How to Send Large Files Over the Internet

Have you ever tried to email a file to someone, only for your mail service to tell you that it’s too big? It is a frustrating but common problem. Most email services restrict the size of file attachments. For example, Gmail and Yahoo limit the size of attached files to 25MB, so that 100MB video isn’t going through.

The good news is that email is not your only choice. Many file storage services and standalone file-transfer websites can take on the job. Here are several ways to send large files over the internet.

Store Files Online

One easy solution is to upload the file to a cloud storage service, which the other person can then access and use to download whatever you couldn’t send over email. Many of these services offer free tiers with enough storage space to solve your issue:

• Box offers 10GB of free storage.

• Dropbox offers 2GB of free storage.

• Google Drive offers 15GB of free storage.

• iCloud offers 5GB of free storage.

• OneDrive offers 5GB of free storage.

However, these services also have upload limits, which can get in the way of your plans. Check to see if your file can be accommodated on any of these services, otherwise you may need to upgrade to a paid plan.

Upload Large Files With Gmail

Gmail limits attached files to 25MB; anything over that is automatically placed inside Google Drive. You can go through the process by starting a new email in Gmail and then attaching the file you want to send. If it’s too large, Google will generate a link to it in Google Drive.

When you try to send your email, you are asked to provide your recipient access to the file and set their permissions. By default, the file is available just for viewing. You can opt to allow the person to review or edit the file, but they would need a Google account to perform either action.

Once the email has been sent, the recipient can click the link in the email to view the file within Google Drive.

Upload Large Files With Yahoo Mail

If you try to send a large file through Yahoo, an alert prompts you to save the file to either Google Drive or Dropbox. Choose your preferred service and then manually upload the file to it. You can then return to your email, click File Attachment, and then choose Share Files From Google Drive or Share Files From Dropbox.

Choose the file, and it shows up as an email attachment. Once your email is sent, your recipient can click the file attachment to view it in Google Drive or Dropbox.

Upload Large Files With Outlook

If you try to send something too large through Outlook, you will get a prompt to upload the file to OneDrive and share it through a link. Select the Upload and share as a OneDrive Personal link option and then send your message. The recipient can then open and view the file from your OneDrive space.

Upload to a File Transfer Site

Instead of relying on email, you can instead turn to a third-party file transfer website. Upload the file you wish to send and enter your name and email address along with the name and address of your recipient. The site houses the file online and sends your recipient a download link.

How large can the file be? That depends on the service, and in some cases, what you are willing to pay.

DropSend

The DropSend(Opens in a new window) file transfer site lets you compose an email to your recipient and attach the file you want to send. Your recipient receives an email with a link to the file for viewing or downloading. DropSend offers multiple tiered pricing plans, though you can still sign up for free(Opens in a new window).

The free Lite plan allows you to share files as large as 4GB with up to five sends a month. If you need to send larger files, any paid plan will remove the upload limit. The Basic plan costs $5 a month and allows 25 sends per month and 10 GB of online storage. The Standard and Professional plans will add more sends, storage space, and other features.

MyAirBridge

With MyAirBridge(Opens in a new window), you can upload a file and email a link to a specific recipient or just upload the file and generate a link to share with anyone. You can send a file as large as 20GB for free. A basic $2.99-per-month plan covers files up to 50GB, the $10.99-per-month Pro plan handles files as hefty as 250GB, and the $65.99-per-month Enterprise plan allows files of an unlimited size.

Filemail

Filemail(Opens in a new window) is a quick and simple website. Fill out an email form with your address and its destination, compose your message, attach your file, and send your message. The recipient will then receive a link to the file so they can download it or view it online.

The free option allows files as large as 5GB, the $10-per-month Filemail Pro plan supports sizes as large as 25GB, and the $15-per-month Business plan handles unlimited file sizes.

WeTransfer

The popular WeTransfer(Opens in a new window) service lets you select the file you want to send from your computer, add the email addresses, and then compose your message. When ready, click the Transfer button to send your file to the recipient.

A free ad-supported WeTransfer account allows file sizes up to 2GB. You don’t need to create an account, but guests have to enter an emailed verification code for each transfer. For $11 per month, a WeTransfer Pro account allows files as large as 200GB as well as other benefits. And for $19 a month, a Premium account allows for unlimited file transfers.

Send Anywhere

Operated by Rakuten Symphony Korea based in Seoul, Send Anywhere(Opens in a new window) is an ad-supported file transfer site that can send files as large as 10GB for free. You can upload a file, then secure it with a six-digit key or create an account to generate a shareable link or send an email.

If you need to transfer even larger files, a Rakuten Drive Pro plan(Opens in a new window) supports file sizes up to 50GB at a cost of $7.99 a month.

Bitwarden Send

The Bitwarden password manager also offers a way to securely send large files over the internet with Bitwarden Send. You can share text with a free account. The ability to send files is included with a $10 annual subscription.

To share a file as large as 500MB, go to the Send page at Bitwarden’s site and click the Create a New Send button. Enter a name for the file you want to share, then attach the file. You can also set a deletion date, an expiration date, and a password before sharing.

Once you send the file, it will be uploaded to Bitwarden. You then send a link to the file to your recipients, and they download the file through that link.

Wormhole

Wormhole(Opens in a new window) is a simple but effective site that helps you securely share files up to 10GB in size using end-to-end encryption and links that automatically expire. Just upload the file you want to share, and a link is generated. Share that link with your recipient, who can then download the file. The shared link conveniently expires after 24 hours.

SendBig

SendBig(Opens in a new window) lets you share files as large as 30GB for free. Just drag and drop the file or folder you want to send onto the email panel, add the address for the recipient, write a message, and then send the email.

By signing up for a free Pro account, you can password-protect your files, change their expiration date, receive an email when someone downloads a shared file, and set the maximum number of downloads per file.

ToffeeShare

Offering a different spin on the file sharing website, ToffeeShare(Opens in a new window) is a free service that uses a peer-to-peer sharing method, which means your file isn’t stored online but is sent directly to the recipient. For this to work, you simply drag and drop or manually upload your file at the site—the size doesn’t matter.

A link to your file is generated, which you then share with the recipient. You just need to keep the page open while the other person downloads the file directly on their end. You can also opt to share your file just with nearby devices, similar to Apple’s AirDrop.