The Weightlifters

1.Dropbox

Without a doubt,the most popular of these is Dropbox,which already has over a million users; and more than 200 million files are transferred through it every day. A cloud-based startup,Dropbox lets you access your files across multiple devices. All you have to do is install the Dropbox folder on your PC,laptop,phone or tablet,and everything that you save in the folder is automatically backed up on the cloud. So if you save photos on a folder on your PC,they are also available on your phone app.

Dropbox allows you to access your folders across devices,and open them online. Plus,you can share the folder with friends who can copy the files they need.

But Dropbox allows free transfers only up to 2GB,beyond that users have to pay $9.99/month for a 50 GB limit and $19.99/month for 100 GB.

2. Sendoid

Another cloud-based service called Sendoid is touted by many as the next big thing in the world of file transfers. Sendoid is unique for it does not upload your files on any server. It has placed its bets on peer-to-peer sharing so that file transfers are faster and much more reliable.

So,how does Sendoid work? Install the AIR-based app on your PC and select the file to transfer. Soon,the app generates a URL,which you can share with whoever you want to transfer the file to. As your friend opens the URL,the file starts downloading to his PC directly from your computer. However,both of you have to be online — or at least have to keep your PCs running simultaneously — for the transfer to go through.

Users can share files as large as 1GB using the online service (sendoid.com),depending on the configuration of your PC. For larger files,you need to install the app. The speed of the service will depend on the Net connections on both sides — a breeze if both users are on high-speed internet.

However,you can’t generate a link for your friend to download at his or her convenience. The process has to be initiated immediately.

Since the files are not stored in a cloud,there is no need for passwords to access it. Only those who know the specific link have access to the files. And the Sendoid service is totally free as you are not using the company’s resources.

If needed,users can send many large files to multiple users in a day,provided your Net connection has no data limits or speed issues. Sendoid is reportedly working on apps for iOS and Android.

3.Senduit

A similar free service is offered by senduit.com,which lets users upload files to the cloud and then share a link of the file for transfers. Senduit also gives you the security feature of deciding how long you want the file to be online. But files can’t be stored on its servers beyond a week. Wetransfer.com goes a step beyond by letting you store the files for a fortnight and allows you to email the link from the site to multiple locations.

So,farewell to that expensive courier,after all.