How to Send Files More Than 2GB: The Ultimate Guide

Slow Upload and Download Speeds

Most internet providers prioritize download speeds over upload speeds. That’s because the average consumer spends more time streaming, browsing, and downloading than uploading. 

For example, a typical home internet plan might give you 200 Mbps download speed but only 10 Mbps upload speed. That’s fine for everyday use, but if you’re trying to send a 10GB file, that low upload speed will slow your team down big time.

In legal, healthcare, and finance industries, file upload delays can disrupt operations, impact clients, and even create compliance risks.

Security Risks

In 2023, the average cost of a data breach hit $4.45 million, a 15% increase in just three years. That’s a price no business wants to pay.

Transferring large files usually means more risk exposure. Here’s why:

• A longer transfer means more time for interception.

• More storage locations (email, cloud servers, local drives) increase attack surfaces.

• Weak encryption makes files easy to steal if intercepted.

The Best 4 Ways to Send Large Files

Luckily, there are some good ways to send files larger than 2 GB.

Secure File Transfer Platforms

Secure file sharing apps that let users safely send, receive, and store files using encryption and access controls. They protect files from unauthorized viewing or sharing. 

They offer some valuable features, such as:

• End-to-end encryption.

• Large file size limits.

• Fast upload and download speeds.

• Role-based access controls and audit logs.

• Compliance with industry regulations like HIPAA, GDPR, and CCPA.

TitanFile is the most secure file-sharing solution on the market. It’s as easy to use as email and even includes a Secure Send plugin to encrypt 100% of your email messages and send gigabytes of data without any trouble.

As a secure file transfer service, Titanfile provides:

• No limits on file size or quantity

• No storage caps

• Upload speeds up to 500 Mbps

• DocuSign integration

• Document watermarking

• Secure download links

• Easy folder and file management

See what Titanfile’s customers have to say about the platform.

Pros

• Automated security measures

• Multiple device support

• Seamless integrations

• Data retention policies and limits

• Communication tools available

• Easily shareable links with password protection

Cons

• Often require a paid subscription (free trials are available for some platforms)

• Only suitable for professional use (not suitable for casual users)

Cloud Storage Services

Everyone’s familiar with cloud storage—Google Drive, Dropbox, and OneDrive. These platforms simplify file sharing but still have file size limits, bandwidth caps, and security concerns. For example, Google Drive limits the number of files downloaded per day before it locks for 24 hours. 

Free user accounts get small storage quotas, and paid plans have tiered pricing. 

Read more: The Pros and Cons of Cloud-Based File Sharing

FTP (File Transfer Protocol)

FTP (File Transfer Protocol) is one of the oldest methods for transferring large files online. It has existed since the 1970s, long before cloud storage and secure transfer platforms existed. 

FTP establishes a connection between a client (your computer) and a server (where files are stored). Once connected, users can transfer files back and forth without worrying about email size limits or cloud storage restrictions. 

However, FTP has security weaknesses. It also requires setup and technical knowledge. 

Pros

• No file size limits

• Full control over data

Cons

• Traditional FTP lacks encryption

• It requires technical knowledge to set it up and use it effectively.

• It is not as convenient as cloud storage for everyday users.

• If server bandwidth is limited, large transfers can slow down.

USB Drives and External Storage

Even with cloud storage and high-speed internet, companies still rely on USB and external hard drives to transfer large files.

USB drives are also widely used in industries with air-gapped systems, where networks are deliberately isolated for security reasons.

But USB drives come with serious risks. In 2022, a Japanese contractor lost a USB drive containing the personal data of nearly half a million individuals. 

Worse, USB drives are notorious for spreading malware—one infected drive plugged into a single computer can compromise an entire network. That’s why many cybersecurity teams may restrict or ban USB usage in corporate environments.

Pros 

• No internet required

• High-speed external SSDs available

Cons

• Easy to lose or steal

• USB drives can spread malware between systems

• No remote access

• Can degrade over time

Feature	Secure File Transfer Platforms (TitanFile)	Cloud Storage Services	FTP (File Transfer Protocol)	USB Drives & External Storage
Maximum File Size	Unlimited	Limited (varies by plan)	Unlimited	Unlimited
Security	End-to-end encryption, compliance (HIPAA, GDPR, CCPA), secure links, access controls	Varies by provider, limited encryption	Traditional FTP lacks encryption	Vulnerable to loss, theft, malware
Upload & Download Speeds	Very Fast (up to 500 Mbps)	Moderate to fast (depends on plan and provider)	Varies by server bandwidth	Very fast (especially SSDs)
Convenience	High (easy interface, integration, plugins)	High (widely integrated, syncs automatically)	Low (requires technical setup)	Moderate (physical handling required)
Compliance & Audit Logs	Yes (Audit logs, document watermarking)	Limited (depends on provider)	Yes	No
Remote Access	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
Integration & Compatibility	High (integrates with DocuSign, Outlook, etc.)	High (integrated in business workflows)	Low (manual integration)	None
Cost & Subscription	$20 per individual per month with no contracts.	Free and tiered paid plans	From 0 (for do-it-yourself ) to thousands of dollars (For full FTP server configuration).	One-time purchase

How to Choose the Right File Transfer Method

The best way to send large files depends on your specific needs. If security is your top priority, a secure file transfer platform like TitanFile is the safest choice.

Titanfile encrypts files, offers unlimited storage, and provides fast upload speeds—perfect for industries like healthcare, finance, and law, where sensitive data needs strong protection. It even lets you send larger files via email attachments through an Outlook plugin.

Here’s a screenshot from Titanfile’s platform:

For everyday business file sharing, cloud storage services like Google Drive and Dropbox work well. They’re great for personal use but have file size limits, bandwidth caps, and security concerns.

If speed and offline access are critical, USB drives and external storage remain useful, especially for massive datasets. 

At the end of the day, secure file-sharing platforms like TitanFile are the most recommended for businesses that need a balance of security, speed, and ease of use. 

Conclusion

Most people default to email or free cloud services because they’ve always used them. But these methods weren’t ideally built for sending large files. 

But large files often contain important data, and the wrong transfer method can expose it to security risks, failed uploads, or lost files. 

If you’re tired of hitting file size limits, slow uploads, or security risks, try TitanFile. No size restrictions, fast transfers, and full encryption. Start your free 14-day trial today!