Files over 5 GB — think 4K video projects, game files, scientific datasets, or complete photo shoots — push the limits of most file transfer services. Here's what works at this scale.
Your Options for 5 GB+ Files
1. Cloud Storage Services (Best for Most)
For files over 5 GB, cloud storage services are often the most practical option:
- Google Drive: 15 GB free, 100 GB for $2/month
- OneDrive: 5 GB free, 100 GB for $2/month
- Dropbox: 2 GB free, 2 TB for $12/month
- iCloud: 5 GB free, 50 GB for $1/month
Upload your file, share a link, done. The downside: files persist in your storage until you manually delete them, and recipients may need accounts.
2. WeTransfer Pro — $12/month (Up to 200 GB)
WeTransfer Pro handles files up to 200 GB, making it one of the few dedicated transfer services for very large files. At $12/month, it's a solid option for video professionals and creative agencies.
3. Masv — Pay-per-use (Up to 15 TB)
MASV is designed for video production, charging $0.25/GB with no monthly subscription. For occasional massive transfers, the pay-per-use model can be more economical than a subscription.
4. FTP/SFTP — Technical but Unlimited
If you have server access, SFTP handles any file size. It's fast, secure, and reliable — but requires technical setup. Best for developer-to-developer or automated workflows.
5. Physical Transfer (For 100 GB+)
At very large scales (50-100+ GB), mailing a USB drive or external hard drive can actually be faster than uploading. Amazon Web Services even offers a "Snowball" service for shipping petabytes of data.
What About FileDroppy?
FileDroppy's Pro plan supports files up to 5 GB. For files at exactly 5 GB, FileDroppy Pro works well at $6/month. For files significantly larger than 5 GB, we recommend the cloud storage or specialized services listed above.
For files under 5 GB, FileDroppy Pro offers the best combination of simplicity, security (virus scanning, password protection), and price.
Upload Time Estimates for 5 GB
| Connection Speed | Estimated Upload Time |
|---|---|
| 10 Mbps | ~68 minutes |
| 50 Mbps | ~14 minutes |
| 100 Mbps | ~7 minutes |
| 500 Mbps | ~80 seconds |
| 1 Gbps | ~40 seconds |
Tips for Large File Transfers
- Use a wired connection — Wi-Fi can be unreliable for large uploads
- Choose services with chunked uploads — they can resume if the connection drops
- Compress if possible — ZIP or 7z can save significant space for documents and code
- Avoid peak hours — upload during off-peak times for faster speeds