Sharing files is one of the most common things we do online. Whether it’s with a client, a friend, or even just a coworker, there are plenty of reasons to need to send files around.
That’s why we’ve put together this list of the best apps for sharing files. These apps will help you get your documents in front of someone else quickly and easily, and they’ll make sure that you don’t have to worry about losing them along the way.
Table of Contents
Best Apps For Sharing Files
The best apps to share files play a pivotal role in businesses globally, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic started. Often the same platforms as the best cloud storage solutions, these services offer file sharing facilities that are particularly important to companies looking for the best cloud storage for business.
File sharing impacts greatly on staff and employee interactions across a business, including on overall efficiency. With a hybrid workforce appearing to be the way forward to business in the new normal, cross-collaboration between homeworkers and those in the office has become more important and vital than ever before.
As such, it’s now absolutely key for any business to utilize services that can safely, securely, and quickly handle data transfer at high levels of frequency, with haste, and with no loss. Below, we’ve reviewed, evaluated, and ranked the best apps to share files for your business: read on, and find the right file-sharing solution for your needs.
The 3 best apps to share files securely available
Egnyte: top-level security and synchronization
Egnyte: top-level security and synchronization
Egnyte’s business-focussed platform offers scalable pricing and enterprise-level security, as well as desktop syncing and integration with Microsoft Outlook. It’s the best file-sharing app for businesses looking to secure their file transfers.
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SpiderOak: zero-knowledge, encrypted file-sharing
SpiderOak: zero-knowledge, encrypted file-sharing
SpiderOak’s zero-knowledge architecture ensures that even the provider cannot access your data, and this makes it a top choice. Other tools include backup and restore process encryption, while an accessible interface gives it a user-friendly boost.
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pCloud: scalable, secure cloud storage
pCloud: scalable, secure cloud storage
pCloud is the best choice for security, as all business accounts come with end-to-end encryption on an unlimited number of files. Competitive plans include 1TB per user, and users can be added or removed as necessary, with a straightforward app and great file sharing enabling link sharing and custom access privileges.
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The best apps to share files securely, compared
File-sharing app Lowest-priced plan Free tier Security specialty Operating systems
Egnyte $10 a month per employee (Business) ✔ (15 days) MFA iOS, Android, macOS, Windows
SpiderOak One $6 a month (150GB Plan) ✔ (21 days, no card required) Zero-knowledge encryption iOS, Android, macOS, Windows, Linux, Fedora
pCloud $4.99 a month (Premium) ✔ (10GB) TLS/SSL encryption iOS, Android, macOS, Windows, Linux
Dropbox $11.99 (Plus) ✔ (2GB) File splitting during encryption iOS, Android, Linux, macOS, Windows
Box $11.50 a month (Personal Pro) ✔ (10GB) 2FA iOS, Android, macOS, Windows
Microsoft OneDrive $1.99 a month (OneDrive Standard) ✔ (5GB) Files individually encrypted iOS, Android, macOS, Windows
Resilio $59.90 (Sync Home) ✖ Zero-knowledge encryption iOS, Android, macOS, Windows, Linux
The best apps to share files available right now
Egnyte logo
(Image credit: Egnyte)
- Egnyte
An excellent option for businesses
SPECIFICATIONS
Lowest-priced plan: $10 a month per employee (Business)Free tier/trial: 15 daysSecurity specialty: MFAOperating systems: iOS, Android, macOS, Windows
TODAY’S BEST DEALS
VISIT SITE
REASONS TO BUY
+Intuitive web app
+Perfect for businesses
REASONS TO AVOID
-No options for individuals
Egnyte pitches itself as a business-only platform, and it excels in fulfilling this brief. Its scalable pricing system starts at $10 a month per employee for 1TB of online support, before jumping to $20 for 10 to 100 employees.
What it lacks in editing functionality, it makes up for in enterprise-level security, desktop syncing, and Microsoft Outlook integration. A gold standard choice for businesses of all kinds.
Read our comprehensive Egnyte review.
