There are a lot of reasons to use cloud storage, whether it be to share some files with a friend or make your business easier. Despite the fact that file sharing sites are notorious for being abused as a source for piracy, still they are commonly used for legitimate purposes. There are also a lot of reasons NOT to use cloud storage, but I’m not going to get into that here on this post.
Here is our review of the top 15 file sharing sites for 2015. Unfortunately, number 15 and number 16 have dropped off the list since they have been taken down by the government or went out of business. Still, there are many options available. We listed them below in our order of preference.
1 SaberCatHost
REVIEW: 5GB of free storage space and very fast uploads and downloads. Options to upgrade to unlimited storage for specified periods of time. Clean and easy to use, works well with both web and mobile devices. You can use the site even without creating an account which is great. We can’t see any downsides to this service and highly recommend it.
2 Mega
6,500,000 Estimated Unique Monthly Visitors | 1,936 Quantcast Rank | 670 Alexa Rank | January 1, 2016.
REVIEW: Mega is the comeback for the infamous MegaUpload by Kim Dot Com, who was born in Germany and lives in New Zealand. Just a note, although Kim Dot Com is under investigation by the US in regards to MegaUpload and has been branded a “fugitive”, in fact he has never even been to the US which means that he literally cannot be a fugitive from the US. It’s all propaganda and unconstitutional absurdity.
Data privacy is the big incentive with Mega because Kim Dot Com has been fighting the anti-piracy mafia for some time. The site is easy to use, data speeds are relatively fast, it is not overloaded with ads, and offers 50GB of free space for the free plan.
The catch is that you only get 10GB of bandwidth, which means that even if you uploaded 50GB you couldn’t download it again on the free plan except over 5 months. Although the $10/month for 500GB is reasonable although a bit on the pricey side, the other catch is that in the $10 plan you only get 1TB of bandwidth, which means it’s not very viable for sharing large amounts of data unless you upgrade to the more expensive plans, and there are no unlimited downloads even with the most expensive plan.
We recommend Mega as a good uploading site, especially because of their hard work toward data privacy. However, for a few files it’s pretty good, but because of bandwidth limitations, for many files you might want to keep looking.
Data privacy is the big incentive with Mega because Kim Dot Com has been fighting the anti-piracy mafia for some time. The site is easy to use, data speeds are relatively fast, it is not overloaded with ads, and offers 50GB of free space for the free plan.
The catch is that you only get 10GB of bandwidth, which means that even if you uploaded 50GB you couldn’t download it again on the free plan except over 5 months. Although the $10/month for 500GB is reasonable although a bit on the pricey side, the other catch is that in the $10 plan you only get 1TB of bandwidth, which means it’s not very viable for sharing large amounts of data unless you upgrade to the more expensive plans, and there are no unlimited downloads even with the most expensive plan.
We recommend Mega as a good uploading site, especially because of their hard work toward data privacy. However, for a few files it’s pretty good, but because of bandwidth limitations, for many files you might want to keep looking.
3 DropBox
35,000,000 Estimated Unique Monthly Visitors | 314 Quantcast Rank | 110 Alexa Rank | January 1, 2016.
REVIEW: 2GB of free store space and slow uploads and downloads. Can upgrade to 1TB for $10/mo but no unlimited options. Website is not very easy to use. DropBox cannot be used without creating an account.
Although this is one of the most well-known file sharing sites, it’s mostly because they spend millions on marketing and advertising.
We believe that DropBox is way overrated and offers an inferior service than can be found elsewhere.
Although this is one of the most well-known file sharing sites, it’s mostly because they spend millions on marketing and advertising.
We believe that DropBox is way overrated and offers an inferior service than can be found elsewhere.
4 SkyDrive / OneDrive
16,000,000 Estimated Unique Monthly Visitors | 550 Quantcast Rank | NA Alexa Rank | January 1, 2016.
REVIEW: This is Microsoft’s answer for Google Drive. They offer 15GB free and the option to upgrade to 1TB for $10. It also links your Microsoft Office account. The $10 per month also includes a subscription to Office 365, the online version of Microsoft Office.
However, there are similar concerns as with Google regarding your data privacy. There is no telling who your files will be shared with. Because of this, TechReader does not recommend Skydrive or OneDrive.
However, there are similar concerns as with Google regarding your data privacy. There is no telling who your files will be shared with. Because of this, TechReader does not recommend Skydrive or OneDrive.
5 ZippyShare
6,250,000 Estimated Unique Monthly Visitors | 2,337 Quantcast Rank | 370 Alexa Rank | January 1, 2016.
REVIEW: Zippyshare doesn’t appear to have a limit to how many files you can upload. The catch is that you can only upload up to 200mb file size, and all files are removed after 30 days. Additionally, there doesn’t appear to be a premium option to keep files for longer or increase file size. As a result, there are limitations with this service.
It seems the site is funded by obtrusive, tricky ads on the download page. This means that your downloaders might be tricked to click on the wrong download link that might take them to a virus, adware, or unwanted advertising page.
The design is antiquated and flash-heavy which means it won’t work well on mobile devices. Overall it’s a viable service for temporary file sharing but not practical as your sole place for file uploading.
