Top 8 Free and Safe File Sharing Sites in 2022

Author: Nichlaus O.

May 19, 2021

Free file sharing sites make work easier at no extra charge! Whether it is collaborating over work projects or sending and receiving large files, these sites are a great help in the workplace and at home.

However, file sharing sites can expose you to some risks like:

  • Spam - selling your email address to spam lists.
  • Identity theft – your credit card data or bank account details may be stolen.
  • Malware - viruses or extortion software can be uploaded to your computer.

We recommend only using well known, safe file transfer websites that scan files uploaded files for viruses and other malicious software.

These sites have free-to-use file transfer services. Some only need you to have an account first, which is a small formality.

Top 8 Free and Safe File Sharing Sites

 

Site

Pros

Cons

1 Dropbox

No account needed

Has very good app integration.

2 GB limit per file transfer

Has a 30-day trial limit.

2 WeTransfer

No account needed

Track transfer downloads by time and recipient.

Set limit for how long shared files are available for download.

Numerous App integration

2 GB limit per file transfer
3 Google Drive

Unlimited file transfers.

Free office suite- docs, sheets,

Support for numerous files – Microsoft, apple, adobe and general audio and video files.

Google account registration needed.
4 Box

Built for collaboration with numerous office applications.

Integrates with apps like Salesforce, AutoCAD, ServiceNow

Account registration needed.

250MB file transfer limit.

5 Mediafire

10 GB free file storage.

Supports multiple uploads.

Account registration needed.

4 GB limit per file share.

6 Microsoft OneDrive Offers productivity tools

Account registration needed

Office apps not included in basic/free version.

7 Hightail Highly collaborative with majority of the business apps in creative type jobs

Account registration needed.

14-day free trial period for free version.

8 TransferNow

No account needed.

HTTPS secured transfers.

Files stay available for 7 days

5 GB file limit per transfer

 

Dropbox

Dropbox is a file hosting service operated by the American company Dropbox, Inc., headquartered in San Francisco, California, US that offers cloud storage, file synchronization, personal cloud, and client software. Dropbox has computer apps for Microsoft Windows, Apple macOS, and Linux computers, and mobile apps for iOS, Android, and Windows Phone smartphones and tablets. It also offers a website interface.

WeTransfer

WeTransfer is an internet-based computer file transfer service based in the Netherlands. WeTransfer offers a free service where users can send up to two gigabytes of files, and a paid option, called WeTransfer Pro where users can send up to 200 gigabytes of files. WeTransfer Pro also allows users to add passwords to files. With a free account, users can send files of up to 2 GB. With a Pro account 200 GB files can be transferred, 1 TB stored, and password and personalization options.

Google Drive

Google Drive is a file storage and synchronization service developed by Google. It allows users to store files in the cloud (on Google's servers), synchronize files across devices, and share files. In addition to a web interface, Google Drive offers apps with offline capabilities for Windows and macOS computers, and Android and iOS smartphones and tablets. Google Drive encompasses Google Docs, Google Sheets, and Google Slides, which are a part of the Google Docs Editors office suite that permits collaborative editing of documents, spreadsheets, presentations, drawings, forms, and more. Files created and edited through the Google Docs suite are saved in Google Drive.

Box

Box, Inc. (formerly Box.net) is a public company based in Redwood City, California. It develops and markets cloud-based content management, collaboration, and file sharing tools for businesses.  Its software allows users to store and manage files in an online folder system accessible from any device. Users can then comment on the files, share them, apply workflows, and implement security and governance policies.

Mediafire

MediaFire is a file hosting, file synchronization, and cloud storage service based in Shenandoah, Texas, United States. The company provides client software for Microsoft Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, BlackBerry 10, and web browsers. Both public and private file sharing are supported through MediaFire. Private file sharing consists of a user sharing directly to another user or a group of users and is done through importing contacts or email. The account holder is able to control read or write permissions on a per user basis. Public sharing consists of a user getting a public link, which allows anyone with the link to download the file. Public links are always read only. MediaFire also supports sharing with one-time links, which are only valid for a single use.

Microsoft OneDrive

Microsoft OneDrive (formerly SkyDrive) is a file hosting service that Microsoft operates. It enables registered users to share and synchronize their files. OneDrive also works as the storage back-end of the web version of Microsoft Office. OneDrive offers 5 GB of storage space free of charge, with 100 GB, 1 TB, and 6 TB storage options available either separately or with Office 365 subscriptions. The OneDrive client app adds file synchronization and cloud backup features to its device. The app comes bundled with Microsoft Windows and is available for macOS, Android, iOS, Windows Phone, Xbox 360, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X and S. In addition, Microsoft Office apps directly integrate with OneDrive.

Hightail (formerly YouSendIt)

Hightail, formerly YouSendIt, is a cloud service that lets users send, receive, digitally sign and synchronize files.  Users of the Hightail service upload a file to Hightail's servers, and recipients are provided with a link where the file can be downloaded. Users can also manage files in an online folder system, or create desktop folders that access online storage. In addition to Hightail.com, the service can be used from desktop applications for Windows and macOS, or from mobile apps for iOS and Android devices.

TransferNow

TransferNow is a simple, quick and secure free solution to send large files and big documents up to 50 GB per transfer. No registration required.

 


Sources: Wikipedia

Report a Scam!

Have you fallen for a hoax, bought a fake product? Report the site and warn others!

Help & Info

Popular Stories

As the influence of the internet rises, so does the prevalence of online scams. There are fraudsters making all kinds of claims to trap victims online - from fake investment opportunities to online stores - and the internet allows them to operate from any part of the world with anonymity. The ability to spot online scams is an important skill to have as the virtual world is increasingly becoming a part of every facet of our lives. The below tips will help you identify the signs which can indicate that a website could be a scam. Common Sense: Too Good To Be True When looking for goods online, a great deal can be very enticing. A Gucci bag or a new iPhone for half the price? Who wouldn’t want to grab such a deal? Scammers know this too and try to take advantage of the fact. If an online deal looks too good to be true, think twice and double-check things. The easiest way to do this is to simply check out the same product at competing websites (that you trust). If the difference in prices is huge, it might be better to double-check the rest of the website. Check Out the Social Media Links Social media is a core part of ecommerce businesses these days and consumers often expect online shops to have a social media presence. Scammers know this and often insert logos of social media sites on their websites. Scratching beneath the surface often reveals this fu

So the worst has come to pass - you realise you parted with your money too fast, and the site you used was a scam - what now? Well first of all, don’t despair!! If you think you have been scammed, the first port of call when having an issue is to simply ask for a refund. This is the first and easiest step to determine whether you are dealing with a genuine company or scammers. Sadly, getting your money back from a scammer is not as simple as just asking.  If you are indeed dealing with scammers, the procedure (and chance) of getting your money back varies depending on the payment method you used. PayPal Debit card/Credit card Bank transfer Wire transfer Google Pay Bitcoin PayPal If you used PayPal, you have a strong chance of getting your money back if you were scammed. On their website, you can file a dispute within 180 calendar days of your purchase. Conditions to file a dispute: The simplest situation is that you ordered from an online store and it has not arrived. In this case this is what PayPal states: "If your order never shows up and the seller can't provide proof of shipment or delivery, you'll get a full refund. It's that simple." The scammer has sent you a completely different item. For example, you ordered a PlayStation 4, but instead received only a Playstation controller.  The condition of the item was misrepresented on the product page. This could be the