We live in an age of online collaboration, and sharing files is more important than ever. But you don't want to just upload important files and documents on some random website where everyone can get access to it. Sharing flees in a secure way is incredibly important, so you want to use the right service.
If you want to share files with peace of mind, we've compiled some of the best services to do it for you.
5 OneDrive (or other cloud storage services)
Personal clouds with good sharing tools
Close
It may seem like an obvious pick, but cloud sharing services like OneDrive or Google Drive are great ways to share files securely. These services are directly tied to your account, and you usually have sharing options to prevent prying eyes from seeing anything they shouldn't.
OneDrive, Google Drive, and other cloud services can require users to authenticate with a specific email, making sure only the people you want can see the files you're sharing. In some cases, you can even set expiration dates for links or password protection to further reinforce your security. Other options in the same vein include Dropbox, Box, Mega, and more.
Related
How to use OneDrive on Windows 11
OneDrive comes preloaded on your Windows PC, but how does it work?
Posts 1
With these cloud services, you can also delete files at any time, so they're not on the internet for any longer than they need to be. There are plenty of options out there, but OneDrive is pretty great since it's built right into Windows 11 and it's very easy to access.
Your changes have been saved
Email is sent
Email has already been sent
Microsoft OneDrive
See at Microsoft
4 Nextcloud
Host your own server
Online cloud services are cool and all, but if you want ultimate control over your files and you're fine with setting up things manually, a solution like Nextcloud may be for you. While it is available a "proper" cloud services, Nextcloud can also be self-hosted, meaning all your files and info is stored in your own server, giving you all the control you need over who accesses your files.
Related
How I turned my old PC into a Google Drive replacement with Nextcloud
If you have a second PC available, you can turn it into a Google Drive replacement.
Posts 3
If you do set up Nextcloud on premises, sharing with external users is a bit more cumbersome, but if you're working within the same network, this is a great way to share files with others, and you can't beat the security of having your own server. It's not for everyone, but it's worth checking out if you're proficient with tech.
Your changes have been saved
Email is sent
Email has already been sent
Nextcloud
See at Nextcloud
3 Quick Share (and other local wireless sharing apps)
Fast, wireless, and secure
Close
Much like cloud storage services, local file sharing tools are a dime a dozen, so you can take your pick here. Quick Share is one of the best options because it becomes from a renowned company (Google) and it's preloaded on Android phones, with an app for Windows that also works great. But other options like LocalSend also work on macOS and iPhones, so they're definitely worth checking out (though you can also kind of use Quick Share on macOS , it's not as secure).
Related
Google's Quick Share solution for Windows is better than Microsoft's
Nearby Sharing should have been the best way to share files on Windows, but Microsoft was too slow to capitalize.
Posts
The great thing about these apps is that files are sent directly from one device to another, and you can verify the other user's identity with a pairing code, which prevents nearby users from potentially snooping on what's being shared. There's also no internet involved, so there's no way anyone can track down the files you're sharing. It's the convenience of wireless communication paired with fast transfer speeds and all the security you need. I use Quick Share and LocalSend often, and I highly recommend it.
Your changes have been saved
Email is sent
Email has already been sent
Quick Share
See at Google
2 WeTransfer
A cloud tool made for sharing
There are plenty of tools out there made for sharing files online, but WeTransfer remains one of the best options out there due to its simplicity and security. You can use WeTransfer to upload any file up to 2GB, and the download link is emailed to up to three people of your choice, so only those people have access to it. WeTransfer links expire automatically, so even if someone were to try and get to the link you shared through some other method, it's unlikely the file would still be available.
WeTransfer already works pretty well in its free tier, but if you want to pay for it, you also get the ability to set a password, adding that much more security to the sharing process.
Your changes have been saved
Email is sent
Email has already been sent
WeTransfer
See at WeTransfer
1 Telegram
The best messaging app for sharing files
Messaging apps are generally good ways to share files since the files you upload are only available in the conversations you share them in, meaning it's nearly impossible for anyone else to get a peek at them. But when it comes to sharing files, Telegram is far and away the best option out of all messaging apps.
For one thing, it has a file size limit of 2GB (4GB if you pay for Telegram Premium), which is huge in comparison to basically any competitor in the messaging space. You can share all kinds of files this way. But Telegram is also great at providing control over your content. You can upload a file into your personal cloud (by sending it to yourself) and then forward that message to others to share it, and then you can delete the message for both sides of the conversation when you're done.
This ensures that your file is always available to you in your private cloud, but you can easily recall access to it for other users at any time. You can also use things like self-destructing messages to prevent other from seeing what you're sharing. I've used Telegram to share files many times in the past, and it's one of my preferred ways to do it if the other person happens to also have the app. Sadly, that's a requirement not everyone meets, so you may not be able to use this one yourself.
Your changes have been saved
Email is sent
Email has already been sent
Telegram
See at Telegram
Share your files stress-free
Any of these tools will serve you well in getting files to the desired destination without having to worry about prying eyes. Whether you use OneDrive, Telegram, or local file sharing, you'll be well served, and you can rest assured that your files stay private. Personally, I'm a big fan of Telegram, but any of these solutions can be great depending on the situation.
Related
Best cloud storage services in 2024
There's no shortage of cloud service providers in the computing world, but here are the ones I recommend checking out in 2023.
Posts