SpiderOak logo
(Image credit: SpiderOak)
- SpiderOak ONE
A safe and easy way to back up files
SPECIFICATIONS
Lowest-priced plan: $6 a month (150GB Plan)Free tier/trial: 21 days, no card requiredSecurity specialty: Zero-knowledge encryptionOperating systems: iOS, Android, macOS, Windows, Linux, Fedora
TODAY’S BEST DEALS
SpiderOak One Backup 150 GB
US$6/mth
SpiderOak One Backup 400 GB
US$11/mth
SpiderOak One Backup 2 TB
US$14/mth
VISIT SITE
at SpiderOak
REASONS TO BUY
+Gold-standard security
REASONS TO AVOID
-Mobile functionality
-No two-factor authentication
SpiderOak has long had a “No Knowledge” approach to data management, meaning that it can’t access any of your information. Other strengths include encryption during the backup and restore processes and an incredibly accessible interface design.
SpiderOak has a few obvious weaknesses. The mobile app, for example, can be buggy, and there is no way to edit a document at the same time as someone else.
Read our full SpiderOak review.
pCloud logo
(Image credit: pCloud)
- pCloud
Safe, easy to use, but no editing capabilities
SPECIFICATIONS
Lowest-priced plan: $4.99 a month (Premium)Free tier/trial: 10GBSecurity specialty: TLS/SSL encryptionOperating systems: iOS, Android, macOS, Windows, Linux
TODAY’S BEST DEALS
Premium 500 GB Annual
£3.59/mth
Premium Plus 2 TB
£7.09/mth
Premium 500 GB Lifetime
£160
VISIT SITE
at pCloud
REASONS TO BUY
+Generous pricing
+Additional encryption available
REASONS TO AVOID
-No editing options
pCloud’s security capabilities are impressive, but can be expanded further for $5 a month to include encryption during transfers.
Its pricing structure is also impressive, offering a generous 10GB for free, 500GB for $5 a month, or 500GB for a one-off fee of $175. If utilized for long enough, the latter deal could be incredibly cost effective. Collaborators beware though, pCloud has one main weakness—a dearth of any real-time editing options.
Read our comprehensive pCloud review, our interview with the company’s Ivan Dimitrov, and our comparison pitting pCloud vs Dropbox.
Dropbox logo
(Image credit: Dropbox)
- Dropbox
The cloud platform’s app is reliable and simply designed
SPECIFICATIONS
Lowest-priced plan: $11.99 (Plus)Free tier/trial: 2GBSecurity specialty: File splitting during encryptionOperating systems: iOS, Android, Linux, macOS, Windows
TODAY’S BEST DEALS
VISIT SITE
REASONS TO BUY
+Attractive user interface
+Different tiers depending on your needs
REASONS TO AVOID
-Some security blind-spots
Dropbox has a strong security capability, utilizing 256-bit encryption when files aren’t in transit, as well as SSL/TSL transfer tunnels when they are. This is encouraging, as the sleek file-sharing platform has previously come under criticism for its data privacy. Of some concern, for example, is how they reserve the right to view any data on their servers.
Dropbox makes up for these doubts in other areas, however. Its mobile app and interface are intuitive and attractive, and a selection of pricing levels allows you to only pay for the file space you really need.
Read our full Dropbox review, and our Dropbox Business review.
Box logo
(Image credit: Box)
- Box
Dropbox’s rival has ample space and good security features
SPECIFICATIONS
Lowest-priced plan: $11.50 a month (Personal Pro)Free tier/trial: 10GBSecurity specialty: 2FAOperating systems: iOS, Android, macOS, Windows
TODAY’S BEST DEALS
VISIT SITE
REASONS TO BUY
+Third-party integrations
+Excellent security
REASONS TO AVOID
-Slightly confusing design
-Can be expensive
Box has been around for a while, and has had time to add to its features and functionality. Integrating it with your macOS, for example, is easy—it appears alongside other folders in the Finder. It also one-ups Dropbox with end-to-end encryption and more space on its free tier.
One drawback is its slightly unclear layout, but that’s easily overcome after a few hours’ use, and its pricing is competitive.
Read our Box review and our Box for Business review.
