In one of my previous posts, I mentioned about couple of options by which you can share files with family and friends. Out of that list, some of the options let you upload any kind of file and your files remain on their server forever.
They have utility software, plug-ins and toolbar which you can install if you want and your online space will reflect in your computer as any other hard drive. So you could just drag and drop files in there.
With the explosion of online space providers, I think if you want, you may get virtually unlimited space for free which you can use for storing songs, videos, photos and documents. The only limitation sometimes is the max file size limit (generally 100MB per file). Other than that, they are very promising options.

Best part, you can even share them with anyone if you want. Just send them a mail with the link to files or folders. Moreover you get access to your files anywhere, anytime.

You no longer need to email files, carry flash drives and all. You may save an extra $100 for an external HDD as well, another cost saving.

I am listing some of the options which I tried and would definitely recommend anyone interested. For complete review and restrictions, read my previous post on the same topic.
  1. Adrive (50GB): Adrive is good for those looking for bigger space at one location. The interface is not that good. But you can download/upload entire folder and it gives you a feel of working with Windows Explorer.
  2. Megaupload (50GB) – Desktop Application, Toolbar and Plug-in available
  3. Humyo (30GB): Huge storage. Simple and easy interface. Just sign up and you are ready to rock. Best thing about Humyo : You can watch and listen to your media files directly with humyo and automatically embed a media player for your content in emails and in social networking sites like Facebook.
  4. Xdrive (5GB): Desktop Application also available. Gives you a feel like any other drive on your computer. Just drag and drop files.
  5. Windows Live Skydrive (5GB): Along with your Hotmail or Live email id, you get this Skydrive too. You can create password protected personal folders to store your own files in it. Or you can create a folder to share it with family, friends or the entire world. Just drag and drop files in it and share the link. Skydrive is simply your FLASH DRIVE ON THE GO.
  6. 4shared (5GB): 100MB file size limit. Almost same interface as of Windows Explorer. Only condition is you need to login to your account once in 30 days for the files not get deleted. You can view, play and use your files online or embed them in your blog.
  7. DivShare (5GB): Simple and easy interface. Just sign up and you are ready to rock. Best thing about Divshare is, it lets you read, play or view your uploaded files. With that I mean, if the file is a mp3, listen to it. If it is a document, read it online. You don’t need to download to use that file. Your files remain on Divshare forever unless you delete it.
  8. Driveway (2GB): Share a file or folder. Files deleted only on account closure. Play, view and embed your files, direct editing of office files through Zoho.
  9. iDrive (2GB): Full feature online backup and mapped network drive.
  10. Mediafire (Unlimited): Extremely Fast and reliable. Seems like no option to download a folder. You will have to download files one by one.
  11. Easyshare (Unlimited): Easy file upload upto 100MB per file.
  12. Zshare (Unlimited): Anonymously upload and host any file, image, video, audio or flash upto 100MB in size. Files are deleted after 60 days of inactivity.
  13. Yourfilehost (Unlimited): Anonymously upload any file, image, video, audio upto 25MB.
  14. Rapidshare (Unlimited): Well know file hosting client. Max file size 200MB per file. Files deleted after 90 days of inactivity.
  15. Megashares : Single session upload limit is 10GB. This can be a single file up to 10GB, multiple files or a folder. This service is really good if your single file size is more than 100MB as other services limit file size there.
  16. Ziddu (Unlimited): Ziddu is also one of the services which provides unlimited storage online. And the visitor can use those files online, like playing music, videos and viewing photos etc. One thing I noticed though this site is filled with advertisements and pop-up ads. So be careful while browsing and use extra care while clicking somewhere. Rest everything looks OK. (Thanks Wongsk for providing information in the comment.)  Ziddu has been reported as Malware site.  Please DO NOT USE it.

So what I am trying to stress is when you have so many options available for your files to be shared and being accessible wherever you want it. Then why do you need to worry about space any more? Why do you need to invest in big external HDD of 500GB and 1TB costing you around $100-$500?

Over to you:

  • What are your views about it?
  • Do you think these services are reliable?
  • Would you like to try them and see how much beneficial they are for you?

Related Posts:

Update 1 (08/23/08): Added Ziddu to the list.
Update 2 (11/14/08): Xdrive will close on January 12, 2009.  Thanks to Lou Gutentag @ Comment # 8


Suggested Posts…