Top 8 Popular-Used File Sharing Software (Features, Security, and Limitations)

Due to fierce market competition, developers have made it easy to fulfill the needs of the business by developing file-sharing software. Nowadays, file sharing software is used to send and receive the data within no time and also ensure the security of the files. These file-sharing tools have unique features, and one can choose them according to their needs.

Why Do You Need One File Sharing Software?

• It saves time on traditional file sharing methods
• It also prevents the loss of data
• It also saves money because most of the software has a free version as well.
• Files can be set to only accessible to particular persons or all persons with the link you want.
• Easy to collaborate with your customers and team members with file sharing software.

What Do You Need to Consider When Choosing a File Sharing Tool?

It is crucial to choose an appropriate file sharing software according to your need. Here are some factors you need to consider while choosing a file sharing tool

• Interface

Easy to use interface saves your a lot of time to learn how to use it. When you choose a file sharing tool, you should pick up one with a simple and under-friendly UI.

• Features

It refers to what functions the file sharing program provides. These include file sharing ways, supported file formats, data storage, sharing status tracking, etc.

• Security

A file sharing software should have a system to ensure secure file sharing. It can permit the protection of the file with a password and set different permissions for accessing the shared file.

• Storage Limitations

Before purchasing a file sharing software, ensure that it has appropriate in-build storage for the files. Also, confirm whether it provides extra storage with a subscription beyond this limit.

• File Size Limitations

Most file sharing software has a maximum file size limit that you can share. Always make sure that this limit is compatible with your file size or not.

• File Formats Supported

Multiple file formats are supported by the best file sharing software, such as image files, video files, text files, archive files, PDFs, etc. Choose the software that supports your files.

• Free Version Limitations

Almost every file sharing software has a free version available but with certain limitations regarding the days of availability and size of the files. If you only want to use the free version, you should check this in detail.

• Price

A lifetime free version is available for some file sharing software but with limitations. However, you can purchase the software from the price plans available for diverse business needs. When you choose one paid file sharing platform, you need to compare their price plan and pick the most affordable one.

8 Best File Sharing Platform

1. Google Drive

Google Drive is the best file sharing platform that Store, share, and collaborate files from your mobile device, tablet, or computer. It helps in secure data transfer.

Features:

• Google Drive can share and store data for future use, which can be accessed online and offline.
• It is one of the secure file sharing platforms because it has built-in protection against spam, malware, and ransomware.
• Google Drive is among the people’s first file-sharing collaboration tools, which integrates docs, slides, sheets, and cloud-native collaboration tools in real-time.

Interface:

It is a Google-based application and has an easy interface.

Security:

Google Drive has built-in security, which detects and blocks spam, malware, and phishing threats. Data is end-to-end encrypted.

Storage Limitations:

15 GB of free storage is provided and shared among Google Drive, Gmail, and Google Photos

File Size Limitations:

The maximum file size you can send a single time is 1.02 million characters, and about 50MB of data transfer is allowed.

File Formats Supported:

• Text files (.TXT)
• Archive files (.ZIP, RAR,)
• Audio formats (MP3, MPEG)
• Image files (PNG, JPEG, GIF, SVG)
• Video files (MPEG4, WebM, 3GPP, .MOV, .AVI)
• Markup/Code (HTML, CSS, PHP, java)

Free Version Limitations:

• Less data (15 GB) as compared to the paid version (2TB)
• No target audience, business Emails, or team sharing in the free version.
• Google meetings are not saved in Drive.

Price:

Both free and paid versions are available for this large file sharing platform.

You can choose a suitable price plan from the following,

1. It costs 1.99$ / month with 100 GB
2. It costs 2.99$ / month for 200 GB
3. It costs $9 / month for 2 TB

System Requirements:

Drive is a file sharing app for pc and mobile phones as well.

It is supported by Windows, Mac, Android, and Linux operating systems.

2. Wetransfer

Wetransfer is one of the internet-based file sharing programs worldwide, founded in 2009. It enables you to send files and share them for public review with confidence.

Features:

• Content and file management
• File sharing and transfer
• Document storage
• Download tracking with email

Interface:

We transfer has a very easy interface. You can use this file sharing platform by signing up with an account.

Security:

This file sharing app has a TLS encryption tool for security and uses two-factor authentication for registered users.

Storage Limitations:

Free versions have low data storage capacity as compared to pro-versions.

With Wetransfer Pro, you can store 1TB of data per user; with premium, unlimited data can be stored.

File Size Limitations:

You can send 2GB of data in one attempt using the free version of Wetransfer and 200 GB via Pro-version.

File Formats Supported:

These include .jpeg/.jpg, .png, tiff/.tif .psd

Free Version Limitations:

Limited data storage and transfer as compared to the pro and premium versions.

Price:

The free version, Monthly, and yearly billing, Pro version (costs 10$/Month), and Premium Versions (Costs 19$/month) are available.

System Requirements:

Operating Systems that Wetransfer support are Windows for Pc, Mac, and Android.

3. Dropbox

Dropbox is the best file sharing platform that can store, sync, and share files with anyone if they have a Dropbox account.

Features:

• You can get real-time updates when you share files.
• You can organize shared folders into groups.
• Share files with your controls and permissions.

