Large file transfer solution

With moderate network bandwidth, you need to project the time for data transfer over the network. Use the following table to estimate the time and based on that, choose between an offline transfer or over the network transfer.

If the network transfer is projected to be too slow, you should use a physical device. If the network transfer is projected to be reasonable, then you can use any of the following tools detailed in High network bandwidth.

If using offline data transfer, use the following table to understand the differences in key capabilities. If using online data transfer, use the table in the following section for high network bandwidth. Using a VPN or Virtual Private Network is a useful technique for transferring files because it allows you to avoid broadband traffic management restrictions placed by your internet service provider ISP. Many ISPs control upload bandwidth to restrict the size of files that you can upload.

A VPN is used to encrypt your traffic and keep your online activities confidential. So if the quality is a large concern, it is advisable to try an alternative tool. USB flash drives are an excellent alternative if you need to transfer files to a friend or colleague. USB flash drives range in size from 2 GB to 1 TB giving you more than enough space to upload files even of the densest content.

Once the computer recognizes the drive you can drag-and-drop the files you want into it. After that, you can eject the draft and take it to another device or individual.

If you want simplicity and reliability then this one is a good choice. FTP or File transfer protocol is an old school way to transfer files. FTP was designed specifically for transferring large files.

All you need to do to start using the protocol is an FTP client. The good thing about FTP is that what it lacks in security it makes up for with its file management capabilities. The advantages of FTP make it one of the more efficient ways to send files back and forth. The only problem with FTP is that it is not secure. Usernames and passwords are transferred in plain text so an attacker can read the contents of files. To protect against attackers use FTP for non-confidential data.

SSH serves to prevent unauthorized users from viewing passwords and other information through encryption while files are in transit. To transfer a file the server must authenticate the client user and verify the channel is secure. The inbuilt security features of SFTP make it ideal for sending sensitive data in an enterprise environment.

In addition, if regulatory compliance is a concern then the lack of user activity logs can cause problems. With this protocol, file transfers can be authenticated through passwords, client certificates, and server certificates. The main advantage of FTPS is that its encryption makes it a safe way to send confidential information. It also has the strength of being compliant with most regulatory frameworks.

Every time a file transfer is made a port will be opened, which could be an entry point for an attacker. As a consequence, many firewalls make it difficult to use FTPS connections. There are many free and paid online services that enable you to upload large files and Jumpshare is one of the most popular. Jumpshare allows you to send up to MB of files for free and record them as shareable links. Whoever has the link can then access the file content. If you compare this with the 25 MB limit of most email services, there is a substantial difference.

These tools are also very user-friendly. All operating systems support FTP and there are plenty of websites and add-ons which support uploading and downloading from within your browser, such as FireFTP. The only downside to this is that you need to have access to a remote server like a web hosting service.

Many companies like DriveHQ offer some free storage space 5GB , and prices can compare very favorably with cloud storage providers. True to its name, MediaFire is a trailblazer. Register for a free account and you get 10GB of storage. Connect your Facebook and Twitter accounts, install the mobile app, and refer friends to earn up to 40GB of bonus space. You can upload files either directly from your computer or the web, and generate a link which will allow others to download your files from the MediaFire website.

Another handy premium feature is one-time links which make sure that once your recipient downloads your files, they're no longer accessible. Hightail formerly YouSendIt has been made with business users in mind. The free Lite version of Hightail only allows sharing of files up to MB in size.

There's also no limit on the number of people who can access a file at any given time. WeTransfer is one of the simplest services to use for sharing large files. A few clicks of the mouse and the website will automatically send files for you, and these will be available to download for seven days.

Everything is very user-friendly, too, with a step-by-step wizard to walk you through the upload process. You will also have the option to set a password to download files — plus you can customise backgrounds and emails if you wish. Formerly BitTorrent Sync, this handy utility uses the BitTorrent protocol — designed specifically for sharing big files — to sync files directly between your devices. This peer-to-peer connection can be used for two or more devices, such as a phone and desktop PC.

Resilio Sync also supports generating secure links to allow your contacts to download files from your folders. Binfer is the perfect file transfer software to send large files. With Binfer, you can share large files swiftly, efficiently, and securely with friends and co-workers.

It is a great alternative to other large file transfer solutions such as Dropbox, Google Drive, and email. Even if you drag and drop thousands of files or folders, folder structure is preserved and replicated on the recipients device. Our file sharing software is perfect large file transfers since it auto resumes in case of an interrupted connection.