Remember Files Over Miles? It was such a handy tool for sending large files to friends and family. I used it all the time when I needed to share vacation videos with relatives or send work presentations to colleagues. Sadly, like so many good things on the internet, it disappeared one day.
When Files Over Miles went down, I was stuck. I had gotten so comfortable with how easy it was to use. No confusing settings, no account requirements – just upload and share. Sound familiar?
Well, don’t worry. After trying dozens of different services, I found some really good replacements. Some are even better than Files Over Miles ever was. Here are my top ten picks that actually work without driving you crazy.
Table of Contents
1. WeTransfer – Just Like Files Over Miles But Still Working
WeTransfer reminds me most of Files Over Miles. You don’t need to sign up for anything. Just go to their website, pick your files, type in someone’s email, and boom – you’re done. They get a download link in their inbox.
You can send 2GB for free, which handles most stuff I need to share. The files stick around for a week, so people don’t have to rush to download them. My mom always takes forever to check her email, so this works perfect for family photos.
I sent my brother a 20-minute video last month, and it uploaded super fast. He got the email right away and downloaded it without any problems. No weird errors or broken links like some other sites give you.
The paid version gives you more storage space, longer file availability, and the ability to customize your transfer page. But for most people, the free version works perfectly.
2. Google Drive – More Than Just File Sharing
Google Drive gives you way more than Files Over Miles ever did. You get a whole 15GB free to start with. Sharing stuff is dead simple – just right-click any file and hit “Share.” Then add email addresses or grab a link to send however you want.
Here’s what’s really cool about Google Drive. Say your cousin shares a Google Doc with you. You can edit it right in your web browser. No downloading files, no special programs. Just click and start typing. It’s perfect when my family plans reunions or my coworkers need to work on the same document.
The phone app works great too. Last week I took a video at my kid’s soccer game, uploaded it from the parking lot, and shared it with grandparents before I even got home. Everyone could watch it right away.
For businesses, Google Workspace offers unlimited storage and advanced sharing controls. But even the free version handles most personal and small business needs perfectly.
3. Dropbox – The Reliable Standard
Dropbox has been around forever, and there’s a good reason for that – it just works. The free version gives you 2GB, but you can earn more space by referring friends or completing simple tasks.
What sets Dropbox apart is how smoothly it syncs across devices. Install it on your computer, and it creates a special folder. Anything you put in that folder automatically uploads and syncs to all your other devices. It’s like having your files everywhere at once.
Sharing is simple too. Right-click any file in your Dropbox folder and choose “Share.” You can send a link that lets people view or download the file, or give them full access to edit and add files.
The mobile scanner feature is surprisingly useful. Point your phone camera at documents, receipts, or whiteboards, and Dropbox creates clean PDF files automatically.
4. Send Anywhere – The Cross-Platform Champion
Send Anywhere works on everything – Windows, Mac, iPhone, Android, and even Linux. You can send files between any combination of devices without creating accounts or installing software on every device.
The process is genius in its simplicity. On the sending device, you select files and get a six-digit code. On the receiving device, you enter that code, and the files transfer directly. No uploading to servers, no waiting for download links.
This direct connection makes Send Anywhere incredibly fast for large files. Since data doesn’t have to travel through company servers, you’re only limited by your internet speed and the recipient’s internet speed.
The free version handles files up to 10GB, which covers almost everything you might need to send. There’s also a link-sharing option if codes aren’t convenient for your situation.
5. OneDrive – The Microsoft Solution
If you use Windows or any Microsoft products, OneDrive is already built in. You get 5GB free, and it integrates perfectly with Microsoft Office applications.
Sharing files from OneDrive works just like other cloud services, but the Office integration is where it really shines. You can collaborate on Word documents, Excel spreadsheets, and PowerPoint presentations in real-time. Multiple people can edit the same document simultaneously.
The automatic backup features are helpful too. OneDrive can automatically save photos from your phone and back up your desktop and documents folders. It’s like having an automatic backup system running in the background.
For families, Microsoft 365 subscriptions include 1TB of OneDrive storage per person, making it a great value if you already use Microsoft products.
