Prices checked: 3 October 2026
Two kinds of “file hosting”
- Cloud storage (Mega, Google Drive, Dropbox, pCloud). Built for storing and sharing your own files with people you choose.
- One-click file hosts (Rapidgator, Nitroflare, 1Fichier, Keep2Share). Built for public download links, with free users slowed down and premium plans for speed.
Which one you want depends on whether you are sharing or downloading.
Comparison table
| Service | Type | Free storage | Max file size (free) | Paid from | Encryption | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mega | Cloud storage | 20 GB | — | $11.14 / month (Pro I, 2 TB) | End-to-end | Free large-file sharing |
| Google Drive | Cloud storage | 15 GB (shared with Gmail) | 5 TB per file | From $1.99 / month (100 GB) | In transit and at rest | Google users |
| pCloud | Cloud storage | Up to 10 GB | — | Lifetime plans available | Optional client-side | One-time payment fans |
| Rapidgator | File host | — | — | $14.99 | HTTPS | Public download links |
| Nitroflare | File host | — | — | $15 | HTTPS | Public download links |
| 1Fichier | File host | — | — | — | HTTPS | Large single files |
Mega: best free option
Mega gives the most free space of the big names and encrypts files end to end, so even Mega cannot read them. Transfer quotas apply to downloads on free accounts. Our guide to downloading Mega folder links covers the quota.
Rapidgator: most popular public file host
Rapidgator is one of the longest-running one-click hosts. Free downloads are slow with a timer. Premium removes the limits. See the Rapidgator Premium review and our full speed guide.
Nitroflare: popular for large files
Nitroflare is another major host with fast premium downloads and strict free limits. Details in Nitroflare premium and alternatives.
Google Drive and pCloud
Google Drive is the easy choice if you already use Gmail, since storage is shared across Google services. pCloud is known for lifetime plans, which some people prefer to monthly bills.
Hosts that no longer exist
Several hosts that used to be popular have shut down, including Zippyshare (closed in 2023) and Share-Online (closed in 2019). If you land on an old link from either, the file is gone. Look for a mirror on one of the hosts above.
How to pick
| You want to… | Use |
|---|---|
| Share a big file privately for free | Mega |
| Share with Google users | Google Drive |
| Pay once, store for years | pCloud lifetime |
| Download from public links fast | Premium on that host, or a multi-host account |
| Download from many hosts | LinkSnappy (see best debrid services) |
FAQ
What is the best free file hosting site for large files?
Mega is the best free choice for large files in 2026, with 20 GB of free storage and end-to-end encryption. Free downloads are subject to a transfer quota.
Which file host is fastest for downloads?
Any major host is fast with premium. Rapidgator and Nitroflare premium give full speed, and a multi-host service like LinkSnappy gives premium speed across many hosts at once.
Is Zippyshare still working?
No. Zippyshare shut down in 2023, and its old links no longer work.
What happened to Share-Online?
Share-Online closed in 2019. Old Share-Online links are dead.
Can I upload files larger than 10 GB for free?
Some cloud services allow very large single files on free plans, but limits vary and change. Check the current maximum file size on each service before uploading.
Is it safe to download from file hosts?
Files on public hosts can contain malware. Download only from sources you trust, avoid fake download buttons, and scan files before opening them.