It seems the site is funded by obtrusive, tricky ads on the download page. This means that your downloaders might be tricked to click on the wrong download link that might take them to a virus, adware, or unwanted advertising page.
The design is antiquated and flash-heavy which means it won’t work well on mobile devices. Overall it’s a viable service for temporary file sharing but not practical as your sole place for file uploading.
6 Uploaded.net
6,000,000 Estimated Unique Monthly Visitors | 2,943 Quantcast Rank | 292 Alexa Rank | January 1, 2016.
REVIEW: Uploaded offers 2GB of free storage space, which have no expiration date as long as you create an account. They have a difficult to understand premium program, in two separate areas. One, as a downloader you can buy premium to get full download speed and additional features. The other plans are for increased storage space as an uploader but it is very, very expensive.
It is $11/month for 100GB, $49/month for 500GB, or a whopping $86/month for 1TB. Far too much money in my humble opinion, especially since you can buy a 1TB hard drive at the store for only $50 nowadays. Why pay almost double every month for a cloud storage? In our opinion at TechReader we recommend uploaded.net update their upload pricing to more modern pricing.
It is $11/month for 100GB, $49/month for 500GB, or a whopping $86/month for 1TB. Far too much money in my humble opinion, especially since you can buy a 1TB hard drive at the store for only $50 nowadays. Why pay almost double every month for a cloud storage? In our opinion at TechReader we recommend uploaded.net update their upload pricing to more modern pricing.
7 Box
6,750,000 Estimated Unique Monthly Visitors | 1,028 Quantcast Rank | 877 Alexa Rank | January 1, 2016.
REVIEW: They offer 10 GB of free space, but the upgrade is expensive, at $10/month for only 100GB of storage. The website is ok to use but the upload and download speeds are slow and you cannot use without first creating an account.
8 4Shared
21,000,000 Estimated Unique Monthly Visitors | 239 Quantcast Rank | 169 Alexa Rank | January 1, 2016.
REVIEW: Lots of ads. Website is clean and easy to use with 10GB free, but premium plan only offers 100GB and is more expensive at $10/month.
9 MediaFire
22,500,000 Estimated Unique Monthly Visitors | NA Quantcast Rank | 171 Alexa Rank | January 1, 2016.
REVIEW: Annoying to use, file uploads and downloads are slow. $5/mo to upgrade to 1TB but no unlimited options. Website is slow and annoying to use. Many ads. Cannot use without creating an account.
10 HighTail
4,500,000 Estimated Unique Monthly Visitors | 4,297 Quantcast Rank | 2,938 Alexa Rank | January 1, 2016.
REVIEW: HighTail has a 2GB upload limit and a 250MB file size limit. Not very much. However, for $16/month you can get unlimited storage and a file size limit of up to 10GB. They also offer custom branding for more expensive plans. The small amount of free storage leaves more to be desired. Others offer better plans.
11 SendSpace
4,000,000 Estimated Unique Monthly Visitors | 2,551 Quantcast Rank | 1,474 Alexa Rank | January 1, 2016.
REVIEW: For the free plan, there is a file size limitation of 300GB, all files are removed after 30 days, and ads are displayed. Also, the download speed is slowed for free users. The pro version is expensive, with a file size of up to 4GB and only 100GB/month bandwidth for $10/month. the $20/month plan allows 10GB file size and 300GB bandwidth, but this is on the pricier end.
Storage however is unlimited on the pro versions, but being that you can’t download it again kind of defeats the purpose.
Storage however is unlimited on the pro versions, but being that you can’t download it again kind of defeats the purpose.
12 Google Drive
18,500,000 Estimated Unique Monthly Visitors | 1,000 Quantcast Rank | NA Alexa Rank | January 1, 2016.
REVIEW: Cannot use without Google account. Concerns about data privacy. Although it offers the highest amount of storage for free, your data is not secure and can and will be fully viewed and read by Google employees and shared with unknown third parties without your knowledge or permission. Premium plan can upgrade to 1TB for $10, but you also cannot even use without a Google account. Forced to be linked to all your google accounts.
Due to concerns about data privacy, this service is NOT recommended by TechReader.
Due to concerns about data privacy, this service is NOT recommended by TechReader.
13 DepositFiles
4,750,000 Estimated Unique Monthly Visitors | 2,913 Quantcast Rank | 1,927 Alexa Rank | January 1, 2016.
REVIEW: It’s a bit difficult to use and the website is slow. Due to an icon-based design, it’s hard to tell what to click on, especially since the icons are not intuitive. DepositFiles offers up to 10GB file size for upload, and there doesn’t seem to be any limit to total storage. However, as a free or paid user you must upload a file every 90 days or your files get deleted.
The only significant benefit of their premium “gold” plan is that there is no time limit between downloads if you are paid. However, for their storage upgrade, there is a confusing external link to what I suppose is one of their other ventures, “gavitex”, where you get 25GB of free storage and the option to upgrade to 1TB for $10/month.
However, their legitimacy is dubious, as it gives you a sick feeling as if you are about to be scammed. We would not recommend this service.
