Email caps out at 25MB. Cloud storage gets complicated. You just need to send a file. Here are your actual options, from quickest to most secure.
The Quick Answer
For most people: use a file sharing link.
- Go to filegrab.link
- Copy the link that appears
- Drop your file on the page
- Send the link
That’s it. Works for files up to 100MB free, 2GB with Pro.
Method 1: File Sharing Services
Services like FileGrab, WeTransfer, and Smash exist specifically for this. You upload a file, get a link, share the link. Recipient clicks and downloads.
Pros:
- Works with any file size (depending on service)
- Recipient doesn’t need an account
- No compression or quality loss
- Links can expire for security
Cons:
- Files live on someone else’s servers
- Free tiers have limits
Best services by limit:
| Service | Free Limit | Pro Limit |
|---|---|---|
| Smash | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| SwissTransfer | 50GB | 50GB |
| Wormhole | 10GB | 10GB |
| SendGB | 5GB | 5GB |
| FileGrab | 100MB | 2GB |
| WeTransfer | 2GB | 200GB |
FileGrab’s limit is smaller, but you get the link before uploading - useful when you’re on a call and want to share immediately.
Method 2: Cloud Storage Links
Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive - upload the file to your cloud storage and share a link.
Pros:
- You probably already have an account
- Files stay in your storage
- Easy to organize
Cons:
- Eats into your storage quota
- Recipient might need to sign in
- Permissions can be confusing
How to do it:
- Upload file to Google Drive / Dropbox / OneDrive
- Right-click > Share > Get link
- Set permissions (anyone with link can view)
- Send the link
Method 3: Compression
Sometimes the file itself is the problem. A folder of photos at full resolution takes gigabytes. Compressed, it might be hundreds of megabytes.
ZIP compression:
- Mac: Right-click folder > Compress
- Windows: Right-click > Send to > Compressed folder
- Doesn’t reduce quality, just packs files together
Actual compression (lossy):
- Images: Export at lower resolution or quality
- Videos: Re-encode at lower bitrate
- Reduces file size but loses some quality
Compression works best for folders with many small files. For single large files like videos, it won’t help much.
Method 4: Split the File
Some tools let you split a large file into smaller chunks, send them separately, and rejoin on the other end.
When this makes sense:
- Uploading to services with hard limits
- Unreliable internet that drops large uploads
- When you need to fit under email limits (not recommended)
Tools:
- 7-Zip (Windows/Mac) can split archives
splitcommand on Mac/Linux
This is more hassle than using a proper file sharing service. Only use it if you have specific constraints.
Method 5: Physical Transfer
Sometimes the fastest way to move data is still a physical drive.
When this makes sense:
- Terabytes of data (faster than any internet)
- No internet access
- Maximum security (no servers involved)
Copy to USB drive, hand it over in person. Simple and often underrated.
Sending Large Videos
Video files are the most common “large file” problem. A 10-minute 4K video can easily hit 5-10GB.
Options:
-
Link sharing (recommended): FileGrab, WeTransfer, etc. No quality loss.
-
Video hosting: YouTube, Vimeo with unlisted links. They’ll re-encode it, which might affect quality.
-
Compression: Re-encode at a lower bitrate using HandBrake or similar. Trade quality for size.
-
Cloud storage: Google Drive, Dropbox. Works but burns through your quota.
For client work or anything where quality matters, avoid re-encoding. Use a file sharing link and send the original.
Sending to Multiple People
Most methods give you a single link that anyone can use. Share that link with everyone who needs it.
With FileGrab: Create one link, send it to multiple people. They can all download. If you enable collaboration, they can also upload.
With cloud storage: Set sharing to “anyone with link” rather than inviting specific emails. Less friction for recipients.
Common Problems
”Upload keeps failing”
Large uploads on spotty connections often fail midway. Solutions:
- Use a service that supports resumable uploads (FileGrab multipart handles this)
- Try a wired connection instead of WiFi
- Upload during off-peak hours
”File is too big for free tier”
Options:
- Pay for a larger tier (usually cheapest long-term)
- Use a service with higher free limits (SwissTransfer: 50GB)
- Compress the file if quality isn’t critical
- Split into multiple links
”Recipient says they can’t download”
Common causes:
- Link expired
- Wrong permissions (need “anyone with link”)
- Recipient’s network blocks file downloads
- File type blocked by their IT
Try: Send a fresh link, confirm they can access other websites normally.
Security Considerations
Large files are often work files - client projects, financial documents, design assets. Consider:
- Expiration: Set links to expire after the recipient downloads
- Passwords: Add password protection for sensitive content
- Encryption: For truly sensitive files, use E2E encryption (FileGrab Pro)
- Visibility: Private links don’t appear in search engines
Don’t use personal cloud storage for client work. Keep professional files separate.
The Bottom Line
For most situations: file sharing link services are the answer. They exist specifically for this problem and handle it well.
Try FileGrab - Get your link immediately, add files as they’re ready.