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If you need to send a large file to someone without using email, you may want to know what services and tools are available without needing tech knowledge or using file transfer protocol (FTP).
Using the email attachment approach for files that are larger than one megabyte isn't effective and it may never reach the recipient because some Internet providers don't allow large files through. It also hogs the recipient's email as it takes time to download depending on the file size, the person's Internet connection speed and recipient's host provider.
Private P2P file sharing tools like Grouper, TrustyFiles or even Groove, QNext and several others are possible solutions, but they are not as popular or as easy to adopt for users needing to send a large file on an occasional basis.
Thankfully, several vendors have recognized the need for a Web-based file exchange service to answer this market demand, and offer products ranging from bare-bones file uploading services (targeted mostly to individuals and home users) to fully customizable secure online file storage and distribution systems. Of course, the price tag differs for each of these levels of sophistication with available options for each budget level.
If you have experience with these and other vendors (we're adding more — there's a lot of them!), please share them in the comments section.
Here are some of the large-file-exchange Web services and their most important features.
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20) MediaSend
Cincopa MediaSend is a web service to send large files without using email attachments. There's no limit to the size of the files you can send and receivers can preview the file before even starting the download.
The Lite version gives 1GB of free space per month, but you can upgrade to one of the premium plans and get more storage space while removing monthly limitations.
Files sent with Cincopa MediaSend can be viewed and received on any desktop computer or 3G-enabled mobile phone. Files can also be converted or directly uploaded to social media sites like YouTube or Flickr using MediaSend plugins. Registration is needed.
http://www.cincopa.com/MediaSend/start.aspx
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19) Sendshack
Sendshack is a free service that allows you to store and send files bigger than 1GB that won't fit in a normal e-mail attachment. Files are stored on a private page for exclusive access.
Files uploaded to Sendshack can be shared on Facebook, MySpace or any other blog page. Just browse your hard disk for the file you want to upload and add an e-mail recipient address if you want to send the file.
Registration is needed.
http://sendshack.com/
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18) Verzend.be
Verzend.be is a free hosting service you can use to send large files overcoming email attachment limitations. Just upload one or multiple files (up to 1024MB each), and then share the direct link Verzend.be provides you or, if you prefer, send an e-mail with all the instructions to pick the file.
You can upload any type of file you want, but bear in mind that files uploaded to Verzend.be are always removed from the system after 21 days of inactivity, regardless if they have been picked up or not.
http://www.verzend.be/
