7+ Free File Sharing Tools
8 of the 9 tools in this category have a free plan. 2 are completely free and 6 offer a free tier beside paid plans.
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File Sharing tools with a free plan
Showing 1 to 8 of 8 tools
WinSCP
Free and open source file manager and transfer client for Windows supporting FTP, SFTP, SCP, WebDAV, and S3 protocols.
SendThisFile
Secure file transfer service for businesses with encryption, access control, and file activity tracking.
ForkLift 4
A dual pane file manager and file transfer client for macOS supporting multiple remote connections.
SlideServe
A platform for uploading, sharing, and viewing PowerPoint presentations and documents online.
Hightail
Cloud-based software for secure file sharing, creative collaboration, and project management.
LocalSend
A free, open-source, cross-platform tool for secure offline file sharing over local Wi-Fi.
6 questions
Frequently asked questions
Which file sharing tools are completely free?
LocalSend and Video to Link cost nothing and have no paid tier. LocalSend is open source and moves files over local Wi-Fi without touching the internet. Video to Link lets you upload a video and get a shareable link instantly. No sign-up is needed for files up to 100MB. Guest links expire after 21 days unless you create a free account to make them permanent.
Which tools work without an internet connection?
LocalSend is the only tool here that works entirely offline. It transfers files over a local Wi-Fi network, keeps data inside that network, and requires no internet at all. Every other tool here relies on cloud servers or internet connectivity. The trade-off is that all devices must be on the same Wi-Fi network and have the LocalSend app open.
Which tool handles the largest file transfers?
Hightail supports transfers up to 500GB, the largest limit among these tools. Its free plan is capped at 100MB per file, so large transfers require a paid plan starting at $12 a month billed annually. Google Drive plans start at $7.00 per user per month with no free option.
Which tool is built for sending documents to clients securely?
ShareFile is the only tool here built around client portals, and it also includes e-signatures, workflow steps, encryption, and audit trails. It starts at $18.15 per user per month and has no free plan. It suits teams that send contracts or regulated documents regularly, not someone who needs a quick one-off transfer.
Can I share a video without uploading it to a cloud storage service?
Yes. Video to Link converts a video into a shareable URL without re-encoding the file or storing it in a full cloud service. No sign-up is needed for files up to 100MB. Guest links expire after 21 days; a free account makes them permanent. It does not offer cloud storage or document collaboration, just a direct playable link.
Which tools support working on documents together in real time?
Google Drive is the tool here built for Document Collaboration, with real-time editing across file types and shared drives for teams. ShareFile supports document workflows too, but its focus is on routing documents for approval and signature rather than live co-editing. Google Drive starts at $7.00 per user per month with no free plan.