6. pCloud – The Security-Focused Option
pCloud takes security seriously while keeping things simple for everyday users. They offer client-side encryption, meaning your files are scrambled before they leave your device. Even pCloud employees can’t see your files.
The free plan includes 10GB, which is more generous than most competitors. Sharing works through secure links that you can password-protect or set to expire after a certain time.
What makes pCloud interesting is their lifetime plans. Instead of paying monthly forever, you can buy storage once and keep it forever. For people who plan to use cloud storage long-term, this can save a lot of money.
The interface feels familiar if you’re used to Windows Explorer or Mac Finder. You can drag and drop files, create folders, and organize everything just like on your computer.
7. MediaFire – The High-Capacity Choice
MediaFire gives you 10GB free right from the start, with no tricks or complicated earning systems. They’ve been around since 2006, making them one of the older file sharing services still operating.
Uploading files to MediaFire creates shareable links that work in any web browser. You can organize files into folders and even create password-protected folders for sensitive content.
The service handles large files well – up to 20GB per file on free accounts. That’s enough for most videos, software installers, or compressed archives you might need to share.
MediaFire also offers direct linking, meaning people can link directly to your files from websites or forums. This makes it popular with communities that share resources, though you should be mindful of bandwidth limits.
8. Mega – The Privacy-First Alternative
Mega was created by the same person who made the original Megaupload, but with a focus on privacy and security. All files are encrypted end-to-end, meaning even Mega can’t see what you’re storing or sharing.
The free plan is generous – 20GB of storage with 1GB of monthly transfer quota. The storage space is yours to keep, but you can only download 1GB worth of files per month unless you upgrade.
Sharing files creates secure links that require the encryption key to access. You can share this key separately from the link for extra security, though most people just share the complete link for convenience.
The web interface works entirely in your browser, but desktop and mobile apps are available for faster syncing and easier file management.
9. Box – The Business-Friendly Option
Box started as an enterprise solution but offers a solid free plan for personal use. You get 10GB of storage with 250MB maximum file size on the free plan.
Where Box excels is in collaboration features. You can leave comments on files, assign tasks, and track who has accessed shared content. It integrates well with business software like Salesforce, Office 365, and Google Workspace.
The security features are enterprise-grade, even on free accounts. You can set expiration dates for shared links, require passwords, and see detailed logs of who accessed your files when.
For students and educators, Box offers special plans with more storage and features, making it popular in academic settings.
10. Firefox Send (Now Discontinued, but Alternatives Exist)
Firefox Send was Mozilla’s privacy-focused file sharing service, but it was discontinued in 2020. However, several open-source alternatives have emerged that work the same way.
These services, like Send by Bitwarden or Lufi, let you upload files that automatically delete themselves after being downloaded or after a set time period. No accounts needed, no permanent storage, just temporary file sharing.
The idea is simple but powerful – share a file once, and it disappears forever. This is perfect for sharing sensitive documents, passwords, or anything else you don’t want sitting on servers indefinitely.
While these alternatives aren’t as polished as commercial services, they’re great for people who prioritize privacy and don’t need permanent storage.
Choosing the Right Alternative
The best Files Over Miles alternative depends on what you need. For simple, occasional file sharing, WeTransfer is hard to beat. If you want full cloud storage with file sharing, Google Drive or Dropbox are excellent choices.
For maximum privacy, consider Mega or pCloud. If you’re already using Microsoft or Google products, their respective cloud services integrate seamlessly with what you already use.
For very large files or direct device-to-device transfers, Send Anywhere offers the fastest solution. And if you need business features like collaboration and detailed access controls, Box is worth considering.
The good news is that most of these services offer free plans, so you can try several before settling on your favorite. Many people actually use multiple services for different purposes – maybe Google Drive for work collaboration, WeTransfer for sharing large files with friends, and Mega for private backups.
Final Thoughts
While Files Over Miles is gone, these ten alternatives offer even better features and reliability. The file sharing landscape has improved dramatically over the years, with faster speeds, better security, and more generous free plans.
Take some time to try a few options and see which ones fit your workflow best. Whether you’re sharing family photos, collaborating on work projects, or backing up important files, there’s definitely a service here that will meet your needs perfectly.