Interface: Easy to use just by creating an account and signing up. A mobile application is also available.

Security:

Properly encrypted and password-protected sharing. It is up to you whether you permit editing or just reading access.

Storage Limitations:

For a basic account, 2 GB, and for a business account,  5TB storage is allowed.

File Size Limitations:

Vary from 100 GB to 250 GB that can be sent.

File Formats Supported:

Adobe files, images, Microsoft files, raw images, and Text files.

Free Version Limitations:

The free version is available only for business purposes and is limited to 30 days, while no free version is available for personal use.

Price:

Monthly and yearly billing. The minimum price for a personal account is 9.99$ while for business is 15$/ user/ month

System Requirements:

Windows, Mac, Web, iOS, and Android

4. Onedrive

Onedrive is a real-time collaborative file sharing app that helps you share documents and photos with your family. This tool comes with a Windows system and is a great option if you are using a Windows computer.

Features:

One drive not only shares files but also can be used for document scanning in the mobile app.

Unexpected data loss can be recovered using the restore option in the bin

Interface:

Easy and simple to use.

Security:

It uses SSL encryption but only for business account holders.

Storage Limitations

Anyone who has a Microsoft account automatically receives 5GB of storage. If required, more data can be bought.

File Size Limitations:

The maximum file uploaded size so far was a file of 250 GB.

File Formats Supported:

Almost every type of file is supported, including pictures.

Free Version Limitations:

The free version only gives access to storage after signing up for the Microsoft account

Price:

The free version is available with 5GB of storage. And the business plan costs $19.99/year for 100 GB.

System Requirements:

It should be supported by Windows, Mac, web browsers, and Android.

5. Box

The box is a public company based in California founded in 2005. It is one of the best document sharing tools for collaboration. The box is the best file sharing app for pc, and it can be used on Android mobile phones.

Features:

• The Box allows collaboration so multiple people can work on the file.
• The Box shield prevents data breaches with security controls.
• Protect sensitive information and comply with regulations such as CCPA

Interface:

The interface is easy to use but not more than Google Drive.

Security:

It provides end-to-end data protection.

Storage Limitations:

For a free personal account, 250 Mbs are allowed, while for business, 5GB is allowed

File Size Limitations:

250MB of data can be sent in a single go.

File Formats Supported:

Almost every type of file format is supported

Free Version Limitations:

The free version limits the storage capacity and the amount of data allowed to share.

Price:

The free version is available, while business and enterprise plans (35$/Month) are also available for purchase.

System Requirements:

It is supported on Windows, Mac, and Web Browser

6. iCloud

Like all other file sharing collaboration tools, iCloud can share files and folders in iCloud Drive so other people can view and edit them. It is created for Mac and iPhone users. If you are those who own these devices, you can use this tool.

Features:

• You have. control over file sharing, if you are a participant, you can easily add or remove people from the file Drive
• iCloud also provides 5 GB of free storage upon login.

Interface:

It is based on Apple devices and has a modern and somewhat complex interface.

Security:

It is end-to-end encrypted.

Storage Limitations:

The maximum storage capacity is 4TB.

File Size Limitations:

You can easily share large files as well. A 50GB file can be shared through iCloud

File Formats Supported:

iCloud supports the following formats, i.e. GIF.JPEG.HEIF.HEVC.MP4.PNG.RAW**.TIFF

Free Version Limitations:

Limited data storage and limited file sharing capacity up to 5GB only.

Price:

A free trial version is available for 5GB of storage. Three other price plans are available for monthly packages, such as 2TB for 9.99$/month.

System Requirements:

It is Mac and Windows Compatible.

7. Hightail

Hightail as a cloud-based online collaboration file sharing application allows users to send, receive, sign and synchronize the files.

Features:

• Quick and secure file sharing
• Creative collaboration in real-time.
• Send large files with feedback.

Interface:

Easy to use and is just a single login away.

Security:

Files have controls and end-to-end encrypted

Storage Limitations:

You can save up to 2GB of data using the free version.

File Size Limitations:

You can upload a file of 100 MB.

File Formats Supported:

Files with image, video, audio, and document extensions can be supported.

Free Version Limitations:

Little Storage capacity of 2GB and limited duration of 2 weeks.

Price:

Free plan for two weeks

Monthly, Pro, Team, and Business Account (costs 36$/month).

System Requirements:

Windows, macOS, and web browsers.

8. Egnyte

Egnyte is a trusted and secure platform for data sharing. Using data controls prevents unauthorized contents of data from sharing.

Features:

• Best file sharing and collaboration tool.
• Ransomware detection and response to it
• Threat management.

Interface:

Easy to use for everyone.

Security:

Secure file transfer by user controls access

Storage Limitations:

Unlimited and customized for enterprise plans

File Size Limitations:

You can send or upload files of 100GB in one go.

File Formats Supported:

It supports all types of formats except Database files · pst · eml · ost · MDB · qbb

Free Version Limitations:

Limited for two weeks only.

Price:

Three packages are available: Business, enterprise lite, and enterprise.

System Requirements:

Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android

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Final Words

There is a lot of file sharing software on the market. Choosing the correct one is not an easy task. But you can make a decision as soon as possible after having an overview of this article. Just judge with all details we showed above and choose the most suitable one for personal use or business.

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