Traditional file sharing methods, such as email and USB drives, often fall short in terms of speed, security, and convenience. They are time consuming and prone to errors. A mobile file sharing app can give you instant access, simplify processes, and ensure seamless collaboration even when away from the desktop.
With the added advantage of flexibility and mobility, mobile file sharing apps enable managers to keep up with scheduled meetings and appointments while on the move. However, selecting the right one can still be confusing.
To help you pick the right mobile file sharing app, we looked at 2M+ unique user reviews to see what users had to say and highlighted the top five file sharing apps based on sentiment analysis of reviews, arranged in order of percentage of positive reviews.
Products mentioned in this article are dedicated file sharing platforms, with common features such as file storage, editing, and search capabilities.
1. Dropbox Business
Trial/Free Version
- Free Trial
- Free Version
Device compatibility
Dropbox Business is a file sharing and storage solution with a mobile app that can be used to transfer large files—up to 100MB for free and up to 100GB on the paid plans per transfer. The software allows you to add a password or expiration date for your files to ensure complete confidentiality and control. Once you share files, you’ll receive notifications and viewership status on your mobile device. The app also offers an image search feature that can be used to locate image files quickly.
Customer support: Phone, emails, and chat.
Mobile starting price: Available with the desktop version
Who should consider Dropbox Business mobile app?
Professionals looking for a solution to specifically share large files, such as design files and presentations, can consider the Dropbox Business mobile app. The app can significantly benefit creative teams who often work on files with high-resolution images and videos. With the image search feature, they can also locate specific images, including design elements or brand images, among a vast collection, which can further help their creative projects.
Example of a review excerpt from users who have used Dropbox Business mobile app:
“'I love Dropbox because I can upload a file or save a file to my Dropbox folder and then I can open my Dropbox app on my phone and it's already there and readily available.”
Read all Dropbox Business reviews here.
2. Google Drive
Trial/Free Version
- Free Trial
- Free Version
Device compatibility
Google Drive is a file sharing platform that enables users to store, access, and share files online. With a mobile app for iOS and Android users, the app offers encrypted and secure access to files with built-in protections, such as spam filtering and virus detection, that proactively scan the shared files for malware, ransomware, spam, or phishing attempts. This helps minimize the risk to the user’s device. It also features a suggesting mode that can be used to suggest changes to a document without altering the original text.
Customer support: Phone, emails, and online help center.
Mobile starting price: Free with a Google account
Who should consider Google Drive’s mobile app?
Professionals and businesses with a Google account looking to transfer and collaborate on files securely can benefit the most from Google Drive’s mobile app. Besides having built-in protections, Google Drive offers integration with native collaboration apps, such as Google Docs, Google Sheets, and Google Slides, that enable teams to improve real-time collaboration on files. Moreover, it helps users locate files using multiple filters, such as file type, location, and modification date. Google Drive mobile users can also use the app to capture a file using the device camera and upload it as a PDF or an image.
Example of a review excerpt from users who have used Google Drive mobile app:
“Great app overall.', 'Secure file sharing, organized app, great design interface, Free to certain amounts of data, and most importantly, user friendly.”
Read all Google Drive reviews here.
/ Pro tip
Shortlist a file sharing app that allows users to access, view, and download files without an internet connection. A mobile app's offline access feature is especially useful when users face network connectivity issues.
3. Box
Trial/Free Version
- Free Trial
- Free Version
Device compatibility
Box is an online content management and file sharing platform that helps users manage content and securely share files via a mobile app. The platform supports different file categories, including text-based documents, images, presentations, audio, video, and compressed files in the web and desktop versions. Box’s app lets you preview over 120 file types, including MS Word, Excel, and PDF, before downloading them. Users can make changes to a shared file, and the updates will automatically sync for everyone to ensure they get access to the latest version.
Customer support: Phone, knowledge base, and online inquiry form.
Mobile starting price: Available with the starter plan
Who should consider Box mobile app?
Business professionals looking for an app to preview shared files, including spreadsheets and documents, without additional software, ensuring easy access on the go, can consider Box. With the file preview feature within the app, the platform makes it convenient for professionals to access various file formats. Users can easily preview files sized up to 500MB and video files up to 3.5 hours.
Example of a review excerpt from users who have used Box mobile app:
“All in all, I recommend this software for storing and sharing files. I like how easily I can share and store my files with this software. I use mostly mobile applications of this software, and it works great. I do not see any negative side of this software. It works quite good.”
4. WeTransfer
Trial/Free Version
- Free Trial
- Free Version
Device compatibility
WeTransfer is a file transfer platform with a mobile app for file sharing. With this app, you can share files with images and videos in original quality. The tool lets you delete transfers if you accidentally included a wrong file. You can also change the expiry date of your files and enhance security using the password protection feature. The app also offers an overview of your transfer history, including the transfer's name, size, and expiration date.
Customer support: Knowledge base and online request form.
Mobile starting price: Available with the free plan
Who should consider WeTransfer mobile app?
