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The Internet has been around for decades now, and even though we all use it every day, the simple act of sending an electronic file to a friend isn’t always so simple. We’ve grown accustomed to e-mail and instant messengers, which work well for sending small handfuls of small files to small groups of people. As soon as you start trying to send anything en masse there are a lot of roadblocks. So what exactly is the best way to send a large file, or a lot of files, or—dare we say—a lot of large files?
Image courtesy xkcd.com
The number one most convenient thing you can do, in just about any case, is to compress your files. This has the huge benefit of leaving you with just a single file to worry about sending, no matter how many files you start with. Plus, by compressing your files, they will (typically) be smaller, meaning less time uploading as well as downloading.
It isn’t foolproof, though. Both compressing and decompressing a file takes time, and depending on the level of compression and size of the file, it can easily take longer to compress a file than it would to upload it at its full size. It’s important to find a balance between compression and speed, and some files lend themselves to compression better than others.
When you have files that are already in a highly compressed format, such as most photos and videos, you typically won’t save much space by compressing them further. Other files, such as data files, BMPs, and text files can compress very well. Some compression software will actually detect the best compression levels automatically on a per file basis, but be careful. This type of compression isn’t always lossless, meaning audio and image files may have their quality permanently lowered in order to save space. Always check in your compression software settings to ensure this doesn’t happen without your OK.
The ZIP format is natively supported in both Windows and Mac, but its performance is relatively poor, often dwarfed in both speed and compression quality by more comprehensive compression programs. This brings us to the next big question: which compression programs are the best? Well, here’s a quick look at three of our favorites.
WinRAR
Balance is key, and that’s what WinRAR does extremely well. Its RAR format may only take second place for its level of compression – not too shabby, though – but it is consistently the fastest when it comes to both packing and unpacking files. While RAR files are not native to Windows or Mac, many other compression programs are still capable of unpacking it, so the odds are in your favor that the recipient will be able to open the file you send him. Even if he can’t, WinRAR is available on Windows, OSX, and Linux, despite the name.
The biggest downside to WinRAR is the fact that it isn’t free. A single user license will set you back nearly $30; however, the 40-day free trial doesn’t care too terribly much if you go over the 40 days. It simply greets you with a message window each time you open a RAR archive and asks you to buy the full version.
WinZip
As the most popular archiving software, WinZip does a surprisingly poor job at compression. Its proprietary ZIPX format is not only among the slowest to process files, but it won’t shrink things down much more than your standard ZIP can. Using the ZIPX format can also be problematic because the recipient will need WinZip (or one of only a handful of other uncommon zip tools that supports it) to unpack it. Even if your recipient has WinZip, it may not be the proper version to open the file.
Where WinZip shines is its user interface. It’s extremely straightforward (especially for those used to Windows), and its Wizard Mode makes even advanced compression tasks simple. This makes it perfect for working with standard ZIP files.
7zip
Compared to WinRAR and WinZip, 7zip is unique in the simple fact that it’s actually free. It is only officially available on Windows, but because it is entirely open source, unofficial OSX and Linux versions are readily available. When file size is critical, 7zip is the way to go. The 7z format regularly offers the best file compression and is only slightly slower than WinRAR. Also, just like WinRAR, most major archiving tools support the 7z file type for unpacking.
You’d think all of this would make 7zip an easy choice; however, it’s not exactly the most user friendly application. Its user interface is definitely geared toward advanced users (though advanced users would likely cherish this fact).
Comments are closed on this article
karenxiao
January 11, 2012 at 7:16pm
I am very enjoyed for this side. Its a nice topic. It help me very much to solve some problems. Its opportunity are so fantastic and working style so speedy. I think it may be help all of you. Thanks
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davidlogin
November 29, 2011 at 2:49am
People always set password to Windows 7 operation system to keep them away from others, and it is a good try in protecting privacy. But the problem is that the password owner might forgot Windows 7 password due to the busy daily life. And then, they will need to get the lost or forgot Windows password reset or bypass that in no time.
Well, it’s not a big deal as long as you got one Windows 7 Password Cracker in hand, which specially and powerfully works on crack Windows 7 Password. What’s more, it could also recover passwords for other versions of Windows as well, including Vista/XP/2000 and Windows Server 2008/2003, etc.
LeanneStuler
November 03, 2011 at 11:58am
Thorough run down of current options! I really do believe that the future is shifting toward eliminating large hard drives on personal computers and having everything synced up through online storage. It just makes sense in this day and age that leaving your personal files vulnerable to things like burglars and fires is absurd when everything can be stored safely online!
shelja
October 21, 2011 at 2:29pm
Binfer is a great option to send large files directly from person to person, without uploading to a server. You can send hundreds of files of any size with a simple drag and drop. Binfer will manage the transfers with auto resumes, encryption, notifications etc. Check it out: http://www.binfer.com
Getter Liger
October 21, 2011 at 1:26pm
Tonido is a good option. It creates a cloud from your pc. They have a NAS option too that looks neat for $99. Think about getting one for Xmas.
