file.io’s 100MB File Size Limit — Switch to FileShot (10GB Free)
— Written by Brendan G., Founder & Developer
file.io is a simple, fast file-sharing service—but its free tier caps uploads at 100MB and auto-deletes files after the first download. If either of those constraints is blocking you, this guide explains what your options are and how FileShot compares.
What is file.io?
file.io is a file-sharing service focused on simplicity: drag a file, get a link, share it. Its most distinctive feature is “ephemeral sharing”—files are deleted automatically after they are downloaded, or after a set time window passes.
That makes file.io useful for one specific scenario: sending a file to one person exactly once, where you actively want the file to disappear afterward. For anything outside that scenario—sharing with multiple recipients, large files, files that need to persist for days, or files that require password encryption—file.io’s limits become obstacles.
file.io’s File Size Limits & Restrictions
Free tier
- Maximum file size: 100MB per upload
- Auto-delete: File is deleted after one download (or you can set an expiry time of up to 7 days)
- Downloads: 1 (one-time download enforced)
- Account: Not required for basic use
- Encryption: Server-side encryption for storage; no zero-knowledge or end-to-end encryption
- Password protection: Not available on free tier
Paid tiers
file.io offers paid plans that increase the per-file size limit to 5GB and add features like multiple downloads, longer expiry windows, and API access. Even on the highest paid tier, the file size cap of 5GB is well below what daily users working with large video files, design packages, or dataset archives often need.
The practical problem with 100MB
A single RAW photo from a modern DSLR is 25–50MB. A 1-minute 4K video clip is 400–800MB. A Photoshop file with layers is typically 100–500MB. A zip of a small software project can easily exceed 100MB. For most non-text files, the 100MB limit is not a ceiling—it’s a wall you hit immediately.
file.io vs FileShot: Feature Comparison
| Feature | file.io Free | FileShot Free |
|---|---|---|
| Max file size | 100 MB | Unlimited |
| Auto-delete after download | Yes (forced) | Optional (your choice) |
| Link expiry control | Up to 7 days | Up to 90 days |
| Password protection | Paid only | Free |
| Zero-knowledge encryption (AES-256-GCM) | No | Yes, all tiers |
| Download count limit | 1 (hard limit) | Unlimited (or set custom) |
| Account required | No | No |
| Metadata scrubbing | No | Yes (free tool) |
| Virus scanning | No | Yes (free tool) |
| Browser extension | No | Yes (Chrome/Chromium) |
Why Users Switch from file.io
The 100MB limit stops real work
For plain text, code, or small documents, 100MB is fine. The moment you need to share anything made of media—photos, video, audio, design files, datasets, or software packages—100MB is not a ceiling you occasionally hit; it’s a wall you run into immediately.
FileShot removes this limit entirely on the free tier. You can upload a 10GB video, a 2GB disk image, or a 500MB CAD file and share it with a single link.
One-download deletion breaks sharing with groups
file.io’s enforced single-download deletion makes sense for sensitive one-to-one transfers. It makes no sense for sharing a file with a team, a client, or a larger group. Once the first person downloads it, everyone else gets a dead link.
On FileShot, files stay accessible until the link expires (up to 90 days on the free tier). You can set a download limit if you want one-time behavior—but it’s your choice, not a forced constraint.
No zero-knowledge encryption on file.io
file.io encrypts files server-side for storage, but the service holds the keys. That means file.io (and anyone who compels them legally) can decrypt your files. FileShot’s zero-knowledge mode encrypts your file in your browser using a key derived from your password. FileShot’s servers receive only ciphertext and are mathematically unable to decrypt it.
How to Switch to FileShot in 3 Steps
Go to fileshot.io
No account or installation needed. The upload tool is on the homepage. Drag your file—any size—onto the drop zone.
Configure your share settings
Zero-Knowledge Encryption is built in and always active. Optionally set a password for additional protection, choose a link expiry date, and set a download limit. Upload and share with one click if you want the simplest experience.
Copy and share the link
Once the upload finishes, copy the share link. If you set a password, send the link and the password through separate channels for security. Recipients click the link—no account required on their end.
No 100MB limit. No forced deletion. No account.
Upload any file, any size, free. AES-256-GCM encryption included.
Upload a File on FileShotFrequently Asked Questions
What is the file size limit on file.io?
file.io free accounts are limited to 100MB per file. Paid plans raise this to 5GB. Files are also deleted after a single download on the free tier.
Is FileShot free?
Yes. FileShot’s free tier supports files up to 10 GB each with a 90-day link expiry. No account is required.
Does FileShot delete files after one download?
No. By default, FileShot files remain accessible until the link expires (up to 90 days on free). You can optionally set a download limit to 1 if you want one-time behavior—but it is not forced.
Does FileShot encrypt files?
FileShot offers AES-256-GCM zero-knowledge encryption on all tiers. Your password and decryption key are used only in your browser and never reach FileShot’s servers. file.io offers server-side encryption for storage durability but does not offer zero-knowledge or end-to-end encryption.
Can I share a file with multiple people on FileShot?
Yes. A FileShot link can be opened by any number of people until it expires or the download limit (if set) is reached. There are no per-recipient restrictions.
Does FileShot require an account to download files?
No. Recipients click the link and download the file. No account, no sign-up, no friction for the person receiving the file.