The only significant benefit of their premium “gold” plan is that there is no time limit between downloads if you are paid. However, for their storage upgrade, there is a confusing external link to what I suppose is one of their other ventures, “gavitex”, where you get 25GB of free storage and the option to upgrade to 1TB for $10/month.
However, their legitimacy is dubious, as it gives you a sick feeling as if you are about to be scammed. We would not recommend this service.
14 iCloud
9,500,000 Estimated Unique Monthly Visitors | 1,536 Quantcast Rank | 987 Alexa Rank | January 1, 2016.
REVIEW: iCloud is Apple’s answer to Google Drive and OneDrive. Requires an Apple ID, even if you don’t want one. Requires accepting an extensive terms and conditions in order to use. Big warning sign. PAINFUL and extremely difficult to use. Lacks even the most basic file upload functionality. Only 1GB of free storage.
In the typical Apple way, iCloud offers far less in every way than others offer, while charging way more and demanding extensive requirements. Not only that but DOUBLE the cost that others are offering for an upgrade, at $20/month for a 1TB upgrade. Absurd. What a total and complete rip off. If you are in another country then it is even more expensive.
Due to absurd, ridiculous pricing, extremely small amount of storage, slow speeds, lack of compatibility and isolation to Apple services and devices, and extensive restrictions and waving of your rights as a consumer just to use the service, then for all these reasons and more we at TechReader definitely do not recommend iCloud and ranked this last on the list. It only makes the list at all because it is a well-known brand.
In the typical Apple way, iCloud offers far less in every way than others offer, while charging way more and demanding extensive requirements. Not only that but DOUBLE the cost that others are offering for an upgrade, at $20/month for a 1TB upgrade. Absurd. What a total and complete rip off. If you are in another country then it is even more expensive.
Due to absurd, ridiculous pricing, extremely small amount of storage, slow speeds, lack of compatibility and isolation to Apple services and devices, and extensive restrictions and waving of your rights as a consumer just to use the service, then for all these reasons and more we at TechReader definitely do not recommend iCloud and ranked this last on the list. It only makes the list at all because it is a well-known brand.
15OUT OF BUSINESS RapidShare.com
3,250,000 Estimated Unique Monthly Visitors | 7,217 Quantcast Rank | 2,084 Alexa Rank | January 1, 2016.
REVIEW: Rapidshare used to be one of the most popular file sharing sites on the internet. However, in 2013 they decided they would do away with the free plan and only offer a paid plan. This ultimately resulted in them losing most of their business and downsizing most of their staff shortly after this decision.
Finally, Rapidshare is closing business for good, and their website can no longer be used for file sharing. Now it just shows a notice saying they are shutting down this month, in March of 2015.
Finally, Rapidshare is closing business for good, and their website can no longer be used for file sharing. Now it just shows a notice saying they are shutting down this month, in March of 2015.
16OUT OF BUSINESS FileCrop.com
3,000,000 Estimated Unique Monthly Visitors | 14,239 Quantcast Rank | 5,823 Alexa Rank | January 1, 2016.
REVIEW: FileCrop used to be a site where you could search for files on other sites. Their website has been taken over by the UK police for allegations of copyright infringement.
There is a copycat site that popped up called FileCrop2 which merely is a search engine to search through files on mega.co.nz, but FileCrop2 is probably not in any way affiliated with the original FileCrop.
There is a copycat site that popped up called FileCrop2 which merely is a search engine to search through files on mega.co.nz, but FileCrop2 is probably not in any way affiliated with the original FileCrop.
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14 comments
14 thoughts on “15 Top Free File Hosting Sites 2015 | Reviews and Ratings”
Welcome my friend, Helper Cat says you need to register for that! :)
This is the best review I’ve read so far it was worth it
My brother recommended I may like this blog. He was once totally right. This actually made my day. You can’t imagine just how a lot time I had spent for this info! Thank you!
You are so interesting! I don’t believe I have read through a single thing like that before. So great to find another person with a few genuine thoughts on this subject. Really.. many thanks for starting this up. This website is something that is needed on the web, something with a bit of originality!
number one article it explained very well
i really appreciate the effort and time to took to make this, it really helped me
Great explanation! No wonder this was #1 in my Google search result for “best free filehosting”
It’s really helpful article for you. So Thanks for sharing this article with us.
Think twice before buying a “premium” account with “uploaded.net” if you’re looking to do heavy downloading. They have daily limits on the amount you can download which they conveniently don’t tell you about until you hit it.
I’m a premium uploader at SaberCatHost and have no problems whatsoever and am a very heavy downloader. There are zero daily limits for premium subscribers.
Thanks for the article! I agree, mediafire is slow and unresponsive. Thanks again. Rich
Re: 15 Top Free File Hosting Sites 2015 | Reviews and Ratings
Thank you for your article. I found it very helpful. Having written this article in March 2015, would you still rate these 15 Top Free File Hosting Sites the same as of November 2015?
Excellent article very well explained, that help you choase a good site of cloud storage, for to share some files with friends. Thanks
I have to disagree you on mediafire being slow.
Mediafire is slow for large files. If you have tiny files then it can be sufficient.