OneDrive logo
(Image credit: Microsoft)
- Microsoft OneDrive
Meagre free option, but Microsoft nails everything else
SPECIFICATIONS
Lowest-priced plan: $1.99 a month (OneDrive Standard)Free tier/trial: 5GBSecurity specialty: Files individually encryptedOperating systems: iOS, Android, macOS, Windows
TODAY’S BEST DEALS
VISIT SITE
REASONS TO BUY
+Ideal for collaboration
+Elegant mobile app
REASONS TO AVOID
-macOS app needs work
-Limited free storage
Microsoft was arguably slow off the mark to launch a file-sharing and cloud host, but it was worth the wait. The OneDrive mobile apps, for example, work seamlessly and are elegantly designed, while the desktop version makes files you didn’t even upload accessible.
All the editing and sharing options we’ve come to expect are available too, making teamwork easy. One disappointment for OneDrive is its macOS client app, which feels a touch clunky.
Read our Microsoft OneDrive review and our OneDrive for Business review.
Resilio logo
(Image credit: Resilio)
- Resilio
High security and impressive performance
SPECIFICATIONS
Lowest-priced plan: $59.90 (Sync Home)Free tier/trial: NoneSecurity specialty: Zero-knowledge encryptionOperating systems: iOS, Android, macOS, Windows, Linux
TODAY’S BEST DEALS
VISIT SITE
REASONS TO BUY
+No maximum on data
REASONS TO AVOID
-Only paid users can send files
Resilio gains many benefits from its use of the BitTorrent Protocol, such as enhanced transfer times and the ability for peer-to-peer communication—so long as you and the receiver are both online.
In terms of security, Resilio claims that it cannot access your data, and neither can third parties. The service also offers several one-off payment tiers, including $59.90 and $99.90 for individual and family use respectively, and you can store as many files and as much data as you require.
How secure is cloud storage?
The best secure cloud storage provides leading security and encryption, even though it theoretically is not as secure as local storage. Stable and highly secure cloud storage for business in turn must give your sensitive and integral company data the utmost protection.
When looking for secure storage, ensure your chosen provider offers either end-to-end encryption or zero-knowledge architecture. Respectively, these mean services are either essentially hack-proof, or that not even their own employees are able to access your files, including even if law enforcement compels them or the form to do so.
If these aren’t an option, look for in-transit and at-rest encryption. In this case, your data is indecipherable even if a cybercriminal intercepted it from the provider. Storage as a service (StaaS) organizations provide their storage from highly-secure data centers, which are protected 24/7 by security features such as biometric entry authorization and frequent auditing.
Finally, look for additional tools like 2FA, which offers you added security on top of what the providers have undertaken behind the scenes. It’s perfectly natural to have data security concerns, but the best cloud storage providers offer strong tools that are right on the cutting-edge.
What file-sharing features can cloud storage offer?
The majority of cloud storage providers offering business services are StaaS businesses, providing customers with collaborative tools and seamless digital workflows. These help to facilitate and grow collaboration and productivity across a business.
With hybrid working across remote and office-based staff now more entrenched in the modern business world, these elements are particularly important. These providers also utilize cloud sync technology, which allows edits to documents to be visible immediately across all connected devices and to all users with the requisite access.
In turn, such providers also offer important administrative features and tools, which cover access management and system usage auditing. Such tools can range from 2FA all the way to roles-based permissions.
best file transfer app for android to pc
One of the more common things people need to do is transfer files from their mobile device or tablet to their desktop. Sometimes it’s a photo, sometimes it’s a song, and many other times it’s some sort of document, presentation, or other files that needs to be transferred. There are actually quite a few ways to transfer files from Android to PC (and back again) and we’ll take a look at them here.
We’d also like to give an honorable mention to Syncthing-Fork (Google Play link). It’s a bit more power-user friendly than regular user friendly, but it worked perfectly in our testing.
The best Android apps to transfer files from Android to PC
AirDroid or Pushbullet
Cloud Storage apps
Feem
Resilio Sync
Xender
Non-app ways to transfer files
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AirDroid and Pushbullet
Price: Free / $1.99 per month / $19.99 per year / $38.99 per two years
AirDroid is one of the most useful android apps
AirDroid is one of the more popular apps to transfer files from Android to PC. It can do other stuff too. The features include sending and receiving SMS/MMS from your PC, see your device notifications, and much more. It can even find a lost phone, control the camera, and use apps. You’ll also be able to transfer files to your computer from your phone. You get the basic stuff for free. You’ll have to subscribe to the service to get everything. Pushbullet works very much the same way in terms of transferring files to PC from your Android device, even if it costs a little more. You can go with either of these options. They are the two most popular options.
