around for years. There are also a few shining stars, though as you might suspect, no two services offer the same set of features. That can make it difficult to find the one that best meets your needs.
For example, you might use a file-sharing service to distribute software that you've developed or to share your photographs or audio and video recordings. Any file that would tax your own system to disseminate is a good candidate to drop onto a file-sharing site.
Just to be clear, these file-sharing sites are not synonymous with peer-to-peer networks. You use file-sharing services just as you would any other Web service: via your browser. You don't need any additional software to upload and download the files, unlike BitTorrent and other peer-to-peer systems.
Although you might consider using the tested file-sharing sites for remote backup, the services are not really intended for that purpose. For one thing, your uploaded files might wind up in search results, because search engines often index these services' download pages. You may or may not want your files to be discoverable, so keep this in mind when considering what to upload.
Of the file-sharing sites I reviewed, Megaupload is the clear choice. The company offers more storage and more features than the competition. MediaFire claims to offer unlimited storage, but I seriously doubt that the service can make good on that boast.
A downside of the free services is their varying policies on deleting your files. Some remove content you haven't accessed within a specified period, while others delete things if you haven't signed in for a while. These limitations are expressed in Table 1 as "time limit."
Table 1: Feature comparison of file-sharing services.
|
Service |
Max. Upload (free/paid) |
Time Limit (free/paid) |
Maximum Storage |
Upload Methods |
|
Megaupload |
500MB/unlimited |
21 days/none |
1TB |
Web/desktop/remote |
|
File Factory |
300MB/300MB |
90 days/none |
500GB |
Web/desktop |
|
RapidShare |
200MB/2GB |
90 days/none |
500GB |
Web/desktop/remote |
|
MediaFire |
100MB/10GB |
30 days/none |
unlimited |
Web/remote |
|
File Qube |
150MB/500MB* |
30 days/none |
2GB |
Web |
|
FileDen |
50MB/1GB |
60 days/none |
15GB |
Web |
*FileQube offers 500MB of storage only to people who register for a free account.
As the table indicates, the services vary considerably. Be sure to review each offering's complete set of features before you sign up. Some file-sharing services provide bells and whistles that you might find advantageous, depending on your needs.
In rating the providers, I place a lot of weight on their Web interface, since that's the primary method for using the services. Other considerations are price, upload methods, and storage-space allotments.
#1: MEGAUPLOAD
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$10/mo.
98 Free version 95 More info |
Megaupload is the king of file-sharing sites, providing more bandwidth and storage than the competition. The company also uses lots of interesting Flash tools for managing your uploads and downloads.
At first glance, the site looks a little confusing. After a few minutes of mousing over various icons, however, the gist of how to use the site becomes clear. The service's premium version costs from U.S. $10 a month to $200 for a lifetime membership.
#2: FILEFACTORY
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$6/mo.
90 Free version 89 More info |
File Factory provides a good set of file-sharing services whether you register for a free account or pay for its premium offerings. By registering, you get access to media widgets for sharing music, videos, and other files, plus a decent file-management interface for your uploads.
Paid accounts give you more storage and bandwidth, for prices ranging from $12 for two months to $90 for two years.
Keep on eye on these guys — they could become a formidable threat in the file-sharing arena.
#3: RAPIDSHARE
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$6.50/mo.
89 Free version 88 More info |
The popular RapidShare service is a close third behind MegaUpload and File Factory in terms of overall features. Even though I see more links around the Internet to RapidShare than to any other file-sharing system, the service offers only half the maximum storage of my top choice, but it charges several dollars a month less.
The site's interface presents its many functions simply and cleanly. Premium accounts get more storage and bandwidth for prices of $6.50 for three days and $77 for a year. (RapidShare prices its accounts in euros, so the price in U.S. dollars will fluctuate with the exchange rate.)
#4: MEDIAFIRE
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$7/mo.
87 Free version 85 More info |
As with most of the competition, MediaFire sports a clean and easy-to-use site, although it doesn't indicate how long files are stored with paid accounts. The service claims to offer unlimited disk space and bandwidth, which certainly makes it unique. I have my doubts whenever a company makes such broad statements. How would MediaFire react if someone uploaded a terabyte of data, for example?
Paid accounts costs $7 per month; if you prepay for a year, you get two months for free, although the site doesn't make it clear whether the two free months are included in the 12-month period or tacked onto the end.
#5: FILE QUBE
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Free
87 More info |
One of the newer entrants in the file-sharing market is File Qube, which adds some interesting wrinkles to the field. While the service's storage allotments are lower than those of some bigger competitors, the site features a clean design and such cool extras as widgets for publishing media files on other sites.
Right now, File Qube isn't offering any paid plans, although that might change. While you can use the service without signing up for an account, registering lifts the file-size and overall storage limits that are imposed on anonymous accounts.
#6: FILEDEN
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$50 version
75 Free version 70 More info |
FileDen's Web interface is outright annoying due to the large, square Google ads at the top of every screen. The ads force you to scroll down to find the actual page content. Paid accounts remove the ads, but I'm guessing that most people will simply choose another service instead. Then again, maybe these ad-laden pages don't bother you.
Of all the file-sharing services I looked at, FileDen is the only one that requires registration to use the service. Along with the free package, the company offers paid accounts at prices from $50 to $200 per year, depending on the features you require. Paid accounts get priority tech support, access to folder creation and management tools, and other features in addition to the ad-free interface.
