Stop clogging your inbox by sending emails with large attachments. Instead, switch to one of these free and fast file transfer websites for a more convenient way to share large files without installing anything.

Why does the internet have so many different apps for easy file transfers? Think of Dropbox, Google Drive, WeTransfer, or Jumpshare. The answer is that sharing files is one of the most common activities we do, and everyone has different requirements for doing it. Some value speed and encryption, others want a safe space for their office documents, and a few need to send mega-sized files. Don't worry; there's a solution for everyone.

1. Wormhole (Web): Fastest File Transfers, End-to-End Encrypted

Wormhole is the fastest file transfer app on the internet today if you want to send large files as quickly as possible. The app also puts a premium on data security, with end-to-end encryption, unlike cloud services like Dropbox. That means Wormhole can't open your data at any point, and only stores files for up to 24 hours before deleting them from its servers.

But the main focus is on speed. Upload a file, and you'll instantly get a link, even before the whole file has finished uploading. Share this link and recipients can start downloading the file before it fully uploads, too, using browser-based peer-to-peer (P2P) sharing protocols. It's speedy and a great time-saver compared to other apps where you have to wait for the file to finish uploading before you can share a link.

With Wormhole, you can upload files of up to 5GB, share the link, and close the tab. For files larger than 5GB, you need to keep the tab open as Wormhole uses P2P file sharing to transfer data between you and the recipient.

2. Drop.lol (Web): Share Files Between Devices on the Same Network

Drop.lol can be a handy tool to send data to transfer a file between your phone and computer or when teammates are on the same Wi-Fi.

Here's how it works. The first user has to open Drop.lol to automatically create a room, and then share a link with others to join that room. Those on phones can scan a handy QR code instead to connect quickly.

Once others are in the room, each person is assigned a 'tile'. Add files to your tile so that others can download it, check what others are sharing, or drag-and-drop to initiate transfer. There's also a simple chat panel to send messages if needed. The whole thing works on peer-to-peer file sharing, so you'll need to keep the tab open.

3. Dropall (Web): P2P File Sharing Over Browsers, No Size Limits

Dropall is one of the simplest P2P file-sharing apps to use over browsers. You don't need to install anything or register for an account; all you need is a modern web browser. Because it's P2P, there is no file size limit, nor a limit on how many files you can transfer simultaneously.

First, create a room with an optional username and an optional password. Then, share this room's link with recipients. The room itself shows all the files you have uploaded, and for common file formats, it even shows a preview. For instance, text files are opened to display their notes, and image files display as thumbnails, not icons. You can choose to download a file or open it within the app if possible.

Once a recipient chooses to download a large file, the uploader will need to stay online and in the room till the transfer is complete. The data transfer is entirely serverless, keeping your activity safe and private.

4. SendBig (Web): Transfer Large Files (Upto 30GB) for Free, and Resume Uploads

Most file transfer services limit the size of files to 2GB or 5GB, with a few exceptions. For larger files, you usually have to pay. So far, among the best we had found was PixelDrain with its 10GB limit, making it one of the fastest free file-sharing apps online. SendBig and its 30GB file size limit blows most competitors out of the water.

You'll need to register for a free account to unlock the 30GB file size limit, but no other conditions are involved. Plus, SendBig solves the biggest problem with uploading large files: a failed upload. If you get disconnected or can't finish your upload for any reason, SendBig will resume it the next time you reconnect to the service (as long as you still have the original file). It's a tremendously important feature for big file transfers.

Apart from that, SendBig offers all the features you would expect from a service like this. You can password-protect the file, set how many times it can be downloaded, and set an expiry date when it'll be deleted. You can also use the SendBig Snap service for self-destructing files that are auto-deleted when downloaded once.

5. TransferKit (Web): Decentralized File Transfer Made Easy for Common Users

TransferKit tries to make the advantages of decentralized storage networks available to any lay user, without any Blockstack accounts needed or other technical know-how.

Built upon the Filecoin network, the process of sharing files is as simple as any other file transfer service. Upload your files (up to 32GB total), and then share the link for anyone to download.

The benefit of decentralized storage networks is that you are protected from hardware failure or cyberattacks. Then again, a file uploaded to the decentralized storage network can't be deleted because of its very nature, so your data will be out there forever.

6. SendFileOnline (Web): Share Files Only With a 6-Digit Code

For extra security while sharing files online, SendFileOnline (SFO) gives a cool solution. When you upload files to the site, it gives you a unique 6-digit code. Share that code with your friends instead of a full link, and anyone who happens to read your message won't know what it's about.

Of course, this requires you and your friend to discuss in advance that you will exchange files via SFO. But once that is set up, it's as simple as messaging those six digits, like a PIN code, instead of full links that can be tracked later. Plus, you can set the files to be deleted after 24 hours or one week.

Stop Using Email for File Transfers

Look at the sheer number of apps that let you do file transfers, many of them with no registration. Why then are we still using email to send small files to each other? This is how the inbox gets cluttered, and you run out of Google Drive space.

Of course, file sharing on email is a chronic habit, so it's hard to break. If you want to transition from email to a file-sharing service, start by picking one free, no-registration file transfer app. Then, get your colleague or friend whom you share files with to agree to switch to this instead of email. It's challenging to stick to it alone, but it's much easier if you and your sharers make a conscious effort to switch away from email together.