Cloud Storage
Price: Free / Varies by app
Google Drive screenshot 2020
Cloud Storage is an excellent method to transfer files from Android to PC and back again. There are a variety of services to choose from, including Dropbox, Google Drive, OneDrive, Box.com, and others. Transferring files is easy enough. You upload the file to cloud storage on one device. You then download it on another device. Most cloud storage apps have their own dedicated apps and it makes the process easier. We have our best cloud storage apps list linked up toward the top of this article.
Feem v4
Price: Free
Feem is a simple app that does one thing very right. It transfers things from devices connected to the same WiFi network. That includes mobile phones, tablets, computers, laptops, or whatever else. Each device simply downloads Feem and runs it. From there, you can transfer whatever you want to and from those devices. The WiFi doesn’t need to be connected to the actual internet. A local network is all you really need. It’s simple, effective, cheap, and the Material Design looks nice. ShareIt is another app in this same style that does well.
Resilio Sync
Price: Free / Up to $75
Resilio Sync is one of the best apps to transfer files from PC to Android for android
Resilio Sync (formerly BitTorrent Sync) is kind of a wildcard. It works a lot like cloud storage. However, the cloud storage server is your own desktop or laptop. You can sync as much data as you’d like, transfer files back and forth at will, and a lot more. It should support Mac, Linux, and Windows as well. It’s definitely among the more secure options. Your stuff is never on a cloud server.
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It’s just your phone and your PC talking to each other. The app is free for limited use and you can unlock all the features for a single, albeit somewhat expensive payment if you want to. This can easily replace cloud storage entirely if you want it to. The only downside is that it is a power-user app and it can be a bit frustrating to use if you don’t know what you’re doing.
Xender
Price: Free
Xender is one of the most popular apps in this space. It lets you connect your phone to another device and transfer over WiFi. It works with other Android or iOS phones, Macs, PCs, and even Tizen. The app does its job as intended most of the time and it worked okay in our testing. However, this is one of those apps that either works perfectly or it doesn’t work at all. It also has a few other features, like the ability to convert video to audio and you can apparently use it to download Facebook, Whatsapp, and Instagram videos. Another strong (albeit less popular) competitor here is Feem (Play Store link).
See more app lists:
5 best no root screenshot apps for Android and other methods too
5 best Pushbullet alternatives
Non-app ways to transfer files
best Android apps to transfer files from Android to PC
If apps aren’t your deal, there are still some other ways to transfer files from your PC to Android and vice versa.
Use Bluetooth – If your laptop has a Bluetooth module or if you have a Bluetooth dongle for your desktop or laptop, you can pair your device with your computer using Bluetooth and send files that way. The transfer rates are very slow so only use this method for smaller files.
USB On-The-Go – USB OTG cables allow you to connect your device to USB devices such as external hard drives or flash drives. You use the cable to transfer documents to your flash drive or external hard drive or vice versa. They are relatively inexpensive.
Share to email – This only works with small files like photos or documents, but you can send most types of files over email. Most emails have a limit of around 25MB for attachments.
Share to chat – This works for a number of file types, especially if you use something like Discord, Slack, or Skype. You send yourself the file in a chat on one device and retrieve it on another. This should work for smaller files like photos, documents, or similar things. Skype and Slack have support for things like PDF files, archived (zipped) files, and other document types as well.
Use your data/charging cable – This one is fairly obvious. Just plug your phone into your computer using the USB cable that comes with your charger. This is the most common and reliable method of transferring files to PC from Android devices.
Your micro SD card – Devices with micro SD card support can transfer files much like flash drives. You use a file manager app to move the files to the SD card, pop it out of your phone (after turning it off, of course), and then use an adapter to put it into your card reader on your laptop or a different adapter to connect it to your computer’s USB drive.
Android’s Nearby Share feature – Android’s Nearby Share utility works a lot like Apple AirDrop, but for Android. You can quickly share small or large files with devices right next to you. This only works from one Android device to another Android device, but it’s still a method to move files around.
Conclusion
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