Professionals concerned about data privacy or sensitive information can use WeTransfer’s app to ensure that shared files are permanently removed from the servers once the recipient has downloaded them. The delete transfer feature in WeTransfer enables mobile users to discreetly delete files even after sending them to clean up accidental mistakes. Additionally, professionals managing multiple file transfers for work can benefit from the overview feature in the app that offers a clear record of all past transfers.
Example of a review excerpt from users who have used WeTransfer mobile app:
“A file transfer app that I can depend on without having to worry about lost files or hacking. Easy to use software. User friendly to navigate, there is not much to say negative as I haven't had any experience on that front.”
Read all WeTransfer reviews here.
5. OneDrive
Trial/Free Version
- Free Trial
- Free Version
Device compatibility
OneDrive is an online file storage platform by Microsoft that allows businesses of all sizes to manage, share, and collaborate on files. The tool has a mobile app that lets you open files in Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. It also has a scan feature that lets users turn a document, whiteboard, or business card into a PDF file and save it in the OneDrive app. The app offers multi-page scanning, helping you combine multiple scans in a single PDF file and share it with others.
Customer support: Phone, chat, and online help center.
Mobile starting price: Free
Who should consider OneDrive’s mobile app?
Professionals who use Microsoft Office applications, such as MS Word, Excel, or Outlook, can opt for OneDrive’s mobile app as it integrates with Office apps, making file sharing and collaboration more efficient for users. Other than the capability to capture multiple pages and create a cohesive document for file sharing, the app also includes options to annotate PDF files to facilitate collaboration and feedback sharing.
Example of a review excerpt from users who have used OneDrive mobile app:
“I love using OneDrive for document management. I have been using it through my entire education. It help me manage and save documents for many years and lets me access it whenever I need it. I like using OneDrive because it provides me with cloud storage for my document. I can easily access my document on any computer if I can access my email. Also, there is a mobile app to allow me to access my documents through my phone. My documents synchronize between my computer and phone very quickly, so it quickly available. I think the only con about OneDrive is that it only provides 5 GB of free storage, and then you will have to pay thereafter.
Read all OneDrive reviews here.
/ Pro tip
Consider a file sharing mobile app that includes functionalities, such as real-time messaging, comments, version history, and simultaneous document editing, to facilitate easy interaction and smooth feedback collection while encouraging teamwork among users sharing files.
Mobile features of interest*
Here are some common features that you can expect in mobile file sharing apps.
Feature | Description |
|---|---|
Collaboration tools | Facilitate teamwork and communication using collaboration features in mobile file sharing apps. These features may include real-time editing, in-app messaging, commenting, viewing version history, file previews, and notifications. |
Document storage | Store and manage files, including documents and media files within the app. The storage is a repository for all shared documents and is accessed through the app. The feature often includes access control permissions, specifying who can view and edit particular files. |
Secure socket layer (SSL) security | Maintain the confidentiality and integrity of shared files during transmission by reducing the risk of data interception. SSL employs encryption to transform data into a secure format, making it unreadable to unauthorized individuals. |
File search | Locate specific documents, files, and content within the file sharing app using different filters, such as keywords, file types, modification date, and file size among others. |
Multiple format support | Handle and share files in various formats, including documents (PDF, Word), images (JPEG, PNG), audio (MP3), and video file formats without limitations. |
What are the benefits of a mobile file sharing app over a desktop version?
Mobile apps have become increasingly popular because they offer several advantages over the desktop version. Here is why you should consider a mobile app for your file sharing needs.
Benefits | Description |
|---|---|
Ease of use | With touchscreen interfaces and optimized designs, mobile file sharing apps offer a more intuitive experience, which makes it easier for users to navigate and find files. Moreover, mobile apps offer features, such as a camera and contact list, to click images and simplify file sharing directly within the app. |
Push notifications | Mobile apps often use push notifications to notify users whenever new files are shared or updated. This keeps them instantly informed without actively checking file updates on their desktops. |
Instant access | Unlike the desktop version of the software that is limited to specific locations, mobile devices allow users to access and share files virtually from anywhere instantly. This capability is especially useful for professionals who need to stay productive even outside the office. |
Add-on security features | Mobile apps use device security features, such as fingerprint or face recognition, app permissions, and secure folders, which ensure a higher level of security during file sharing. |
Frequently asked questions when selecting mobile file sharing apps
Here are some common questions you can ask your vendors while looking for the best file sharing mobile app.
Does the app offer customizable file sharing options?
The best mobile file sharing app includes the ability to control how files or their contents are shared. These options may include setting user permissions, shareable links with expiration dates, access levels, and downloading restrictions. Ask your vendor about any feature that can offer you flexibility and control over who can access, edit, and share content.
Is the app available for multiple platforms and operating systems?
Your shortlisted file sharing app should be able to work seamlessly across different operating systems and devices, including iOS, Android, macOS, and even Linux. This will help you access and share files, regardless of your operating system, ensuring a consistent experience.
Does the app support large file transfer?
An ideal mobile file sharing app should also be capable of transferring files that are of a considerable size. This feature enables users to share files that might be too large to send via traditional methods, such as email and text. Before investing, ensure your app enables users to transfer files with high-resolution videos and extensive datasets quickly.