Have you ever needed to send a file to a friend or coworker, but didn’t want to install a new program just to share a file? Email attachments often don’t cut it, and you can’t just attach a zip file to a Tweet. Sounds like you need a webapp for file sharing. The good news is, there’s tons of services that let you share files easily today, even without creating an account or paying for a new monthly subscription.
We’ve scoured the net to find the best ways to share files online today. From apps that let you share huge files for a few days to ones that let you store a ton of stuff forever, there’s something here for everyone and likely some you’ve never heard of. Here’s what you need to share files seamlessly.
Ge.tt
Ge.tt
Ge.tt makes it dead simple to share files for a limited time. Just select files up to 2 GB that you want to send, and you’ll get a short URL for them almost instantly while they’re still uploading. They’ll be ready for download by anyone for the next 14 days.
- Price: Free
- Storage: Individual files up to 2 GB; saved for 14 days
- Requires: Any Modern Browser
CloudApp
CloudApp
CloudApp gained popularity as an extremely easy way to share files from your Mac menubar, but it works equally as good for sharing files directly from your browser. Upload up to ten 25 MB files per day for free, or upgrade for more storage. You can even add your own URL for personalized file sharing. And if you can install the app, it’s even easier directly from your Mac or PC (with FluffyApp).
- Price: Free; $5/month
- Storage: 25 MB/file and 10 files/day for free
- Requires: Account; modern browser or Mac/PC app
File Dropper
File Dropper
Need to share really big files? File Dropper lets you upload individual files as large as 5 GB! Files are kept online for 30 days after they’re last downloaded. The only downside is that the free account is a 14 day trial; after that, you’ll have to pay $0.99/month to keep using it.
- Price: Free 14 day trial; $0.99/month
- Storage: Individual files up to 5 GB; pro plans offer more storage
- Requires: Account; Any modern browser
Let's Crate
Let’s Crate
Let’s Crate brings a unique twist to file sharing. You upload and store your files in crates, which you can then share or just share individual files in the crates. Your files are stored as long as you need them, or you can delete them to make room in your crates for more files. Hmm … just like real crates!
- Price: Free; $9/month
- Storage: Six 50 MB crates for free; 10 GB file limit on pro account
- Requires: Account; modern browser
senduit
senduit
Need to send a file for just a short period of time? Senduit lets you upload a file and share it for between 30 minutes and 1 week. 2 clicks and your file’s ready to share, and you’ll never have to worry about deleting it to clear up space.
- Price: Free
- Storage: Files up to 100 MB; saved for up to 1 week
- Requires: Any modern browser
DropSend
DropSend
Sending a file directly to someone? DropSend lets you send up to 2 GB files directly to your recipient’s email address. Your uploaded files can also be 256-bit encrypted to make sure they stay private and secure.
- Price: Free; $5+/month pro accounts
- Storage: Individual files up to 2 GB; 5 file shares per month
- Requires: Account, modern browser
Box.net
Box.net
Box.net may be known as the enterprise document sharing standard, but it can be a handy tool for freelancers, small businesses, and more. You can upload files directly online, then manage their permissions and share them directly or with other Box.net users. Box.net also integrates with many apps, so it can be useful on the go, too.
- Price: Free; $9.99+/month
- Storage: Individual files up to 25 MB; 5 GB total storage for free
- Requires: Chrome; runs in any modern browser
Hotfile
Hotfile
Hotfile makes it easy to share files quickly. Select your files, and one click later they’ll be uploading and ready to share. Hotfile offers more storage than many one-click upload services, though do note that files will be deleted if they haven’t been accessed in 90 days, so keep the links active if you want to keep your files saved online.
- Price: Free; $9+/month pro accounts
- Storage: Individual files up to 400 MB; saved for 90 days
- Requires: Any modern browser
Skydrive
Windows Live Skydrive
Microsoft isn’t well known for making the most advanced webapps, but some of their newer ones are at least useful. Skydrive gives you 25 GB of free, online storage, and you can choose individual file permissions or share publicly. Skydrive integrates with Office Live for online document editing as well. Only problem is, to upload more than 5 files at once you’ll have to have Silverlight installed.
- Price: Free
- Storage: 25 GB storage, individual files up to 50 MB
- Requires: Windows Live ID, Silverlight required for multiple file upload
Dropbox
Dropbox
Dropbox is hands-down the best way to keep your files synced and shared, and is even the #1 app used by the Envato team. We’re all used to using it from our computers and mobile devices, but it also works great as a standalone webapp. You can upload up to 300 MB files from your browser and share them directly via shared or public folders. You can even get people to send you files to Dropbox with apps like AirDropper. There’s not enough good you can say about Dropbox!
- Price: Free; $9.99, $19.99/month
- Storage: 2 GB storage free; browser upload capped at 300 MB files
- Requires: Account; modern browser or desktop/mobile app
Conclusion
When you need to share files, whether forever or for a limited period, there’s tons of webapps ready to make it easy. You don’t have to fall back on ugly sites covered in ads, either. And, even if you only have access to a browser and can’t use a desktop app, you’ll still find it simple to get your files uploaded and shared. Do you have a favorite of the apps we featured, or did we miss your go-to app for simple file sharing? Share your favorite webapp for file sharing in the comments!