In Depth: 5 quick, free and easy ways to send large files

It's late at night, and you've a really important 200MB file that you need to get to someone else. Now. What do you do?

Use email? No good, the file is far larger than the attachment limit you get with most accounts.

File hosting site? They have limits, too, often 100MB or so. And if the file contains confidential data then you may not want it on a publicly accessible server.

Transfer it with an instant messaging tool? Even if you can coordinate this with the recipient, messaging software isn't reliable when it comes to transferring large files.

What you need is a file transfer service. Something that accepts enormous files, but doesn't leave them potentially accessible to others. And not only should it be free, but ideally it won't require registration, either. Too much to ask for? Maybe not - we've been checking out all the leading file transfer sites, and found five excellent services that are well worth a try.

1. PipeBytes

PipeBytes, for instance, is an ingenious web service that sets up a connection between your PC and the recipients. Point the site to a file on your PC, you'll be given a key number and the file will start to upload. Email that key to the recipient, and on entering it they can start downloading the file, even if you've not finished uploading it yet. The service is free, with no size limits or registration required, but bandwidth is limited to 512 Kbps unless you purchase a "Speed Pass" (priced from $0.99 for 24 hours).

Maximum number of files: 1
Maximum transfer size: Unlimited
Recipients: 1
Registration required: No

2. TransferBigFiles

TransferBigFiles does have a file size limit, though as this is 1GB it may not worry you too much. By way of compensation, it's very easy to use, letting you upload up to 5 files simultaneously. And if you also enter the email addresses of the recipients (up to 5 are supported) then they'll be emailed download links, saving you a little hassle. It was also fast when we tried it out, and again there's no registration required.

Maximum number of files: 5
Maximum transfer size: 1 GB
Recipients: 5
Registration required: No

3. Files2U

Files2U is able to transfer files up to an impressive 2GB in size. The service comes with a Java-based browser applet that makes it easy to add whatever files or folders you need to the transfer queue. And an in-depth report sent to the recipient clearly identifies everything they'll be downloading. Unfortunately you're limited to a maximum of two recipients, and must enter your name and email address to use the service, but if you don't mind about that then Files2U makes a good transfer choice for bigger files.

Maximum number of files: Unlimited
Maximum transfer size: 2 GB
Recipients: 2
Registration required: Email address must be entered

4. Pando

Pando is more than just a web site, as it allows you to send files of up to 1GB from its own application, or within Yahoo! Mail, Hotmail, AOL Mail, Gmail or Outlook. While this makes it more convenient to send files, it also means the recipient has to install the Pando client before they receive anything. And you'll both have to register with the company. There's a little more hassle with this service than some of the competition, then, but it performed well for us, and does include other interesting features like simple access to free Internet TV.

Maximum number of files: Unlimited
Maximum transfer size: 1 GB
Recipients: Unlimited
Registration required: Yes

5. SendThisFile

SendThisFile is a commercial service, but they do also provide a useful free account that allows file transfers of any size, at least in theory (your browser might stop at 2GB). 128-bit SSL encryption helps keep your transfers secure, too. You have to create an account before you can send anything, and bandwidth is throttled unless you sign up for a paid plan, but SendThisFile seemed speedy when we tried it and is definitely worth considering.

Maximum number of files: 1 (with free account)
Maximum transfer size: Unlimited
Recipients: 1 (with free account)
Registration required: Yes

Verdict

So which service should you choose, then?

SendThisFile has some great features, but you need to sign up for a paid account to get the most from it. And while Pando makes it very easy to send files, asking the recipient to install the Pando client to receive anything may not always be convenient.

If you need to send a huge file, then - something between 1 and 2GB - then we'd opt for Files2U, with PipeBytes as a backup if you prefer to avoid registration.

But if you can live with the 1GB file size limit then we'd pick TransferBigFiles. It's easy to use, fast and with no signup required, an effective mix of power and good design that makes the site our clear file transfer winner.