Getter Liger
October 21, 2011 at 1:27pm
I forgot to mention you can make 1-click links to email to the users for them to obtain the file from you.
Trooper_One
October 21, 2011 at 12:20pm
If it's for work, between co-workers or clients who's less internet savvy or don't have admin access to install programs, and if the files aren't that secretive in nature, I upload the needed files to a new yahoo.ca mail account, give them the password to that account. If the files are large, then break them down with zip or rar. Uberfiles don't work with this method.
wrigleyjames
October 21, 2011 at 11:36am
I use the Amazon cloud for myself.... I have problems sharing. ;)
big_montana
October 21, 2011 at 6:10am
I prefer Sugarsync over Dropbox, as they give you 5GB free with no file size limit, and have an Android app as well. Miuns gives you 10GB free (have not used this one yet)
Athlonite
October 21, 2011 at 2:38am
anything over 50MB's and it becomes faster for me to drop it on a usb stick and drive to my mates place why because NZ has bullshit upload speeds vs download 24Mbps down vs 1Mbps up max so yeah trying to send a 2GB file over the net here is totally useless unless your prepared to wait for it to upload
JPMiller
October 20, 2011 at 11:06pm
One option not mentioned is Teamviewer.
a small free download allows sharing of your screen, unlimited fast downloads, copy paste between PC's, and a slew of other abilities...
I often use it for large file transfers due to the convenience...
http://www.teamviewer.com/en/download/index.aspx
RipperXT
October 20, 2011 at 10:04pm
SugarSync is 5GB for free. And has a "create public link" and a "send file" option. Just thought it deserved a mention.
livebriand
October 20, 2011 at 6:56pm
Mediafire.com is a good upload site, up to 200MB/file, unlimited space, no account required (optional). There's also Windows Live Skydrive, which can also be accessed with the program SDExplorer, 25GB total, up to 50MB or 100MB/file. I've used the former quite a few times to share stuff. I also use Skydrive to backup my files - just put them in 7z files with AES-256 encryption and file splitting to 50MB each. Perfect - that data has extra protection, and they can't read it even if they want to.
macncapn
October 20, 2011 at 4:49pm
"When it comes to sharing more than 2gigs, your only free options are torrents or a makeshift cloud drive, built from a USB storage-ready router"
Why did they completely neglect filehosting websites (rapidshare, megaupload, mediafire, hotfile, netload, wupload, fileserve, zshare,...) all of which have been used for years to send large files for free over the interwebz, some over 10 gb in size.
QuantumRand
October 20, 2011 at 6:45pm
"You can use one of those MegaShareUpload sites, but they're flaky and full of delays and porn popups."
Of all the relatively "safe" sites like that I've seen, they limit you to about 100MB file sizes and charge you quite a bit in order to upload bigger files. I'd never recommend those sites to someone when there are so many better options.
Ghok
October 22, 2011 at 7:51am
Yeah, I've needed to send large zips full of pictures to relatives, and sometimes the only way would be these sites... but every one I've tried has been pretty awful in their limitations. I mean, you can pay for better serivce, but I think it'd just better to buy some webspace instead.
Mr.Rager22
October 20, 2011 at 9:09pm
I actually use MediaFire and Megaupload a lot. I wouldnt reccomend them to someone with little or no computer knowledge, because yes, their sites are tricky to manuever and find the right "download" button.
But to anyone with a little tech savy these sites are invaluable.
vpitcher07
October 20, 2011 at 4:24pm
Obviously torrents. Most efficient way to distribute large files to loads of people at practically no cost.
livebriand
October 20, 2011 at 4:11pm
One little issue - 7-zip only supports a max of 2 cores with 7z files, though you can use as many cores as you want with regular zip files.
Coldrage
October 20, 2011 at 5:23pm
It supports up to 8 cores...set the compression method to LZMA2
You're welcome.
Blaze589
October 20, 2011 at 3:57pm
uTorrent (3.0.1) Share seems reasonable if you want to share files over the net.
Angelfire011
October 20, 2011 at 3:31pm
Lately I've found that using the service "wetransfer.com" has been the least Headache inducing service avaliable for those less tech savvy in my work environment. Hope it can also help someone else out!
luusyphre
October 20, 2011 at 4:14pm
I'll have to give that a shot. I've been using DropSend which is similar but requires an account and you can only send five 2gb files per months. I don't send large files very often, so 5 per month is usually more than enough. You can also create a bunch of other dummy accounts if needed :D
