We’ve reviewed hundreds of hosting companies, shortlisting the best file hosting services based on security, storage space and file size limits.
Then, we consulted our database of thousands of customer reviews, studying their feedback on the best services to store and share files.
What Is File Hosting?
File hosting is any service that allows you to upload and maintain your files on someone else’s server. Whether they’re hosted on a physical server or use cloud storage, the effect is the same. You upload your files to the server, and there they stay until you take them off (unless the company removes them for some reason).
Wondering if file hosting is right for you, or considering other types of hosting like secure hosting or small business hosting? Consider this: When we say “files,” we’re not talking about storage for the files for your website, but rather personal files, documents, image files, and the like.
How To Choose a File Hosting Service
It’s important to compare companies and plans carefully. For example, many companies may offer file hosting and file sharing. However, these companies may provide vastly different configurations of basic features and tools.
Keep the following criteria in mind when researching hosts:
Comparison by value: Simply comparing one company to another on price and total available storage won’t tell you very much. Instead, look closely at the targeted user for each provider, as well as the features and pricing.
File hosting security options: While file-sharing services are useful applications of digital technology, they can be used for improper or even illegal purposes. Doing your research keeps you protected and proactive. The government has shut down more than one file-sharing site for violating anti-privacy and intellectual property laws.
Password protection: The front line of digital security for storage and hosting services is the password. Strong passwords are essential to protect your files. Most file hosts require a combination of a unique username and a password.
File encryption: Encryption is a significant aspect of digital data security.Your files should ideally be encrypted not only for sharing services but also for cloud storage. Encryption is a feature to check for in any potential file-hosting company.
Private SSL certificates: Your host company must provide a secure connection between its server and your web browser while you’re accessing your files.. HTTPS is the secure, encrypted version of HTTP or hypertext transfer protocol.
Low-cost and high-value, Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) encryption, and recovery
4shared offers 15 GB of free storage and a max upload file size of 2 GB. It also offers a variety of features for this free version of their platform, including multiple file upload, video streaming, and antivirus and password protection for folders.
Upgrading to the premium version, which costs $9.95 per month, will provide you with 100 GB of storage and a maximum upload file size of 100 GB. Plus, you get bonus features such as ad-free sharing, SSL data encryption, direct-download links, file recovery, and the ability to edit text files within the app.
4shared is compatible with the iOS, Android, and BlackBerry operating systems for mobile devices, as well as the Chrome, FireFox, Opera, and Safari web browsers.
Pros and cons of 4shared
Pros
Generous free plans for users on a budget
Compatible across all common operating systems such as BlackBerry, Safari, Chrome, FireFox, Opera, iOS, and Android
Compatible with Windows if needed, automatic backups, free version available
iCloud is built into every Apple device, providing users with 5 GB of free storage. More storage is available for an additional fee.
This file-hosting option will be particularly appealing to Apple users. With iCloud Drive, you can access your files from the Files app on iOS and the Finder on your Macintosh. And whenever you make a change to a file on your drive, the update is automatically shared across all devices. Information in your Apple apps, such as phone numbers in Contacts and saved bookmarks in Safari, will be updated across all your devices as well.
This service is compatible with Windows PCs and the web, although some features are only available on Apple devices.
And with features such as automatic backup and two-factor authentication, you can protect yourself from unauthorized access and data loss.
Pros and cons of iCloud
Pros
Automatic Apple syncing features for data protection and management
Free version available for users on a budget
Cons
Some may encounter limited functionality if not using Apple ecosystem
No unlimited storage option
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Box
Best for large businesses
Native data loss protection for additional security
Advanced security features for peace of mind
24/7 customer support functionality (with purchase of the tool)
Simple to use, unlimited hosting options, higher storage thresholds
Box offers four plans for file hosting: Starter, Business, Business Plus, and Enterprise.
The Starter plan provides 100 GB of storage, collaboration with up to 100 users, and built-in integrations for Office 365 and Google Suite.
With the Business plan, you get unlimited storage, data loss protection, and custom branding. And the extra features that come with the plans above include unlimited external collaborators, document watermarking, and password policy enforcement.
Pros and cons of Box
Pros
Unlimited storage options available
Free trial to “try before you buy”
Cons
No free plan
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Dropbox
Best for feature variation and availability
24/7 phone support (via paid plan membership)
Advanced security features (such as AES and SSL) for your comfort and confidence
256-bit AES security, unlimited storage options, training support available
Dropbox is one of the biggest names in file hosting, thanks in large part to their feature-rich and ultra-secure services. You won’t be able to access those high-end services for free, though. And even if you’re paying for a plan, you’ll need to be paying for the most expensive one in order to get 24/7 phone support (the Standard and Advanced plans get 24/7 live chat support and phone support during business hours).
Pros and cons of Dropbox
Pros
Feature-rich file hosting plans
Stronger security practices than average tools in the space
Cons
No free plan available
Phone support is an extra, paid feature
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ElephantDrive
Best for increased storage
End-to-end encryption for added security
Automatic backup to protect and manage your data
Simple structure is easy-to-use for beginners and novices
Begins with 1 TB of storage, phone support, and no maximum storage limits
ElephantDrive offers more storage than many other providers at similar price points. They would ideally also offer a free plan and 24/7 support, though.
Pros and cons of ElephantDrive
Pros
Unlimited storage options available to suit personal and business needs
Frequently Asked Questions About File Hosting Services
What is file deletion?
File deletion usually only happens if your account is terminated or if your files are deemed to violate someone else’s intellectual property rights.
For example, suppose you upload a file containing copyrighted music to which you do not own the rights or a license, and the copyright holder — usually the musician or a licensing agency — registers a complaint with your hosting provider. In that case, the company can delete the file from its servers.
What are the disadvantages of manual file hosting?
Permissioning in this context is a bit crude. It’s not easy to decide who specifically gets to see which files if you have a mix of things that you want to be public or private.
There are no built-in sharing features to send file links to people. There’s also no syncing capability; it’s easy to get version mismatch if you’re frequently accessing and editing files from different locations.
What are the benefits of using file-sharing services?
The benefit of using these apps is that they are completely yours. You control everything about them. This is good for privacy and ensures you’ll always have access to your files.
On the other hand, this also means more responsibility for setting up and managing your file system.
