The Ultimate File Hosting Service Providers Worth Your Time

File hosting service is a boon for corporates and businesses, especially those who have majority of the workforce working remotely. No matter the geographical distance, they can carry out work collaboration with ease. They can host their files securely and share them with all employees and clients in no time.

Good file hosting removes the need to invest in extra hardware to store important data and files. Anyone can access their data with a smart device and a stable internet connection. There are tons of companies providing file hosting services in the market. Here in this article, we have shortlisted the top 10 brands that offer the best services to host your files. However, before diving into the list let us wrap our minds around the concept itself.

The essence of file hosting

File hosting service or cloud file hosting allows users to share files easily. They can upload, download and share images, data files, and videos with other users without going through any complex process. Users can store files and access them anytime, anywhere with a stable internet connection.

There is a server where users can store their data and share it among others. Today, companies are using the perks of the top file hosting services to facilitate remote working and carrying out smooth operations. There are three types of file hosting, namely, free, paid, and premium. In the below-mentioned list, we have listed the top websites that offer the best services. Go through it and you’re on to making your selection wisely.

Our Top 10 file hosting services to rely on

1. BOX

Efficiency, simplicity, and security are the three sharp arrows in the quiver of this platform. Being one of the best file hosting services, Box allows its users to collaborate with their team seamlessly. Everybody comes on the same page and works efficiently without any frustration. Besides this, there are strict protocols in place for data security and privacy. The company regularly maintains its security controls to stay updated with the evolving online threats and offer reliable services. Moreover, with Box, you get the ability to automate the general routines with which you can increase your productivity and reduce the stress on your shoulders. With the free plan, you get 10 GB of cloud storage and as your needs increase, you can upgrade the plan that starts with 10$ for 100 GB of storage.

Free Storage 10 GB Upgrade Starting Price $10/month 100 GB Our Expert Rating: 100% Best Features Quick integration of 1500+ 3rd party apps Advanced security protocols Premium management tools support

2. IDrive

Another popular cloud file hosting service is IDrive. You can easily store files from different devices and access them anywhere, anytime. The data and files are stored with a 256-bit encryption key which is not saved on any servers. In case you modify any part of the file, the platform detects it automatically and creates a backup for the file. You can also fetch your files on your mobile from the synced devices in no time through its interactive app which runs smoothly on both iOS and Android devices. The platform offers all status reports regularly so that you are aware of everything and strives to maintain the utmost transparency. You get 5GB storage for free with IDrive. In case your requirements increase, you can upscale to other plans.

Free Storage 5 GB Upgrade Starting Price $3.71/year 100 GB Our Expert Rating: 98% Best Features Snapshot and versioning support Computer cloning support Full control over data deletion

3. Dropbox

Harness the power to access your data anywhere, anytime, and store it securely with the Dropbox file hosting service. You can keep your files up to date and access them anywhere from any device with a stable internet connection. You can send any file, no matter the size to anyone even if they don't have a Dropbox account. Besides this, you get real-time updates on the changes that are made to the files. With Dropbox hosting, you get full control to organize the files with shared folders and groups. With this, you can apply for different permissions and change the options that suit your needs.

Free Storage 2 GB Upgrade Starting Price $13/month 2 TB Our Expert Rating: 98% Best Features Live chat and email support File locking option Digital watermarking available

4. Google Drive

When it comes to availing of the best cheap file hosting services, Google Drive file hosting services is one of the prominent names in the market. You can securely save your files and share them with others with full access control. You can quickly change the permission to avoid misuse of your data and keep them secured. The drive smoothly integrates with Google workspace, so your team can easily collaborate and create powerful projects and content with ease. Besides all this, the Google file hosting works efficiently with Microsoft files, so you don’t have to change the format and can simply edit them with the Drive platform.

