Best Free Online File Sharing Services

File sharing is the practice of distributing or providing access to digitally stored information, such as computer programs, multimedia (audio, video), documents, or any other digital files.

It may be implemented through a variety of storage, centralized computer file server installations on computer networks, world wide web based hyperlinked documents, and the use of distributed peer-to-peer networking.

File Hosting and Sharing Services

File hosting services are a simple alternative to hosting a file(s) on your computer or any other devices. These are sometimes used together with Internet collaboration tools such as email, forums, blogs, or any other medium in which links to direct downloads from file hosting services can be embedded. These sites typically host files so that others can download them.

Sending large files requires that you upload your file to an online storage service, grab the download link that is provided to you and then share this download link to your recipient(s). Online storage spaces can either be free or paid.

Peer To Peer File Sharing

A direct connection is established between two computers and no server is involved during the file transfer online. The P2P protocol poses no restriction on the size of the file you want to send. The key thing here is that both the sender and the receiver have to be online at the same time to transfer large files. All P2P services are completely free to use.

Users can use software that connects in to a peer-to-peer network to search for shared files on the computers of other users (peers) connected to the network. Files of interest can then be downloaded directly from other users on the network. Typically, large files are broken down into smaller chunks, which may be obtained from multiple peers and then reassembled by the downloader. This is done while the peer is simultaneously uploading the chunks it already has to other peers.

4Shared is free file sharing service with 5GB free space to upload to share your files. 4Shared needs login to access to upload and share your files. You can use Google account or OpenID to sign up.

Visit 4Shared

Simple interface and online collaboration Box.net file sharing allow user to upload up to 25 MB with 1 GB free space. Users can share files in public and also can acess from mobile. You have to register here before uploading any file. So you can password protect your files as well.

Features:
* Registration is required
* Offer Premium account services
* Simple and Secure
* Free trial
* Unlimited Bandwidth for Paid plans

Visit Box

Driveway is a free file hosting service that allows you to upload and share files. Web-based and downloadable applications for storage and retrieval of your data; supported on Windows, Linux /Unix and Mac platforms.

Features:
* Upload files up to 500 MB
* 2 GB free storage space
* Plugin to upload files from your desktop
* Offers premium account services

Visit Driveway

With elegant and impressive interface Drop.io let user to share private files in just two clicks. Drop.io provides 100 MB free space for free user with no sign up. You can upload any type of media files and share via email, RSS, Twitter, FaceBook, SMS.

Features:
* 100 MB size limit
* Share files on Social Media Sites
* No registration required
* Users can password protect their files
* Simple interface, easy to use

Visit drop.io

"FileDropper.com was created as a fresh alternative for online file storage to sites like MegaUpload and RapidShare. Unlike those sites, we do not reel the user in and make them wait for annoying countdown timers. We do not hide the download link with aggressively placed ads."

The files are kept forever as long as they are being downloaded. If the files are not downloaded even once within 30 days consecutively they are removed. If you have a premium account your files are never deleted. Maximum file upload size 5 GB!!

Visit File Dropper

MediaFire let users to share both images and files with 100 MB per file, more over MediaFire offers unlimited storage, uploads, downloads, bandwidth and finally it's totally free with no sign up.

Features:
* No Registration Required
* File size up to 100 MB
* Unlimited storage
* No software required
* Unlimited Downloads
* Unlimited Uploads
* Image Galleries

Visit MediaFire

Probably one of the best free online file sharing providers. The procedure to upload file is easy, just get a free signup there and start uploading.

Features:
* Unlimited Uploads
* Unlimited Downloads per file
* Share Files Safely and Privately
* Completely Free File Hosting
* Send a file to anyone, anywhere, up to 300 MB

Visit Sendspace

Wikisend is another free file sharing site with maximum upload size 100 MB and no signup. Users can add friendly file name with password for extra privacy, download from 1-7 days will be faster than 8-90 days.

Features:
* Simple and easy to use
* Upload up to 100 MB
* No Registration Requires
* Password Protection

Visit WikiSend

Dushare is a simple direct file-transfer service. It makes sending unlimited file sizes between two people as simple as a clicking a link.

* Send your files to your peers directly (P2P) with no server for upload/download.
* Send unlimited file sizes in the fastest possible speed between two peers.
* Chat with your peers to communicate any messages or comments.

Visit Dushare

eMule is one of the biggest and most reliable peer-to-peer file sharing clients around the world. Many developers contribute to the project, so the network gets more and more efficient with every new version.

eMule runs on all versions of Windows released after Windows 95. If you have Windows Vista, it is recommended that you always use the latest eMule release (eMule 0.50a).

Visit eMule

Files Over Miles does what it sounds like it does: it helps you send files over miles. Their subtitle "Browser-to-Browser Filesharing" tells us that it fits our criteria. When someone sets up a file to send, a URL is created. Just share the URL and stay online for the actual sending.

Visit Files Over Miles

iSendr is an on-demand direct file transfer system. It makes transferring any size file between two people as simple as clicking a link! iSendr offers security through obfuscation and via a user-set password at the end-point.

Visit iSendr

This file sharing site makes it easy referring to "on-the-fly" transfers and all that. Be careful, just as in any of these peer-to-peer tools, don't try to open the created link yourself. Doing that will only be letting you download the file back to yourself and blocking your friend from downloading it.

Visit Jetbytes

Pando is free P2P software that makes downloading, streaming and sharing large media files fast, easy and fun.

Features:
* Send 1GB files & folders via any email.
* Share photos, video and documents over IM.
* Post downloadable videos & photos to any site.

Visit Pando

You will notice that PipeBytes actually gives some sharing options. You can either send the recipient the URL or a pick-up code which they will enter at the home page. Easy either way.

Visit PipeBytes