How to send large files for free

Free email services typically allow file at­tach­ments up to a limit of 20 to 25 MB. To send larger files for free, al­ter­na­tives such as cloud providers and file hosting services are the way to go, offering cloud storage and download links. Below, we present the best options for large file transfer with and without an account.

How to send large files for free (no account required)

HiDrive Share

HiDrive Share is the free solution for sending big files from IONOS. You can upload files of up to 2 GB on the service’s website without an account. Once you’ve uploaded the files, you’ll receive a download link that you can share with any number of people via email or chat for 7 days. At the end of this period, the uploaded files will au­to­mat­i­cal­ly and ir­re­versibly be deleted.

Swis­sTrans­fer

With the free file hosting provider Swis­sTrans­fer, you can use up to 50 GB of password-protected storage space. You don’t need to sign up or create an account to get access to the storage space. Your data will be stored on certified servers that are located in Switzer­land, and is re­triev­able for up to 30 days. Swis­sTrans­fer also uses end-to-end en­cryp­tion to protect users’ data. You can share files of up to 2 GB in size via a dedicated download link.

We­Trans­fer

The file hosting service We­Trans­fer offers 2GB of free storage space, which is sig­nif­i­cant­ly less storage space than Swis­sTrans­fer. Uploaded files remain available for seven days and can be shared with others via an access link. With We­Trans­fer, you enter the recipient’s address and your own email address and then send the recipient a download link. With a paid plan, you can send even larger files.

Trans­fer­XL

With 10 GB of free storage space available per day, Trans­fer­XL offers lots of online storage space, not to mention end-to-end en­cryp­tion, and a maximum of 5 GB for sending download links to other users. Uploaded files are stored for up to one week and you can select the server location before uploading.

How to send large files for free (account required)

Dropbox

Dropbox lets users share large files up to 100 MB via Dropbox servers for free. You can directly copy a link for files or folders and send it via email or send an email in­vi­ta­tion via your Dropbox account. You can also specify whether the recipient of the link should have editing rights or read-only rights. At least one free Dropbox account is required for both sending and receiving links.

OneDrive

With Microsoft’s cloud storage OneDrive, you can use up to 5 GB for free to store files on secure Microsoft servers. To share files, first set read or edit per­mis­sions, then copy the OneDrive link into your email and send it to the person or people you want to share the file with.

iCloud

Apple’s cloud storage iCloud lets you store up to 5GB of files of all kinds. All you need is a valid Apple ID. You can use iCloud to send links to others via email so they can access the files. Al­ter­na­tive­ly, you can share folders with other users via the sharing options.

Google Drive

With a Google account, you can use Google’s cloud storage Google Drive and get 15 GB of storage space for free. There, you can store your files and determine who you share them with and who has read and/or edit access. Simply copy the link into an email to give someone access to your files. You can also easily include files as Google Drive links or at­tach­ments when writing an email with your Gmail account.