Free Storage 15 GB Upgrade Starting Price $6/month 30 GB Our Expert Rating: 96% Best Features 15 GB free storage for a single user Inbuilt spam and malware detection Interactive and user-friendly interface

5. Apple iCloud Drive

With 5GB of free cloud storage, iCloud Drive is another solid competitor in the list of best file hosting services. No matter the type of file you want to save, iCloud will keep your data safe and secured. With this permanent file hosting, you can access all your files anywhere with ease. Once you have connected all your devices to your iCloud account, you will be able to share all your files across every device quickly. In case you want to change your device, you can carry all your previous device data without any unnecessary hassle. Say hi to the new beginning keeping all your old memories safe. The platform has advanced security protocols in place to keep everything safe.

Free Storage 5 GB Upgrade Starting Price $0.99/month  50 GB Our Expert Rating: 96% Best Features Live update support Solid backup and restore option Advanced organization support is available

6. OneDrive

Another giant in the file-hosting sector is OneDrive hosting. With Microsoft file hosting services, you get 5GB of free storage where you can upload, download and share files easily. Once you have uploaded your files on OneDrive, you can access them anywhere from any device. Even if you lost your device, you can retrieve the data from OneDrive in no time. When it comes to data sharing, you can simply send the link to share the files. No need to attach any large files to emails or thumb drives. Keeping all this aside, you get the strong back hold of Microsoft office where your team can collaborate easily and work smoothly.

Free Storage 5 GB Upgrade Starting Price $5.99/month 1 TB Our Expert Rating: 94% Best Features OneDrive Personal Vault for secured data storage Expiring links support 30-day file restore period

7. MediaFire

With MediaFire file hosting service, you get to avail up to 50GB of free space with a limit of 4GB per upload. With this unlimited file hosting service, you don't even need to worry about bandwidth or download limits. You can share your file in a jiffy by simply sending the ink across various platforms. No matter the device, the platform runs smoothly with everyone and allows you to organize, download, view, and edit your files with ease. In case you want to download tons of files together, you can conveniently get everything in one ZIP file. Moreover, you can share data and files directly from any website to your MediaFire storage.

Free Storage 10 GB Upgrade Starting Price $3.75/month 1 TB Our Expert Rating: 94% Best Features One-time links Multiple uploads and large file hosting support Premium file manager support

8. MEGA

Get 20GB of free cloud storage with the MEGA file hosting service. Besides being reliable storage, you can easily share your data and files with others with controlled access. All the communications on this platform are end-to-end encrypted and you have full control over the keys. You can download the MEGA app on your mobile device(Android and iOS) and control all the files on the go. The app automatically creates a backup of your data and files, so that you don’t lose your data even if you lose your device. The company owns and operates its solid infrastructure, so you don’t need to worry about data security and availability.

Free Storage 20 GB Upgrade Starting Price $5/month 400 GB Our Expert Rating: 92% Best Features Browser extension available Secure video conferencing Outstanding File versioning

9. 4Shared

With the 4shared platform, you get 15 GB of storage that you can upscale to 100 GB easily with the premium plan starting at 77.95$ for a year. You can upload and download anything with this platform. Besides using it on any browser, you can download the app from Google Play Store, Apple Store, Window Phone Store, and HUAWEI AppGallery. With 4Shared, you get direct download links with no-ad interruptions. In case your upload is interrupted due to an error, you can resume it without losing the prior uploaded content. You can easily backup and restore your important files from different devices and even upload multiple files at once.

Free Storage 15 GB Upgrade Starting Price $9.95/month 100 GB Our Expert Rating: 92% Best Features 24/7 technical support Multi-level file system support Password protection available

10. pCloud

pCloud offers unlimited file hosting so you don’t need to worry about the size of the file you need to upload. The platform offers an interactive interface to use which is the perfect blend of power and simplicity. In simple words, you get the power of the latest tools and technologies and ease of using them. You get 10GB of free storage when you sign-up with the platform which you can upscale if your needs elevate. You can access the platform from your mobile, laptop, and web. All your files with pCloud are totally safe as the company strives to offer superlative data security and privacy.

Free Storage 10 GB Upgrade Starting Price $4.99/month 500 GB Our Expert Rating: 90% Best Features Customizable download links 30- day file versioning Inbuilt audio and video player access

How to choose the best file hosting service for your needs?