Mark Joseph Edwards is a senior contributing editor of Windows IT Pro Magazine and regularly writes for its Security Matters blog. He's a network engineer, freelance writer, and the author of Internet Security with Windows NT.
New free file sharing site offers free faxing
This new online file sharing service extends the concept of sharing files to include email, phone messages and even sending and receiving faxes, though the latter is currently USA only. No registration is required and it's totally free. A lot to like here. Thanks to subscriber L.S.D. for the suggestion.
http://drop.io/
Another way to share files with friends
Web services like FolderShare are an attractive option for sharing and transferring files and photos between family and friends, but sometimes you want more flexibility and better performance than these services offer.
P2P sharing and IMS are other viable options, but many users are wary of these services because of perceived security risks.
But there is another option.
Running your own web server certainly gives you complete flexibility and, with a fast internet connection, sizzling performance. However, setting up a web server is normally a task beyond the capabilities of the average user. Until now, that is.
HFS HTTP File Server [1] is an extraordinary application. It allows you to set up your own web server just by clicking the HFS program. There is no installation; it runs directly from the tiny 551KB .exe file.
Setup is equally simple; there is none.
Usage simply involves dropping and dragging any files you want to share into the HFS window.
To share your files just give your friends the address of your webpage that appears at the top of the HFS window. When they enter this in their browser they can see and download the files you have chosen to share. They can't see or access any of your other files.
If you wish, you can set access permission for specific files or can enable access only from visitors with specific IPs. It's all under your control.
So what's the downside?
If your PC is behind a router you may need to set up port forwarding. That's not difficult - just consult your router manual.
Ideally, you need a fixed IP address from your ISP, but HFS HTTP File Server will still work with a dynamically allocated IP, it's just less convenient.
Finally, there are potential security issues. I know some people have HFS HTTP File Server running all the time. Some even use it for their own personal website [2].
This may be fine, but personally I think you should only have a personal web server like this running when you need it. That's the safest option. More HFS security tips here [3]
Those reservations aside, HFS HTTP File Server is a most impressive product. Hey, how could a fully functioning web server that's only 551KB and runs from a USB stick without configuration be anything else.
This product was suggested by Peter Herbert, one of the volunteer category editors from the new freeware wiki site
HFS HTTP File Server: Freeware, Windows 98-2003, 551KB
[1] http://www.rejetto.com/
[2] http://www.myistop.com/blogs/mail4kaja/host-your-site-home-pc
[3] http://www.rejetto.com/wiki/index.php?title=HFS:_Secure_your_server
FolderShare reborn
FolderShare is a free web service that allows you to automatically synchronize and/or share files in a given folder across multiple computers. It also allows you access to these files from any computer. It was a great service until Microsoft acquired the company a couple of years ago and since then it has slowly faded while other similar services have moved forward. Now Microsoft has finally unveiled an updated version of the product plus a new website. Thanks to subscriber Adriel Luo for the letting me know.
https://www.foldershare.com/welcome.aspx
Free alternatives to expensive software
I've mentioned this site [1] before that lists Open Source alternatives to popular commercial programs, but here's another site [2], suggested by subscriber Yoel Polsky, that does the same thing a different way. A most useful resource.
[1] http://whdb.com/2008/the-top-50-proprietary-programs-that-drive-you-crazy-and-their-open-source-alternatives/
[2] http://www.osalt.com/
What extension is that?
You know the story; someone sends you a file with a strange extension like .MOD and you can't open it. At this free site they will tell you what kind of file it is and, hopefully, what program you need to open it. There are several sites like this, including some that are more comprehensive in their coverage, but what I liked about this one is that it covers files from Mac and Linux as well as Windows, and has provision for user comments, some of which are more informative than the site information itself.
http://www.dotwhat.net
How to send large email files from your own PC
Regular contributor Leib Moscovitz recently wrote, "Gizmo I've recently been using a really terrific program for sending large files, called Pando [1]. It's very easy to use and extremely fast, in fact I clocked it against YouSendIt [2] and it was something like 25% faster, not to mention the fact that it works quietly in the background without forcing you to stay on the web page you're currently using, as YouSendIt does. The program is officially only in closed beta although you can download it directly from Softpedia [3] without having to contact Pando directly." Thanks Leib for another great find. Pando works by setting up a server on your PC that allows you to send and receive large files without the size limitations of your email program. Nothing new here but what is new is the slick and hassle-free way Pando does it. To send someone a large file, you just click the Pando tray icon, enter the recipient's email address, drag and drop the files (or folders) you want to send into Pando and then hit "send". This initiates a file transfer to Pando's servers. The recipient will then automatically receive an email telling them about the files you have just sent along with instructions how they can retrieve them. Recipients not using Pando are instructed to download the Pando program and install it. Pando users simply have to click a link to start the download. I tried it with a couple of my friends and it worked flawlessly and fast. I particularly liked the way a recipient can start downloading before the uploading is complete; a real time saver for very large files. On the downside there is little integration with email clients, it requires both the sender and user to be using Pando and files only remain on the server for 14 days. I also wonder about the security risk of having a server running on your PC. Those reservations aside, it's a great solution to a common problem. Free beta, Windows 2000 and later or OS X V10+, 2MB.
[1] http://www.pando.com
[2] http://www.yousendit.com
[3] http://www.softpedia.com/get/Internet/E-mail/E-mail-Clients/Pando.shtml