There are 5 points to consider while selecting the right file hosting service that caters to your needs well!

File Types Support

It acknowledges the common types of files that will be shared on the platform. This is the most important aspect since most of the other points rely on it.

Bandwidth

It refers to the amount of data (in MBs) that gets transferred at a particular time. Select the one that meets your file hosting requirements aptly. Since video files use more bandwidth, you need to measure your requirements beforehand for the best service.

Storage Space

Many file hosting sites offer more space. However, it is up to you to pick the one after recognizing your specific need. Note: In case, your storage need is limited to only documents, you can easily scrutinize and opt for the best document hosting platform.

File Security

Since all the files will be transferred online, security from hackers is crucial. Select the platform that has a good reputation and ensures full security via password protection and private SSL certificates.

Uptime Guarantee

Always go for the one provider that lets you access the files 24/7 without any hassle.

File hosting vs File sharing

For many, file hosting and sharing may mean the same thing. However, there is a tremendous difference between both terms. File hosting refers to the service which you can use to upload, download and maintain your files on a different server. Meanwhile, file sharing enables you to create a particular link through which others can download that file easily.

To explain with an example, Google Drive is the most commonly used cloud file hosting provider since you keep sharing the links to your personal documents, spreadsheets, and other files via this platform. WeTransfer is the most commonly used file-sharing platform that allows hassle-free link sharing of your files.

Can I host files for free?

Yes, anyone can use the free file hosting services to host files without spending a single penny. The main drawback you will witness is the restricted storage space. So, let’s say you have a hosting requirement that will take less storage. In that case, you can probably go for any of the popular hosting services such as Dropbox and Google Drive. Their free storage options might be perfectly sufficient. However, their flexible plans allow you to easily upgrade should the need arise.

Having said that, before you opt for a free service, make sure you do a thorough research. Avoid platforms which do not require an account in order to use their services. They might contain viruses or other malicious content. There is also no guarantee that they have adequate security protocols installed – be careful!

How to start your own file hosting service?

Getting started

Follow the given steps to learn how to kickstart your own file hosting service in just a few clicks!

1. Set up: Start by setting up an environment where you will take care of all the backend activities.
2. User Registering segment: Create the frontend page where you can allow users to become authorized users of your site.
3. User Login segment: All the registered users will now go through the user login page that will allow them to gain access to the main site content.
4. File Uploading and Viewing segment: Here the users can easily upload and view the files that they need.

Important notes before you begin

Make sure to provide your customers with the most important features that we’ve already discussed. Sufficient storage, great uptime and security are definitely a must. Try to stand out with an easy to use interface and appealing upgrade plans. You can even consider additional perks such as a discount for a yearly subscription. Or maybe extra storage for loyal customers. This will help you be more noticeable among the competition.

Is file hosting secure?

Although the majority of people usually encrypt their files on the internet as per law, many of the file hosting services use an extra layer of added protection in the form of SSL or precisely TLS encryption. So, you need not worry about any middlemen attacks during uploading or downloading, etc.

However, many top giants still get attacked and breaches occur somehow, and thus, your data is always at risk of revealing. For now, the main thing to look at includes 2-factor authentication, a strong password feature as well as excellent malware protection. In this way, all your files will stay protected at all times.

Remember that the online world is dark and so, your data safety lies in your own hands. If you are using a free file hosting, you may not find the best security features here. But most paid plans come with amazing security options. Therefore, make it a point to never upload any sensitive information that can cause you harm. If you keep following these easy solutions, you will surely keep yourself guarded against hackers.

Now you’re ready to make a good choice

By now, you must have become aware of all the top file hosting services that are equipped with the best features. However, now it is your turn to pick the right one as per your needs. Our simple advice would be to never ignore the security aspect at any cost. Be it free or paid file hosting services, always prefer the one that ensures user privacy, file security, and data protection at all times. In this way, you can safeguard your valuable files from getting into the wrong hands.

Before you make the final purchase when opting for premium file hosting plans, make sure that you elucidate your exact file hosting requirements. Only then, move ahead through the paid plans so that you can make an apt choice.

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